My fuel gauge wasn't working in my '67 Delta 88, and I determined that the problem was in the sending unit in the tank, so I removed the tank and float assembly. I could see that the float was binding in the unit in it which it sits (sort of like a tin can, with the fuel intake at the bottom through a filter). Anyway, I'm puzzled by the arrangement of the float with the resistor. There are two long pieces that the float passes over, and it make electrical contact with both. One is the fuel intake pipe, and the other is a thin strip of metal, the "resistor board," as the manual calls it. The float has two electrodes that contact the pipe and the resistor board. As the float moves up and down, the resistance changes, and that's what the gauge on the dashboard responds to.

My question is, are the two pieces (the pipe and the resistor board) supposed to be attached at the bottom end? I took a photo of the bottom end, and it LOOKS like these two pieces should be attached at the bottom, but I'm not sure. The service manual photo of this isn't detailed enough to answer this question. I would think they should be attached, because being loose like this, there is a fair amount of (physical) resistance to the float moving up and down, and it binds sometimes. I would think that this would make the operation of the gauge problematic.


Should these be attached (spot welded or soldered in some way), or should they be free like they are? Thanks!

 

From what I can see in your photo it looks like the tab should be soldered to the tube...my .01 cent...

 

I agree. It's hard to believe that it would be designed to just dangle like that.


By the way, does anyone know if the filter that attaches at the end of the intake pipe is available? It's often called a "strainer" or "sock." Despite my best efforts, I damaged the one that was there in taking apart the sending unit. (I don't think it was long for the world, anyway.) If it's not available, is there a good work-around?

 

I just got a filter for my Vista Cruiser from rockauto, tried the local parts stores and the GM dealers knew what it was but don't stock them. Year One has them , GM direct and other online GM parts places do also. You need the part number at rockauto or GM direct, aren't listed with the type car. It is called a "fuel pump strainer" at rockauto (newer in-tank pump terminology) and a "fuel tank gauge strainer" at GM. Mine has a 3/8" tube and took part number 5651702.
There is a number 5651711 also listed for a lot of cars which may be 5/16"?

http://www.rockauto.com/

 

Thank you! Mine has a 3/8" tube, also. I looked at the GM Parts Direct site, and they don't show a photo of it, unfortunately, but I may go for it, anyway, as it's only $9.00.

One concern I have, though, is that this filter looks like it attaches at the end of the tube (I saw a photo at Rock Auto), while mine actually attaches at a point along the long edge, sort of like the point at which you would blow into a flute as opposed to blowing into a clarinet, if you know what I mean. In other words, mine really looks like a sock. Anyone know if these can interchange?

 

Some updates on this.

I had a friend at who works in a metals shop solder those two pieces in the photo above together.

I also tried my local GM dealer for both the fuel intake strainer and the sending unit lock ring. My lock ring is ok, but it's a bit rusty and got a bit bent in loosening it. The parts counter guy at the dealer was great. He seems the kind of guy that takes every part as a challenge and won't give up until he's exhausted all possibilities. I thought both parts would be hopeless, at least in trying to get them through local parts stores or a dealer.

Well, he made a call to a local Carquest store, and they had the lock ring in a blister pack hanging on the display rack in the store. I was shocked. Apparently this lock ring was used for many years (the package says through 2005), but I still was surprised that I could find something to fit my 42 year od car hanging on the display rack. It was $8.00, and it's now mine.

As far as the strainer, the Carquest guy tried hard to match it but couldn't. The dealer parts guy said to come back if the Carquest guy couldn't help me because he "knew a guy" who works at a parts warehouse in West Virginia and who could probably come with a match. He wanted me to leave my damaged one with him so he could send it to this fellow in West Virginia. I readily agreed as mine won't work any more, anyway, and if this guy can get one, great. I should know if a few days.