1957 Gas Gauge Accuracy

[PeteC]

My recent '57 purchase came with the need for a fuel sending unit and the gas gauge didn't work. The sending unit was replaced with a new one from Tee Bird Products. The gas gauge now works, BUT it is not accurate. While displaying 1/4 tank remaining, it is only 1/2 empty (accepting 9-10 gallons to "fill"). Even at fill right from the pump I notice it doesn't get all the way to "F".

Is there any way to adjust or recalibrate this gauge?

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[Jim B.]

Just curious if you tested the sender before installing? When you manually actuate the float, can you make the gauge swing from E to F?

 

[PeteC]

I didn’t do the install. I will share that question with the gent who did. Thank you!

 

[Rust]

This won't answer your question, but I own 3 baby birds and all 3 gages are not accurate. I have a small note pad, I keep track of milage, figured my MPG, and watch the miles, filling up when it is about time.

 

[Tom Alpers]

I believe there is a notch and tab that are supposed to be aligned so that the sender is oriented correctly. Do you know if the tab and notch were aligned when it was installed? Here is some other suggestions made in the past...

 

[RogerV]

To my knowledge, reproduction sending units have linear rheostats as compared to the original variable rheostats. Therefore they will be inaccurate. If you have an original, they can be re-built by a gentleman in Arizona. There also is a device you can buy to add called MeterMatch. If I don't have a NOS unit or a re-buildable unit, I bend the float arm so I at least have 2 gallons at empty. Attached pics show the rheostat difference. (Don't know why second pic rotated on its own!)

 

[Hwoodlive]

Ditto to others on the made-offshore issue: accuracy optional. 😊 My '57 is empty at 1/8 tank (I have no idea if the sending unit is original or not), so I stuck a little P-touch label under the fuel gauge as a reminder. Sidenote on other Fords of the same vintage: while correct replacement gas tanks are available for '57-'58 Rancheros, the sending units they come with--stated as being correct for these cars--are laughably inaccurate, with readings as much as a half-tank off. My dad had a little thumbwheel odometer device he used in his VW to keep track of mileage and fill-ups, and not having had success finding one, I built something similar. 'Cause, you know, I'm much too lazy to remember the notepad-and-pencil method.

 

[cscolastico]

I recently drained my tank and replaced the sender because the gauge wasn’t reading accurately. The new sender improved things, but it was still off more than I liked. While I had access to the tank, I adjusted the rod holding the float, bending it slightly back and forth and checking the gauge after each change. Once I found the position that gave the best results, I reinstalled it. It’s not perfect, but it’s consistent and reliable. Since the sender was out of the tank, I had to estimate the full and empty positions, which may not have been the most precise method, but I’m satisfied with the outcome. I also tested the gauge by moving the float arm through its full range; it proved to be almost perfect, reading just a little low on the “full” side. Finally, I made sure the sender’s lowest position sat a couple of inches above the bottom of the tank, so when the gauge shows empty, there’s still a small reserve. Good luck!