I don't understand how you can measure resistance on an original Ford fuel sender. It uses a bimetalic strip and with a multimeter should read as near zero resistance when no voltage is applied. With voltage applied, the strip heats up and the points opens up, then the strip cools off and the points close again. Depending on the lever position, the dwell of its closure is more or less (more when the tank is full). The same is repeated at the gauge.
I don't have a Drake sender, but if it is made like the Ford sender, it can be adjusted. Remove the cap and you will see a knob which raises or lowers the tension on the bimetalic strip. I adjust mine so the gauge reads empty when the float is at the lower end and don't really care how far off it is when the tank is full. Those old Ford sensors (and the new 2010 fuel sensors) aren't that accurate in any event. And with age even the 80 year old NOS sensors have lost some elasticity.