Fuel Gauge

[v8danh]

Originally Posted by engine24355

Thanks for the information guys. I have been researching and think I can do this without too much trouble (I have been wrong before). I have SW Wing gauges in my bucket now so I would like to match the look and then match the ohm for the sender. One question I have is with the poly / plastic tank I currently have. Will I need to use a sender instalation kit (mounting plate etc.) or can I just bolt the sender directly in the tank? Thanks again and keep the advice coming.

i have an aluminum round tank and had to cut the hole for my sender and while tightening the screws on of them stripped and i dug around in some spare parts drawers and found some small thin metal tabs that slide over the edge of the tank metal and the screw threads into it instead of the aluminum.i cant remember what they are called but they are comonly used in most cars to mount the fenders.these are the same thing only smaller.might work well for the plastic in your situation.

[Luggy]

The only advice I can give is get rid of the stick, BUT not until you install a gauge. Sounds like the '61 VW Beetle I had...no gas gauge in it and I too had to use the ol' stick. The following year is when they began to install fuel gauges.

Who's gauges are you running? You'll want to stay with their fuel sender just to keep things on the up and up. I've found in the past when you begin mismatching components, it ends up being a bigger headache.

If you have Autometer or Stewart Warner or whomever, they have comp[lete instructions with the sending unit as far as the ohms and how to install. You do NOT want to break out the hole saw until you get the required sending unit though...and don't go saying now..."duh, I know that." Well I do NOT know from persoanl experience, but I know of someone who did theis and they were NOT a happy camper.


Don't know if any of this helped.

Luggy

[Luggy]

You might want to call SW up on this. Explain what you have and I'm sure they'll be able to fix you right up. With the poly tank, you're basically dealing with a "boat" application, but with 4-wheels.

Luggy

[engine24355]

Thanks for all the help guys. I actually talked with the tech guys at Speedway motors on what they carry and they were very helpful. I know what sender I need now to match up with the SW gauge I want. I just need to figure out the best way to mount in the tank using what has been suggested. Thanks again for all of your help.

[putz]

I would hook up the sender to gauge wires to make sure gauge reads right before drillng hole.

[engine24355]

Originally Posted by putz

I would hook up the sender to gauge wires to make sure gauge reads right before drillng hole.

Good idea.

[engine24355]

Okay, I got the new gauge and sender working. That is the good news. The bad news is that after I installed the lighting in the gauge (tabs hold light socket etc. in back of gauge) it fell back out because half the tabs broke off...UGH. I thoguth I did it wrong at first, but then realized the metal tabs were just too weak (bad metal or batch of metal). I have been trying to call Stuart Warner about a possible replacement, but cannot get them on the phone. Any thoughts out there on if SW would even replace? All I need is the one wire and light sockete that pushes into the back of the gauge. Not a big deal, but seems like the tabs should not break that easily...you know. Either way, I have a working accurate fuel gauge that just needs to be mounted now (waiting on bracket).

[TheAntiBoyd]

how did you make out?

[engine24355]

Originally Posted by TheAntiBoyd

how did you make out?

Worked out great. I was able to get SW on the phone and they agreed that it sounded like a defective part. Long story short, was advised to check with the vendor (Speedway) first and SW would back me up if any trouble. Called Speedway and they were super nice. Sent out a new part the same day. Could not have been better service. Have the gauge in and mounted. Works great and even have a approx. 1 gallon reserve when the needle hits "E".

Two thumbs way up for Speedway Motors!

[Youngster]

Ol' Bills guy come through again!

Ron