'64 Fuel Gauge needle

[Garry E.]

How much "movement" should I be seeing in the needle on my fuel gauge when I'm driving.....? I've installed an NOS fuel gauge and a new sending unit (not from CC, Paragon or LIC....).....I'm still getting a fair amount of "swinging" of the needle..... I tried testing it by placing another ground wire from the sending unit to the frame..... still get a lot of movement of the dial..... the tank is about 1/2 full, but I don't think all this movement of the needle is normal - even without any baffling in the tank..... any thoughts on this? Garry Eastwood - #38705

[Stuart F.]

Re: '64 Fuel Gauge needle

My gauge and sending units are still the original, and they have always shown a bouncing needle. My driving is limited and there maybe at least a week between starts - sometimes more. As such, I often do a prime using a baster drawing fuel from the tank. I therefore have a visual confirmation of my fuel supply on a regular basis.

To fill up, I have to travel nearly 20 miles to get non-ethanol 90 octane so I am always concerned for the supply I need to get there.

Stu Fox

[Dan H.]

Re: '64 Fuel Gauge needle

Gary, my 64 has ac sending unit, nice gage, at full it's solid as a rock, at half, wiggles or sways some. Must be at that location the arm is more sensitive to motion in the tank.
Dan

[Ed S.]

Re: '64 Fuel Gauge needle

The needle in my '64 is pretty steady as long as I am driving straight. In turns it will move some as the fuel shifts in the tank. The movement is not abrupt or jerky, it is more of a gradual thing. After I straighten out the needle recovers at about the same rate back to what I consider a relatively true reading of the fuel level. The needle moves the most when the tank is 1/4 to 3/4 full. My car was restored in 2005. Garry, you describe your needle movement as "bouncing", mine is more of a slow sway. I believe that the fuel gauge, float and sending unit in my car are original. The tank looks like a replacement - it is just to clean to be 50 years old and there are no baffles in it that I can see.

[Mike E.]

Re: '64 Fuel Gauge needle

I'm pretty sure the damping is in the gauge not the sending unit and of course its all mechanical not much fancy electronics in the 1960's like today. The sending unit is really simple device. If I remember correctly there is a delay from the time the needle moves to full after you fill the tank and it doesn't move until the ignition is at the on position.

Here is a great article John Hinckley wrote about Mid-Year fuel level system.

This is one with some pictures.

Mike

[Ken A.]

Re: '64 Fuel Gauge needle

No offense to John but the C-2's used an air core meter movement, not 2 coils. Modern senders do not use wire wound resistors anymore. I believe his article slightly dated-but- a great help to diagnose problems.

[James W.]

Re: '64 Fuel Gauge needle

Garry,

My '64 fuel gauge and sending unit are original and working correctly. You will get some movement of the gauge needle as the level in tank gets lower. I would not expect there to be quick or violent swings of the needle. Mine shows movement when making a turn or accelerating and decelerating but it is gradual.


Hope this helps.


James