Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 My DA gauge seems to work but it is way off! Any usual suspects to check out?Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Most likely suspect is a bad ground then the sender unit. Next is the wire from the gauge to the sender, but if the gauge works at all it is most likely OK.What do you mean way off? Always full, always empty, bounces around? Does it move when you turn on the key? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Well nuts. I usually try to do better describing a problem. By way off I mean a full tank registering close to empty to 1/4 - 3/8 of a tank. Bad ground - gauge, sending unit, or either? Thanks, Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 I would look at the the cork in the tank at the end of the sending unit. most likely it is so deteriated or saturated with heavy fuels it cant do its job any longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 Sounds very reasonable. I will check this out.Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted April 13, 2011 Share Posted April 13, 2011 When have I ever been unreasonable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 When have I ever been unreasonable LOL! Never with me. And I still like the float as the possible problem. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Knucklebuster Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Has it been reading off since you got the car?If so it could have been replaced with a different ohm layout sender. Another culprit is the wiper bar/wraps get that same icky tar on them that attacks the float. It can throw the ohms off going to the guage. Same principle as bad ground but harder to find. Crocus and methanol might help.I like all these mechanic questions, finally get to "act" like I know something hahaha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 There has been some discussion on the General or Technical board, about cork carburetor floats and how gasohol washes off the shellac and allows them to get soggy and sink. There was quite a range of opinion on what to coat them with and how to make new ones. Might be worth a look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 (edited) I dont know ( or find the search deal on this site useless ) how to find this topic so if someone knows where to find this it would be a big help for me. .....There has been some discussion on the General or Technical board, about cork carburetor floats and how gasohol washes off the shellac and allows them to get soggy and sink.......In my experience with these old cars I have noticed this as the number one culprit for a gauge not reading correctly, second is an electrical problem, I know nearly ZERO about electrical although I spent some years in the armed forces as a fuel and electrical tech. ( shows you how well our money is being spent ) Jack Crapenter has and prob. still does rebuild the sending units as an option if it comes down to that. Edited April 14, 2011 by 1930 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 32DL6 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Try this link: http://forums.aaca.org/f169/cork-carburetor-float-coating-301217.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Fantastic Phil, keep that up and I may consider you for vice precidency Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Wow! So I am dealing with a future president and vice president, and someone who currently enjoys the mechanical aspects of our old cars! Fantastic.KB, glad you like this because I am not close to being through. To the contrary, I am just getting started. Now, am I correct in assuming the float will appear if I remove the unit from the right side of the gas tank? BTW the gas issue may have to take a back seat 'til I check out the brakes.Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 The float should appear after wiggling the sending unit out. Be sure to disconnect the battery before removing the sending unit/float. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 The float should appear after wiggling the sending unit out. Be sure to disconnect the battery before removing the sending unit/float.OK, thanks for the tip. I would have thought having the ignition off would be enough. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I never know or assume I will not get zapped while working in ANYTHING electrical, so I just do that to be safe. Sometimes there could be a short in the wire or a bare spot and ZZZZZZTTTTTTT!! Fry baby. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Zetnick Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Especially with the gas tank!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 EXACTLY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 Wow! So I am dealing with a future president and vice president, and someone who currently enjoys the mechanical aspects of our old cars! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Knucklebuster Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Hey MOE Hey MOE Just a note, the sending unit is a ground not a positive. The ohms (resistance) flowing to ground is what makes the guage read. I have never seen a spark or anything close to it from the sender but....... nice hot positive wire on the back of the guage will light up like a xmas tree if you touch it to the dash.Any chance I can be in charge of the DOT or EPA when we get in office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MidTNDawg Posted April 15, 2011 Share Posted April 15, 2011 Hey KB, you were right. This is your time to shine. Thanks for the info.Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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