Fuel gauge

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Nov 5, 2014 | 06:40 PM

Robrt32

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 103

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From: Darling,MS

Fuel gauge

My fuel had isn't working right. When I fill it up it doesn't go all the way to full. It goes just a little over 3/4. When it shows empty I still have half a tank or so. I put a new sending unit in the tank after the gauge stopped working and now I got this. I'm getting closer to a functioning fuel hand.lol What do I need to do?Any ideas?

Nov 5, 2014 | 06:52 PM

dlburch

Cargo Master

Joined: Jul 2005

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From: Kansas

either the new sending unit is incorrect (wrong resistance range) or the float could have a small pinhole allowing gas to enter..making it heavier and therfor won't "float" as high in the gas...

Nov 5, 2014 | 07:37 PM

77&79F250

Moderator & parts slinger

Joined: Feb 2007

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From: S/W Missouri, Polk county

If its new, it should of came with a new float, correct ? Have you cleaned the frame ground ? Did the float arm get bent in the installation process?

Nov 5, 2014 | 07:43 PM

Tedster9

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From: Waterloo, Iowa

They don't come with a float afaik. Replacement sending units are often adjustable for calibration of the gauge indication by means of a set screw on the float arm. Don't bend the arm.

Nov 5, 2014 | 08:11 PM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

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From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedster9

They don't come with a float afaik. Replacement sending units are often adjustable for calibration of the gauge indication by means of a set screw on the float arm. Don't bend the arm.

Genuine Ford fuel tank sending units come with the float and gasket, so do Carpenter's repro's.

Dunno if any other the other repro parts sellers/auto parts store replacement sending units come w/the float...or not.

Nov 5, 2014 | 08:33 PM

Tedster9

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From: Waterloo, Iowa

"They" didn't when I bought one several years ago. I used a cork, that worked for a while but eventually sank.

Nov 5, 2014 | 08:48 PM

NumberDummy

Ford Parts Specialist

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 88,826

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From: Simi Valley, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedster9

"They" didn't when I bought one several years ago. I used a cork, that worked for a while but eventually sank.

All Ford fuel tank sending units come with the float. If you bought one without the float, someone robbed it.

If a customer came to the counter and needed a float and the dealer was ought of stock, it was common to rob one from a sending unit.

Most partsguys remembered to replace the missing float, but some forgot. The float and the gasket were also available by themselves.

The float is the same: 1957/79 Passenger Cars/F100/350's; 1961/79 Econolines & 1966/79 Bronco's.

Pics of sending units in DC's 1967/79 truck catalog (page 41 in DC's 2011 paper edition) show the float with the sender.

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Nov 6, 2014 | 07:04 AM

Robrt32

Thread Starter

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 103

Likes: 5

From: Darling,MS

I bought it from Napa and yes it came with a new float. I don't see how it could have got bent installing. I will check the ground today.

Nov 6, 2014 | 08:44 AM

#10

Tedster9

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 19,311

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From: Waterloo, Iowa

No, some people bend the arm (on purpose) to try and calibrate the gauge indications. Instead, use the set screw provided to adjust float height. In particular, bending the arm won't work if the gauge reads low with a full tank.