Finally...all I needed was the CORRECT instrument cluster voltage regulator.
Now time to fill 'er up and see how accurate on the top end. Looks accurate here.
Had the car 9.5 years...only ran out of gas twice...and the wife was not happy when she was with me.
Rob
That's great Rob! Amazing how good it feels to see all the gages working. Mine all work but my gas gage is off. I do know that at quarter its empty. HRD
It's always a good feeling to have a good working fuel gauge. Running out of gas with the wife in the car does not go over too well.
Crap...now fuel gauge not working.
Needle all the way past empty. It was working, but then I ran the car pretty good and it went away.
I was using an instrument voltage regulator from Mac's, part number B9MZ-10804-C.
Tried another...nothing. Had battery unhooked when installing and regulator was screwed to back on panel with stock screw for ground before starting.
Temperature gauge not hooked to engine, but wires are hooked to gauge with no lead going to engine. Using aftermarket Sun Pro temp gauge with the 302.
Haven't pulled the fuel gauge to see if it is fried.
Frustrated.
ground the sending unit wire and the gauge should go to full.
Well, the book says " The amount of fuel in the tank does not affect the following test procedures. Turn the ignition switch ON, and check for voltage at the gauge feed wire. The voltage should oscillate between zero and about 10 volts. If ot does not, the instrument voltage regular is at fault (I guess we've already covered this), OR there is a short to ground between the voltage regulator and the gauges. Replace when necessary."
Got to be a short somewhere...
You may have lost the ground between the sender and the frame. I usually put a jumper wire from the sender to the body. John
Wow...I just got a great education on fuel sending units/gages. This info is not '57 Ford specific, but may be helpful resolving problems. I'm wondering if some of the members with issues are using aftermarket sending units with a close, but maybe not exact ohm range.
The first link is a troubleshooting guide, the second a product list.
http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=results/category_id=159/home_id=-1/mode=cat/cat159.htm
http://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/page/ptype=product/product_id=276/category_id=62/mode=prod/prd276.htm
Rich, that info is definitely worth a karma point. Maybe put the link in the tech area. thanks.......
Zap- :unitedstates:
I was waiting to see if others thought the same...I liked their approach of explaining/detailing it so a layman could understand it. lol...this old dog can still learn stuff as long as they talk to me like I'm 12.
Thanks guys...
I am electrically challenged, so I appreciate all the info!
Rob
Thanks Guys...
I just lost the ground because the o-ring I am using between the tank and sending unit is a tad too thick. I trimmed it down and needle is moving again.
Now to find a good o-ring that will seal good that is not too thick. Gas leaks out of the opening and makes people nervous.
Rob
I may be wrong, but I believe that calls for a cork gasket, not an o-ring
Quote from: RICH MUISE on 2014-09-20 17:48
I may be wrong, but I believe that calls for a cork gasket, not an o-ring
Rancheros and wagons use an O ring type gasket. It's not a conventional type O ring, more like a ribbon is the best I can describe it. I always though it was a strange design..
Yeah a ribbon-type came with the new sending unit I bought from Bob Drake. More like a rubber band that didn't really work/fit.
So, I bought a o-ring. I need to find some thing that will seal and maintain the ground. Gas leaks out of the top of the tank where the sending unit sits when filled to the top. Not good.
I have to just fill the tank until almost full. Having the gauge working is a big help!
Rob
Rob,
Thanks, a rubber band is a better description. Thats what I have on mine but I haven't had any leak issue and I've reused it on three senders. I did have to replace the O ring on the filler neck, that was leaking a little on a fill up. After trying two cheap repops that didn't work correctly I finally found an OEM. The twist on retaining ring should be tight enough to provide a ground between the sender and tank if the surfaces are clean..
Dennis Carpenter has correct sending unit to tank gasket part # B9AF 9276 A. It has a square cross section that fits in the groove in the tank. It fits 57/ 59 only. Sold quite a few when I was still a Ford dealership parts person.
Hope this helps.
Bill
Bill...
That's the same "rubber band"-type sending unit gasket that I ordered. I am still getting leakage thru the sending unit opening.
http://dennis-carpenter.com/fuel-tank-sending-unit-gasket/p/B9AF-9276-A/
What do you guys think about running a bead of gasket sealant resistant to gasoline like this...
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/PERI/29132/N2362.oap?ck=Search_N2362_-1_-1&pt=N2362&ppt=C1984
Please advise...mucho thanks!
Rob
I guess I've been lucky, after three sending unit changes with the same rubber band I have no leaks. I don't see any problem with using silicone if all else has failed.
Their fuel gauge is pretty cheap at $35, anyone try one?
Jim...
Do you lay the "rubberband" on it's side like it's pictured in the link below or get it to lay on the larger flat side?
http://dennis-carpenter.com/fuel-tank-sending-unit-gasket/p/B9AF-9276-A/
Having the gas leak out at the station is not a good thing!
Thanks...
Rob
Rob, I lay it on it's narrow edge just like in the picture, and still don't understand how it works.
Are you sure it's leaking from the sender and not the filler pipe? I had to replace the O ring on the pipe also.
When I fill up, there is gas around the sending unit area and drips to the ground, so I am assuming it is leaking from there.
More then likely that is where it is coming from. My other thought was if mine had leaked or leaks in the future I'm going to try using an Oring.....
Edit: How hard is it to access the sending unit on the wagons, I need to help a friend with one in the near future. On my Ranchero I have to remove 25 bed bolts first :005:
Quote from: hiball3985 on 2014-10-28 10:16
Edit: How hard is it to access the sending unit on the wagons, I need to help a friend with one in the near future. On my Ranchero I have to remove 25 bed bolts first :005:
Accessing the sending unit on wagons is easy. There is an access port next to the spare tire well, see photos.
Is there a part number for the O-ring that goes on the filler tube. Mine is a bit worn and I recall a leak there at one time.
Thanks!
Rob
Thanks Rob, that will be a piece of cake to do. I got my O ring at the local hardware store.
Thanks Jim...
I found an o-ring at O'Reilly Auto Parts that seems to fit nicely on the filler neck and snug when inserted to the tank.
Next fill-up should tell if all is sealed.
Rob
Filled up...no run runs, no drips, no errors...all sealed.
Feeling good about getting gas again...and I know when I need it!
Rob
That's good news and a perfect time to fill up while the prices are down..