I need a fuel level sender for my 57 Ford Ranchero. It is evidently specific to the ranchero (and probably to the station wagon). Any suggestions?
-Bob Woods
there are a few of us waiting to see if a fix comes along, do you happen to have your old one? if it is out, would post some measurements?
I think the top part that coverts the tank hole dimension is different from the Car one, so besides the arm change it might have to be another model if something was modified to make something work.
If you do have your old one, there is a good chance someone can repair it also.
UPDATE I did more searching and the guy that was trying to make some, started selling just the arm, to add to the Car version. Over on Fordbarn.
If needed, www.tanksinc.com has some great troubleshooting info as well as parts, tech info, etc.
The Ranchero tank is different from others. This is what it looks like. It is 9" from where the sender mounts to the bottom of the tank. The OD of attachment ring is slightly less than 2.75" and the ID is about 2.135".
Ranchero fuel tank.jpg
Clearly, the sender in my Ranchero is not an original. It won't go to the bottom. When I had the wire connected with the power off, it seemed to have the correct resistance ranging from about 2 to 71 Ohms. But when I test it disconnected, the Ohms didn't seem to vary linearly and went to a maximum of 92 Ohms.
Ranchero fuel sender.jpg
I am going to open the cover to the sensor, and if I can get that working well, I will extend the float to go all the way to the bottom. However, I would really like to buy a new one. Any ideas?
Bob Woods
817 996 0707
Keep in mind the arm also has a dog leg in it to offset the float so it doesn't hit the side
Here are pics of an arm. But also this guy was trying to make some repop units and could not do it.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=190794
The sender in my Ranchero was too short to measure below about 40 percent. I added some length to it, but the sensor itself didn't work. I bought a new sender that also had a short arm and I added 3" to the arm so it had a full range of motion from the bottom to the top of the tank. I measured the ohms at different positions and connected it to the fuel gauge to see the display and positioned the float at different levels outside of the tank. It seemed perfect.
However, the float just barely floated or went to the bottom even with 30% of fuel height. I added a second float to try to help it float better, but it still wouldn't measure the 30% of fuel in the tank. When I added 5 more gallons, I did get a reading on the gauge, although it wasn't accurate or is only measuring to the top of the float. I'm a little confused on why it is not working properly. Now at least I will know when I reach 30% of fuel in the tank.
Would someone please post a photo of an original 57 Ranchero fuel sender.
Dual float calibration.jpg
I don't have a Ranchero sender but I have bought a couple of after market senders that weren't worth a dime. I finally wound up with a Tanks Inc. universal sender that works as advertised but I put it in an aftermarket non-stock tank. FYI there is a device called a MeterMatch that lets you adjust everything...
https://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=748/mode=prod/prd748.htm
Just a thought but I think the dual float will interfere with the top of the tank because of the tank design and you won't get a FULL reading. I'll try to get you a picture later this morning, still dark and cold here.
I happened across a junkyard 57 ranchero and made it a point to remove the sender.
I'll get pics of the sender in a bit. I'll be matching the arm to a replacement regular sender and see if it works.
Either way you'll get pics later today.
FYI, there is also a particular "clocking" or angle the whole sender should go at. I took a picture of the sender before I removed it so I can save that info as well.
I have a wonk-a-do aftermarket set up in my wagon. Been wanting to update it with an original style sender.
ABE, the sender has a little tab on it and a matching notch in the tank, it can only be clocked one way.
hope this helps, that may not be the original float. I noticed the upward angle your arm shows at FULL in your picture, mine is exactly horizontal .
sender.jpg
Here is a comparison. I used the new repop on my hardtop and it works well.
You can see the arms is slightly longer and the notch is in a different spot, in. If you were to modify this car version one to work on a ranchero.
BB7A48E3-6882-494C-B70D-E8BF67A655A2.jpegA850E28E-9243-4781-B17D-E861E797ABCD.jpeg912CC747-3565-4B36-B135-30992999054A.jpegAEC1F35C-F80D-492B-A451-F1D3BD9F16C8.jpeg912CC747-3565-4B36-B135-30992999054A.jpegA850E28E-9243-4781-B17D-E861E797ABCD.jpeg
I believe I have two senders I removed from two Ranchero/Wagon gas tanks. I'm out of town right now, should be back home in a couple of days. I have no knowledge as to the condition of these two senders, but I know I have no use for them, so Dr. Bob they are your if you want them. When I return, and get them in my hands, I'll send you a PM. I expect that will be Thursday or Friday.
