fuel gauge float
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
fuel gauge sender float
my '72 has been showing a lower gauge reading over the last couple months
filled the tank to within 1/2" of the bottom of the fill neck, but gauge only shows just over 3/4 full
have tried the simple electrical test procedure from Willcox, all checks out ok
so i bent a coat hanger, inserted into the tank and lifted the float, gauge goes to full tank
pressed the float down to bottom of tank, gauge goes empty
so, thinking out loud, could the float be flooded?
it looks like it's "floating" with less than 1/2 of it visible
filled the tank to within 1/2" of the bottom of the fill neck, but gauge only shows just over 3/4 full
have tried the simple electrical test procedure from Willcox, all checks out ok
so i bent a coat hanger, inserted into the tank and lifted the float, gauge goes to full tank
pressed the float down to bottom of tank, gauge goes empty
so, thinking out loud, could the float be flooded?
it looks like it's "floating" with less than 1/2 of it visible
Last edited by riverracer au; Apr 19, 2012 at 04:54 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Before replacing the float assembly (big job), find the ground wire for its sensor (fuel tank area); remove that connection, clean surfaces of all parts, and reconnect it. That corrosion could be causing the errant reading and its a simple thing to try.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
have had holley brass floats leak b4 on my old ski boat, thats why i thought it might be a problem here.
the sender float seem to be sunk, rather than floating
will look at the ground to frame wire and check there first
the sender float seem to be sunk, rather than floating
will look at the ground to frame wire and check there first
Racer
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 437
Likes: 3
From: Alvin Texas
I replaced my pump and gauge assembly about 8 months ago, my gauge started reading about 3/8 and lower. After doing every check short of pulling the pump/gauge I pulled it. The float was fuel soaked ....would not float. Swapped the heavy float for the original...every thing works now. I guess the off shore parts just might bite ya. By the way it was purchased from a well known vendor. By the way mine is an '82.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
been looking at the various vendors, and nobody sells the float on it's own.. 
looks like a job and a half removing the sender unit anyway.
guess i'll live with it till i need to order someting else.
unless i make one at work
looks like a job and a half removing the sender unit anyway.
guess i'll live with it till i need to order someting else.
unless i make one at work
