setting up 32 fuel gauge...

jim1932

jim1932

Well-known member
I have the instructions, but wondering how easy it is to set up a restored fuel gauge. How accurate are they?
 
Extremely accurate if the correct red fluid is used. Notwithstanding, it is advised to carry along a wooden ruler or paint stirrer to check the tank level directly every other stop.
 
DavidG said:
Notwithstanding, it is advised to carry along a wooden ruler or paint stirrer to check the tank level directly every other stop.
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Hi Everyone, Just me, but I always read DaivdG's posts a couple of times. Ever heard of E.F. Hutton?

Been stranded more than once (okay, more that three times) while my Dad was at the wheel. He loved T's. But the '36 is what we had the most fun playing with! We spent hours and hours on the fuel sender for it. I just top up frequently. Full is bad (spills on the fender), empty is bad.
 
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Not difficult to calibrate. Disconnect the airline and fill with red fluid to the empty line Reconnect the airline drive down to the gas station and fill to the brim. Hopefully the gauge will read fill. If not add or take away calibrating rods in the gauge until it does read fill-Calibrated -Karl
 
Karl said:
Not difficult to calibrate. Disconnect the airline and fill with red fluid to the empty line Reconnect the airline drive down to the gas station and fill to the brim. Hopefully the gauge will read fill. If not add or take away calibrating rods in the gauge until it does read fill-Calibrated -Karl
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should it be hooked up with a near empty tank?
 
Some time down the road, I would like to try to hook up my fuel gauge.
Are the original sender units known to work after 80 years. Or do they usually have to be replace and rebuilt? I am sure an 83 year old paint stick would work but would and original sending unit?
 
They are not failure prone and usually only require a thorough cleaning to function as new. The goo created with the breakdown of modern gasoline is their worst enemy as the tubing diameter for the gauge portion is quite small. Notwithstanding, the usual place for the blockage to occur is in the even smaller diameter tubing on the back of the gauge on the instrument panel.
 
Check the sending unit for clogged tubes AND small cracks in the brass cups. Clean well and solder cracks . Works well .
 
I calibrate mine to empty. I put a gallon of fuel in the empty tank, then set the red fluid to zero. I noticed the gauge is sensitive to how close to plumb it is. IE if you set the red fluid to zero and tip the gauge slightly the red line moves so I used a pinion angle level to find the angle of the dash and set the zero fluid line with the gauge at the same angle, then install in dash. Works for me-- and I have a gallon when it reaches zero (which it never does, I don't like to gamble)
I use an eye dropper to put fluid in, use a toothpick to take slight amounts out by poking it down into the fluid and pulling it out. If you need to take a lot out, a Q-tip with the cotton taken off absorbs more fluid then the toothpick.
I luckily have a bottle of Ford script red fluid to use. The new stuff I hear can turn clear after a while.
 
The '32 Service Bulletin on this subject advises not to expect an accurate reading initially, as cornering will create the air bubbles and resulting air pressure required to achieve an accurate reading for other than "empty". That's why it is important that the little cups are crack free as 23hack recommends.
 
VeryTangled said:
Hi Everyone, Just me, but I always read DaivdG's posts a couple of times. Ever heard of E.F. Hutton?

Been stranded more than once (okay, more that three times) while my Dad was at the wheel. He loved T's. But the '36 is what we had the most fun playing with! We spent hours and hours on the fuel sender for it. I just top up frequently. Full is bad (spills on the fender), empty is bad.
Click to expand...

Yup i get gas every 100 miles, i have to put in 8 to 10 gal in my 36 pickup
 
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