Tips on Removing Gas Tank Sending Unit Needed

[lalessi1]

I am looking at replacing my fuel level sending unit. It appears to be original. It looks like it should rotate to come out but the  metal is thin and I don't want to mess it up by doing something stupid. I tried to turn it but it seems pretty immovable so far...

[BWhitmore]

The locking ring should be turned counter clockwise using a punch to tap on one of the ears to turn.  The sending unit can be lifted out after the locking ring has been removed.  Note the orientation of the sending unit before removal especially on a Ranchero or wagon.

[rmk57]

Soak it with wd-40 then let it sit overnight, that may help. They usally come out fairly easy with a sharp rap from a punch and small hammer.

[lalessi1]

Thanks, there was so much dirt even after I cleaned it as best as I could I couldn't see the stop tangs in the retaining ring. It actually looked like the ring was part of the sender at first. I went back and looked at catalog pics, Macs, Concours and Dennis Carpenter and finally understood what I was looking at. I was tapping the ring clockwise against the tangs, thank you BWhitmore and rmk57. It took 5 minutes tapping it the right way!!!!

[ROKuberski]

Lynn,

I got two sending units from Concours Parts.  I wish I could remember who made them, but they don't work properly.

I believe they should read 0 - 30 ohms, but they don't go to zero ohms.  I called and told them of the problem and they said their supplier informed them that the resistance didn't matter.  Well, as it notes in the service manual, it certainly does matter.  I have added a resistor to give me a correct reading when full, but I am out of gas when it shows 1/4 tank. 

I will be curious to see where you get your replacement sender and what the resistance readings are that you get.  I do know that my dash gage works just fine.

Rich

[lalessi1]

I actually just thoroughly cleaned the old one. Soaked it in my new favorite stuff (Evapo-Rust) and put it back in. The gauge now reads 3/4 full (instead of almost empty) which is about right. I will let you know when I run out of gas! 

[ROKuberski]

Lynn,

You should be good to go with the original sender.  Mine was rusted to oblivion, as was the gas tank.  I put in a new gas tank, new sender, new fuel pump and rebuilt the carb.  That sure helped to get all of the rust out of the fuel system.

If you ever get your sender out again, I would like to see what your resistance measurements are at full and empty.

Rich