Gas tank sender unit.

[Made to last]

I am baffled over how the gas tank sender unit works on my 33 Tudor. It has a supply line and a very small copper line that runs to the gauge on the dash. I do not understand the principle of how it works. There are two cups one at half full and one at full. Any help would be great.

 

[petehoovie]

Does this look like the gauge you have?>

 

[Made to last]

No. I will post a picture when I figure out how to do it. The sender I am wondering about is mounted on top of the gas tank and the bottom goes into the gas tank. There are no floats just two cups at different levels.

 

[petehoovie]

"The sender I am wondering about is mounted on top of the gas tank and the bottom goes into the gas tank. There are no floats just two cups at different levels."


Like this one? >

 

[35fordtn]

They work essentially off of air pressure (very slight at that). In fact you can test a 32-35 fuel gauge by tapping the inlet connection very fast with your thumb, and then apply pressure.

 

[ford35lh]

" you can test a 32-35 fuel gauge by tapping the inlet connection very fast with your thumb, and then apply pressure."

Can you elaborate on this test,please ???

 

[35fordtn]

" you can test a 32-35 fuel gauge by tapping the inlet connection very fast with your thumb, and then apply pressure."

Can you elaborate on this test,please ???

Hard to describe without a video, but if you tap quickly with your finger on the inlet of the fuel gauge itself and then press your finger immediately hard into the opening you will see the fluid rise. This slight increase of pressure using your finger will allow the gauge to operated presuming the gauge works..

See this thread https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=92481

 

[DavidG]

They are know as hydrostatic gauges and were used on all Fords from '32 through the '35 models. The more fuel in the tank, the more air pressure in the air and therefore a higher level of red fluid in the gauge on the instrument panel. Those little cups on the tank sending unit help maintain the pressure to avoid gauge fluctuations when cornering or going up or down hills on less than a full tank of fuel. The air line tubing on the back of the gauge on the instrument panel is very small in diameter and if it is blocked, the gauge ceases to function. If there is an air leak at the fittings on the tank unit or the gauge or in the air line itself, obviously the gauge won't function as designed.

 

[Made to last]

Thank's to all who have responded. Yes that picture is what I have. I will clear the small copper line to the gauge. Everything else works good. Question: Does the tank filler cap need to be a tight seal to make this sender work?
Regards

 

[Karl]

Thank's to all who have responded. Yes that picture is what I have. I will clear the small copper line to the gauge. Everything else works good. Question: Does the tank filler cap need to be a tight seal to make this sender work?
Regards

No

However any leak anywhere in the system from sender to gauge will make it not work. A small pinhole in the solder on my sender stopped mine working. Once correctly set up I find mine to be surprisingly accurate .

 

[VeryTangled]

Hi Made to last, Notorious for being finicky these units are.

I'm not a '33 guy (and 35fordtn and DavidG MOST CERTAINLY are) but only the really dedicated owners that I know wrestle this beast successfully.

(Shush, but I converted my driver/beater '35 to a '36 sender and dash gauge and now I don't keep that 2 gallon can so close by.)

 

[TerryOH]

Look the sender over VERY closely even with a magnifying glass to make sure there are no cracks in ANY solder joint especially where the tubes go through the mounting plate and where they enter the brass fittings for the fuel line and the small air pressure line.