John
John, I will be happy to pay shipping and extra for them and will report the findings here.
Abe, The hardtop has a symmetric tank that is not as deep as the Ranchero. The Ranchero has a thin middle section where the spare tire goes with deeper side saddle on the left side (see first post). It is 9" deep under the mount for the sender. A standard level sensor will not go deep enough to measure when you are out of fuel. It will probably say your empty when you are at half a tank.
Jim, I put safety wire to hold the float at the "full" position and rotated the sender back and forth. It clears both sides. Could you measure the distance from the pivot point of the arm to the center of the float on your sender? Unless the arm has more than 50 to 55 degrees of rotation, then the float won't go low enough to measure empty unless the arms are about 9" from the pivot point at the sensor to the center of the float.
-Bob
The pivot point to the center of the float is 7". In the empty position from the mounting flange to the bottom of the float is 8.25" if that helps any?
like this.
Ranchero fuel sender.jpg_thumb.png
See if these help.
0FAA05B4-B71D-4AC4-87E9-9407C28BC2B4.jpeg2A0BD63F-8318-48C8-BCCD-ECDB902D406C.jpeg
Dr. Bob, here are the Ranchero gas gauge sender parts that I have. They are not as complete as I recalled. They are yours if you want them. If you need only one of the lock rings, I'll keep the others, let me know please.
If you want them,send me a PM with your mailing address and I'll get them on their way.
John
(https://i.imgur.com/c1iOhCa.jpg?1)
(https://i.imgur.com/1vqUA3h.jpg)
Jim and Abe,
It looks like they have just taken a common sender and bent the shaft down so it will reach close to the bottom. That will let you know when you are getting close to empty, but it will show full at about 3/4 of a tank. I guess it is more important to know when you are close to empty instead of full.
John,
Your photos tell the story. If you would measure the distance from the pivot point of the arm to the center of the float, that will tell me what I need to know. I don't think you will need to mail them to me.
-Bob Woods
Bob, I'll take measurements with photos tomorrow and post them.
John
Dr. Bob.........Here are some photos, I hope they help. If the photos are not what you want/need please tell me and I'll try again. I get to Ft.Worth frequently and I can bring these parts with me on the next visit, if you wish.
(https://i.imgur.com/sFGtq8B.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/rimHW3x.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/vdpPNan.jpg?1)
John,
Thanks for the photos. I think those might not be original senders. As I said before, if the arm is that short it can't possibly measure from empty to full. You will be about a 1/4 of a tank off one way or the other.
You are welcome to stop by and see my collection the next time you are in Ft. Worth.
-Bob Woods
I guess you missed post#15 :001:
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2023-03-18 04:37I guess you missed post#15 :001:
Well, I see that you can't sleep........It's 20 minutes to three in Calif.!
Bob........They might be original. The measurements that "highball 3985" posted in post #15 , I believe match up to to my measurements in regards to the arm length.
I should add, that both of these old ,used senders are identical down to the smallest detail. One came from my Ranchero, which has been a local car for 30+ years, and the other came from a Ranchero parts car I bought in Dallas and hauled back to Kentucky. It's possible that both cars had identical aftermarket senders, and it's possible they are original equipment. I lean towards the pair being original, but readily admit, I don't know.
John
Quote from: KYBlueOval on 2023-03-18 04:44Well, I see that you can't sleep........It's 20 minutes to three in Calif.!
Another sleepless night, one of many lately :005: Your senders look original to me. I think the originals had a number on the mounting flange, I'll have to look again..
Bob, I have a suggestion on where to get the correct answer to your sender issue. Call Jerry Miller Restorations in Springdale Arkansas (479-750-1681). They do 100 point '57-'59 Ford restorations as well as sell parts, and have done several Rancheros. Jerry's son Terry usually answers the phone.
He is very knowledgeable and willing to share the information, and might have the answer to your question and possibly the sender you need.
John