1940 Ford gas Tank Sending Unit Question

19Fordy, I should have been more clear in my post. If you are running 12 volts and have the CVR on your gauges the sending unit from Yogi's will work. I've done four cars this way. The sending unit float assembly is adjustable.
 
Just had my 40 Ford standard gauges converted to 12v by Lee Kelly, who probably has done thousand of them, and he recommended the replacement sending unit 99A-9275 available from Carpenter, Drake and Yogi's. Got one from Carpenter; the ohm bench testing showed the sending unit was sending a reverse signal...full vs empty.

Double checked with Lee Kelly who said the unit did appear to send in reverse so I then called Carpenter and here is the response I got. I was told to send it back for credit and that they would not exchange it nor send me another unit even if I chose to buy another. There was no willingness to discuss the problem, the extent of the issue or defect which suggested to me that this is pervasive product problem which Carpenter attributes to the customer's ignorance or lack or knowledge. From Carpenter, this really surprised me. Not sure where to go at this point.
 
Enten, That sure is a "non customer friendly" response from Carpenter. Wonder what he would do if his 40 convertible needed a replacement sending unit.
 
Good question, 19Fordy.....I would have thought a better response would have been..."We have had such back luck with these units as it pertains to quality and satisfaction, we just can't sell and represent them anymore." And then follow through.

I've ordered a unit with the 6 hole adapter from Yogi's...they say it is made or at least assembled in Michigan by Classic Instruments. Hoping for the best.
 
It is possible to make a variable current indicator work with a variable resistance sending unit if they would engineer it correctly. The resistance band width has to be set up so the current heating the element in the indicator is correct for the band width that makes if function at least close to its normal readings. None of these guages were ever super accurate when they were new but they were close and that all us resto guys want.

I think the biggest problem with a lot of the suppliers now days is that they want to be percieved as the go to guy with all the parts a home resto guy will need and sell at prices that will get the customer back again. What some of them may not realize is that one little crappy part in the chain of things can sour a customer to ever going back to them for anything. They shouldn't sell a part that they know full well does not function as a new replacement part should. THe other thing I'm tired of is that one size fits all attitude. THere were at least a bakers dozen different lengths and ark movements for all the different FoMoCo sender units in the 6-volt era. If you make one adjustable it will likely readjust itself after banging around in a fuel tank for a time.
 
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Enten, Please be sure to report back on how you make out with the sending unit and adapter you are buying from Yogi's.
Rotorwrench, What you say about getting "stuck" with one bad or mis-respresented part from a vendor is so true. I think most of us very much appreciate vendors who have expended so much money and time into re-popping parts but, the bad taste of a negative customer relations experience remains for a long time - especially if the vendor has a "Tough luck. It's not my problem" attitude.
 
Good news! Ordered and received Yogi's Classic Instruments sending unit in 3 days!! Also returned to Carpenter's their sending unit and got credit within a week.

The Yogi's piece installed without a hassle.....directions were easy to follow and all of the parts were supplied. For the 40 Ford application however, the counter sunk machine screws supplied with the 5 to 6 hole adapter were slightly too long and substitution was made. No problem.

Best of all the Lee Kelly modified stock gauges seem to work well with the sending unit....the tank is full and so says the gauge. I'll also report soon if the gauge also reads empty!!!
 
Finally back to the challenge of the gas tank sending unit and installing the Yogi unit…..this after being derailed for weeks with vapor lock problems resulting in very little driving.
Here is the verdict as of today……..as background the 1940 standard gauge cluster was modified for 12 volts by Lee Kelly and installed. Upon filling the tank the gauge read full. However, soon thereafter the gauge fell precipitously to ½ and remained there for some time. Gradually, the needle fell toward empty and as it was very close to what I suspected was empty, I filled the tank….it took just over 11 gallons and it again registered full. As I drive the needle falls quickly as before.
I suspect the sender and gauge are not finely correlated, but it seems to be close enough for me….still, for the near future I will still carry a gas can!
Thanks to all for tips and advice.
Now on to why I’m getting only 7 mpg.
 
Enten, Thanks for reporting back. I am a little disappointed that your new sending unit didn't "accurately" register with the guage. it's funny, we can put a man on the moon, but this problem seems insurmountable.
 
Fordy I bought one and did as they say and no problems. I did make sure it had a good ground though.

The only thing I can say is that when I fill tank it goes over the full mark a little bit.

Mike42
 
mike42: Please let us know if it reads accurately at the E; 1/4; 1/2 and 3/4 mark.
I know theis will take some time, but please do report back.
 
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