gas tank sending unit

dynamic88 · November 7th, 2006, 08:16 PM

what is a gas tank sending unit and what is its purpose. i asume that it is what sends gas up to the carb, but i dont know for sure.

Oldsmaniac · November 8th, 2006, 06:02 AM

The sender is in the tank and consists of a float and a potentiometer. As the gas level increases or decreases the voltage to the dash unit changes and gives the level.

dynamic88 · November 8th, 2006, 05:24 PM

ok thanks. so how do you know if you need a new one or not. would it be if your gas gauge doesnt work?

and1stp · November 8th, 2006, 06:07 PM

It could be the sending unit, gauge or a wiring issue. I would start with making sure all of the connections/wires are good and connected. Then from there testing the guage and or sending unit.

bjtstarfire · November 25th, 2006, 04:17 AM

If your going to check the sending unit (i.e. its removed from the tank) look for approx. zero to 3 ohms in the empty position and somewhere between 150to 165 ohms from empty to full.

FYI

Yellow terminal is the empty and gray terminal is full.

You can find the same two wires under the dash to check continuity. That gest you past the tank connection, body connection, and instrument connector.

The guage is more complicated of a test.

Remove battery prior to testing any of this stuff.

dynamic88 · November 26th, 2006, 02:54 PM

Okay Thans For The Info

super88dan · December 5th, 2006, 08:45 PM

I just went through all that. I have a 1960 super 88. Fusick had the best price for sending units. The problem I had was the "sock" filter...
I bought mine through a chevy supplier. http://www.lategreatchevy.com/produc...dept%5Fid=1272
The sending unit is on top of your gas tank. I wasn't getting a reading on my fuel gauge so, I got the sending unit. (USA Auto Parts0 for $129.00) Fusick had the same unit for $69.00!
I dropped the tank (9 gallons of gas, premium still in it) took it to a shop to have it blasted, some shops still can do the "renue" process, they did something callled rattling, a process of shaking beads around to dislodge the chuncks of varnish, etc. Then, the spray an inhibitor.
At Late Great Chevy, be sure to check your size. 5/16 or 3/8
good luck.

Joeypete · July 12th, 2009, 09:01 AM

I just got one of these for my Custom Cruiser. The gas gauge doesn't go below 1/4 tank. Not a big deal but I have to take the tank off to fix some corroded spots anyhow so figured I might as well change out the sending unit too! Was only $35 from Rock Auto...good price.

J-(Chicago) · July 12th, 2009, 09:10 AM

This thread is from 2006.

$35 is a good price though haha.

Joeypete · July 12th, 2009, 09:15 AM

haha...yeah I know...I'm fairly new though and am still getting through all the threads

November 7th, 2006, 08:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
dynamic88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Bremen Ohio Posts: 219	gas tank sending unit what is a gas tank sending unit and what is its purpose. i asume that it is what sends gas up to the carb, but i dont know for sure.

July 12th, 2009, 09:01 AM	#8 (permalink)
Joeypete Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 216	I just got one of these for my Custom Cruiser. The gas gauge doesn't go below 1/4 tank. Not a big deal but I have to take the tank off to fix some corroded spots anyhow so figured I might as well change out the sending unit too! Was only $35 from Rock Auto...good price. __________________ 1986 Custom Cruiser 2009 Ford Focus SE Coupe

July 12th, 2009, 09:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
J-(Chicago) Seasoned beater pilot. Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,696	This thread is from 2006. $35 is a good price though haha. __________________ I'd rather have a numbers matching poker hand.

July 12th, 2009, 09:15 AM	#10 (permalink)
Joeypete Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 216	haha...yeah I know...I'm fairly new though and am still getting through all the threads __________________ 1986 Custom Cruiser 2009 Ford Focus SE Coupe

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November 8th, 2006, 06:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Oldsmaniac Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NJ Posts: 702	The sender is in the tank and consists of a float and a potentiometer. As the gas level increases or decreases the voltage to the dash unit changes and gives the level.

November 8th, 2006, 05:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
dynamic88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Bremen Ohio Posts: 219	ok thanks. so how do you know if you need a new one or not. would it be if your gas gauge doesnt work?

November 8th, 2006, 06:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
and1stp Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 44	It could be the sending unit, gauge or a wiring issue. I would start with making sure all of the connections/wires are good and connected. Then from there testing the guage and or sending unit.

November 25th, 2006, 04:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
bjtstarfire Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Greater Philadelphia, PA area Posts: 105	If your going to check the sending unit (i.e. its removed from the tank) look for approx. zero to 3 ohms in the empty position and somewhere between 150to 165 ohms from empty to full. FYI Yellow terminal is the empty and gray terminal is full. You can find the same two wires under the dash to check continuity. That gest you past the tank connection, body connection, and instrument connector. The guage is more complicated of a test. Remove battery prior to testing any of this stuff.

November 26th, 2006, 02:54 PM	#6 (permalink)
dynamic88 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: New Bremen Ohio Posts: 219	Okay Thans For The Info

December 5th, 2006, 08:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
super88dan Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 7	I just went through all that. I have a 1960 super 88. Fusick had the best price for sending units. The problem I had was the "sock" filter... I bought mine through a chevy supplier. http://www.lategreatchevy.com/produc...dept%5Fid=1272 The sending unit is on top of your gas tank. I wasn't getting a reading on my fuel gauge so, I got the sending unit. (USA Auto Parts0 for $129.00) Fusick had the same unit for $69.00! I dropped the tank (9 gallons of gas, premium still in it) took it to a shop to have it blasted, some shops still can do the "renue" process, they did something callled rattling, a process of shaking beads around to dislodge the chuncks of varnish, etc. Then, the spray an inhibitor. At Late Great Chevy, be sure to check your size. 5/16 or 3/8 good luck.

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