Reproduction Parts for 1916-1964 Chevrolet Passenger Cars & 1918-1987 Chevrolet & GMC Trucks


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Joined: Jan 2015
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Rossco Offline OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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when tank is full it shows 3/4 full on gauge .when tank is empty it shows empty on gauge.i removed tank and tested sender unit with ohm meter it reads 0 to 33 ohms .i earthed the sender to chassis then moved arm up and down on gauge it showed empty when down and full in up position.installed back into car and put earth on mounting screw to chassis as before had no earth wire.it took 3 US gallons before gauge moved after 7 US gallons it showed 1/2 tank. does this sound right on an 11 gallon tank? i measured in US gallons. the cork float is in good condition.

Filling Station - Chevrolet & GMC Reproduction Parts


Filling Station


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ChatMaster - 4,000
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These gauges are by nature not very accurate. You might improve things somewhat by bending the float arm so the float sits lower in the tank.

I had similar behavior on my '37. I determined that the old cork was so saturated with gas that it did not float until it was fully submerged. So I installed a new cork float.

It worked great - for about 2 weeks until the cork got saturated again. So I "re-calibrated" my interpretation of the gauge. I knew that a full tank would read under full. When the gauge hit empty i knew I needed to head to a gas station.

Cork does not like today's gasolines due to the additives, even non-ethanol gas. I know that some people on this forum have adapted a brass float with good results. If I had kept my car I was going to try that.


Rusty

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Oil Can Mechanic
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I used a cork but I dipped it in a gas tank sloshing compound first and let it dry thoroughly. It has held up buoyantly for the last 6 years.


J Franklin
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Rossco Offline OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
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I have ordered another float.when I set the sender how many gallons do I have to put in for gauge to pass empty.

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Backyard Mechanic
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Backyard Mechanic
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My send is 6 years old and has read the same way since installed. I just fill it up when it gets to 1/4 tank

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Backyard Mechanic
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You will have to hook up the tank to the gauge when empty and off the car. One wire from the tank itself to the car chassis and one wire to the gauge. Bend the float arm down so you can hear the float touch the bottom of the tank as the sender unit is mounted flat on the tank flange.This is the most important position of the float. The float must just rest on the bottom of the tank. A gallon of gas should cause the float to lift. The full indication on the gauge is not as important as the empty indication.

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Rossco Offline OP
Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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i did this with the new floats and happy with the end result thanks.


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