VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 38 coupe fuel sending unit orientation

Bought a sending unit for my 38 coupe and adjusted it per instructions-length of swing arm and depth. My tank had what I believe was an early 50's unit and know it wasn't properly installed. So, which side of the tank(driver or passenger side) should the float end of arm be on? or Is the float arm positioned fore and aft? float closer to front or back of tank?
Any thoughts appreciated

The float should be as close to the center of the tank as possible. That will give a more consistent reading. If you run into an interference with a baffle then you may have to alter the installation.

In my '37 Master coupe the float arm was at right angles to the centerline of the car and pointed towards the center of the car. This orientation puts the float more along the front-to-rear centerline of the tank. That makes it less sensitive to changes in fuel height due to side to side movement of the fuel as you go around corners.

There is a slight hole pattern variation that will only let the sending unit go in one way. There is no way to put it in wrong & get all of the screws in.

I agree with Tiny. I forgot about the irregular pattern for the screws. The stock unit and tank only line up with one orientation.

Does your aftermarket unit have multiple hole patterns or some type of oversize or slotted holes?

My unit has five equally spaced holes. Tank is at shop and I will have to check, but the incorrect ac unit in the tank are evenly spaced too(as I recall) Will have to go check tank--after the race!
Thanks for the input

Lou #44888

They appear to be equally spaced but they aren't. If you measure center to center you'll find there are two that are farther apart than the rest. Just enough that you can only get it in one way.

You are right, everything lines up when you position it properly. Thanks to all who replied