1963 New sending unit shows wrong fuel levels | Ford Thunderbird club group 1955-2005 T-Bird models

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1963 New sending unit shows wrong fuel levels

  • Thread starter Thread starter ErC3
  • Start date Start date
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ErC3

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Thunderbird Year
1963
I have just replaced the fuel sending unit on my 63 T-bird. I got one of the aftermarket units from BirdNest. After installing it, it only reads 1/4 tank but the tank is about 3/4 full. I have removed the unit, measured the resistance at full and empty and it is correct. I have adjusted the float rod where it is correct for where empty and full should be. The float position pretty well matches where it was on the old sending unit at Empty and Full. While connected to the electrical terminal and grounded while outside the tank it shows correctly at Full and Empty on the fuel gauge on the instrument cluster. The swing of the float rod is free and doesn't hang up anywhere. But when I put the unit back in the tank, it reads 1/4 tank. The tank, which is about 6.5" deep at the sending unit, has approximately 4.5" of gas in it.
What am I doing wrong here?
What am I missing?

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ErC3 said:
I have just replaced the fuel sending unit on my 63 T-bird. I got one of the aftermarket units from BirdNest. After installing it, it only reads 1/4 tank but the tank is about 3/4 full. I have removed the unit, measured the resistance at full and empty and it is correct. I have adjusted the float rod where it is correct for where empty and full should be. The float position pretty well matches where it was on the old sending unit at Empty and Full. While connected to the electrical terminal and grounded while outside the tank it shows correctly at Full and Empty on the fuel gauge on the instrument cluster. The swing of the float rod is free and doesn't hang up anywhere. But when I put the unit back in the tank, it reads 1/4 tank. The tank, which is about 6.5" deep at the sending unit, has approximately 4.5" of gas in it.
What am I doing wrong here?
What am I missing?
Click to expand...
The gauge and sending unit that have been in my '64 since I bought it 8 years ago read similar to what you're talking about. When the 21 gallon tank is about half empty, the gauge reads maybe 1/8 full, so I track mileage so I know I'm not about to run out of gas. I do remember reading somewhere that the gas pickup in the tank cannot reach the final 3 gallons.
 
74 Harley said:
It sounds like you need to ground your tank.
Click to expand...
OK, so here's a question. How should the gauge read as the tank empties? For example linear, where the gauge reads half when the tank is half full? Or the gauge shows 3/4 full when the tank is half empty?
 
It should read in linear scale, half empty half on the gauge. The sending unit works as a variable ground, which is why the gauge reads full when you ground the line to the sending unit. A good tank ground is essential.
 
60,s Ford fuel gauges were NOT accurate, nor were most other makes. The cars I drove only gave an approximation of the fuel level. By the late 70's the fuel gauges were getting more accurate. If the fuel gauge read 1/4 tank there better be a gas station nearby.
 
Critterpainer said:
60,s Ford fuel gauges were NOT accurate, nor were most other makes. The cars I drove only gave an approximation of the fuel level. By the late 70's the fuel gauges were getting more accurate. If the fuel gauge read 1/4 tank there better be a gas station nearby.
Click to expand...
The gas gauge on my '64 absolutely accurately tells me how much gas is in the tank - but only when the tank is 3/4 full. More than that and the gauge reads high. Less than that and the gauge reads low and drops fast.
 
64ZCODE said:
The gas gauge on my '64 absolutely accurately tells me how much gas is in the tank - but only when the tank is 3/4 full. More than that and the gauge reads high. Less than that and the gauge reads low and drops fast.
Click to expand...
This is funny, right?
 
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