Diesel sending unit in a gas tank

bobj49f2 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-18-2008, 07:49 PM

I normally post on the '48-60 board but I have a question that no one over there seems to know and I am hoping someone here can give me an answer.

I have a '49 panel truck that I installed a take off tank from a IH diesel truck. I want to use the sending unit that came with the tank but now I am wondering if I can use the diesel unit in a gas tank. Anyone know if there is a safety reason I can't use the diesel unit in a gas tank? I hate to find out the hard way

krewat · #2 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 05:25 PM

For something that old, the original gas tank was sealed but vented at the gas cap, or not vented at all, right?

The only thing I can think of is if the float will float at the same level in gasoline vs. diesel

But lets wait and see if anyone else has an opinion on this one...

bobj49f2 · #3 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 06:13 PM

Yes, there is a vent hose running from the top of the tank to the fill tube, above the level of the top of the tank. I'm not worried about the venting though, I have that covered, I am more concerned if there is a possibility that if I used the diesel unit there is a fire/explosion hazzard. My thinking is diesel is less flamable than diesel and maybe they used a different type system. I don't think they would but I just wanted to be sure.

krewat · #4 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 10:26 PM

I personally have no idea - I understand your quandary though.

Is the system a ground-reference gauge style thing, where it's not 12V running to the sender, but to the gauge first, and from the gauge to the sender?

bobj49f2 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-19-2008, 11:31 PM

Yes, 6 volt (+) goes into the gauge, from the gauge a wire goes to the unit, unit is grounded to the tank, and frame.

I hooked it up tonight and have it working. It might not be super accurate, probably as accurate as the stock set up in my '49 F-2. At least I have some idea of how much gas is in the tank. It didn't blow up, that's good!

krewat · #6 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:06 AM

Need to scatter-shield that tank?

The only thing that could be an issue is the sending unit itself sparking - it's just a glorified volume control (potentiometer).

What year was the IH?

bobj49f2 · #7 (**permalink**) 05-20-2008, 10:35 AM

I don't know the year of the sending unit. Actually the unit is a Ford, I didn't notice the Ford stamp on it, it's very small and light, until I installed it last night. The guy I bought the tank from said it came from an IH, maybe they used Ford tanks.