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

  • We're glad you found us via a search engine! Right now, you can join our club absolutely free and unlock member only features like the site search! This notice only appears once! It only takes 30 seconds to register, and we would love to have you as part of the World's largest Thunderbird Forum/Club! Click here to continue

1963 New sending unit shows wrong fuel levels

E

ErC3

Bronze Member
Reaction score
0
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?

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top