I replaced the tank and sending unit in my 56 t-bird, Its been a couple of months now I'm getting back to connect the wires, My question is there is a short wire a few inches long with a small resistor and a tab for a screw and a connector on the other end that connects to the tank sending unit but I cant remember how, there is only one threaded stud on the new sending unit for the wire coming from the gauge, so I'm thinking there was a double tab on the old sending unit and the resistor end mounted to one of the screws on the unit to tank and the other end to the ?
56 T-bird fuel sending unit
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dmsfrr
Well-known member
It's all coming back to me now.......
Does it look like this one?
Yes IIRC the old sending unit had a double flat connector that wasn't intended to be a removable part.
If you've still got the old sender you might be able to carefully drill out the mounting rivet from the old double connector and reuse it.
If you don't have a double connector to re-use, the fix is simple.
You can look at an auto parts store for another flat terminal that matches the new one on the center stud of the sender and add it on to connect the capacitor. It may come in an 'assortment' box, they might even have double connectors.
Or...
Clip the old terminal off the end of the black capacitor wire, leaving it as long as possible, and use a small crimp-on 'ring' terminal to connect the black wire to the center terminal of the sender unit, and yes, the mounting tab on the capacitor to one of the sender mounting bolts.
Adding a ground wire from a sender mounting bolt to the cover screw on the body probably isn't a bad idea.
Does it look like this one?
Yes IIRC the old sending unit had a double flat connector that wasn't intended to be a removable part.
If you've still got the old sender you might be able to carefully drill out the mounting rivet from the old double connector and reuse it.
If you don't have a double connector to re-use, the fix is simple.
You can look at an auto parts store for another flat terminal that matches the new one on the center stud of the sender and add it on to connect the capacitor. It may come in an 'assortment' box, they might even have double connectors.
Or...
Clip the old terminal off the end of the black capacitor wire, leaving it as long as possible, and use a small crimp-on 'ring' terminal to connect the black wire to the center terminal of the sender unit, and yes, the mounting tab on the capacitor to one of the sender mounting bolts.
Adding a ground wire from a sender mounting bolt to the cover screw on the body probably isn't a bad idea.
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morrisgauge
Member
Your original sending unit was a King Seeley points style sender and the "capacitor" is to reduce interference. Your original 1956 gauges are 1956 only as they are the first year King Seeley attempted a 12 volt system. The gauge movement and all senders have a different wind composition on the points and bimetallic strip windings. I would be wary of aftermarket senders. My customers have had bad luck with most.
www.morrisgauge.com
www.morrisgauge.com
dmsfrr
Well-known member
Thanks for the info.
Since it's a replacement / different(?) type sender is the capacitor still necessary?
I'll keep an eye on the one I put in (in the photo). It is half of a made-for-12v sender/gauge pair I bought to replace the ones in a 12v converted '55. It will be a while before I know if it works correctly or not, I haven't finished assembling the new engine.....
morrisgauge
Member
Not knowing what you have purchased, you likely have a standard rheostatic type sender that has no points and hence no pulses. Therefore the interference capacitor would be obsolete.
www.morrisgauge.com
www.morrisgauge.com
dmsfrr
Well-known member
You're right. It's the # 9280B at the bottom left of the second page at this link. I won't worry about hooking up the capacitor then, Thanks.
http://www.classictbird.com/Fuel_System.pdf
This question is for MorrisGauge, I live in the Portland Metro area and didn't know you were local. I have the 56 bird in question, after reading your post about the after market sending units what other options are there. My original unit was so bad it just fell apart and beyond repair.
An aftermarket sender in a 56 Ford cannot work correctly with the original gas gauge. You have to replace the gauge with the same technology as the aftermarket sender. The Tbird catalogue guys sell the set for $150.00. NOS king seeley senders which are exclusive to 56 Fords can be $300.00.
Email this guy. He says he can fix the 56 ford sending unit no matter what shape it is in. He said he could give an estimate after he gets the unit but before he does any work to it. He told me the price would usually be between $75 and $175 plus parts. His email address is sendingunitguy@gmail.com
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
The original fuel sending unit had a one-piece dual push-on terminal at the top with the terminals at 180 degrees apart. The sending unit wire hooked to one terminal and the capacitor (condenser) wire connected to the other. the capacitor was mounted and grounded by one of the sending unit mounting screws.
The purpose of the capacitor was to help keep the fuel guage needle relatively steady at times when gasoline is sloshing back and forth in the tank.
You may not need this capacitor anymore if you are using a modern type sending unit, but if you wanted to keep it I recommend getting the capacitor checked befor re-installing.
The purpose of the capacitor was to help keep the fuel guage needle relatively steady at times when gasoline is sloshing back and forth in the tank.
You may not need this capacitor anymore if you are using a modern type sending unit, but if you wanted to keep it I recommend getting the capacitor checked befor re-installing.
Daves55Sedan
Well-known member
Yep, that's the guy I had rebuild my '56 Ford sending unit. Anybody wanna buy a barely used aftermarket sending unit? Haha.