Fuel Sending Unit Installation

[Michael A.]

[Leif A.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

All things being equal, Mike, wouldn't the float only contact the filter when the tank is empty? How often will you let that happen? Never, would be my guess.

[Michael A.]

[James W.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Mike,

If the fuel pick-up tube is indeed rubbing on the bottom of the gas tank, I would remove it and relieve (file) the end of the pick-up tube or if you prefer bend it until it no longer rubs on the floor of the tank.



Regards,

James

Agreed Leif. I guess my bigger concern is the pickup tube end that is rubbing against the floor of the tank, thru the strainer. Since my post I removed the new one and compared it to the original and found that the pickup tube on the replacement has a bit different geometry and appears a bit longer than the original, which causes this issue. I’m leaning towards bending it a bit to make sure that it does not rub against the bottom of the tank. The pickup tube is stainless steel so I will proceed cautiously!

[Dan B.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Mike, I think the issue is the fuel sock needs to go on further up the pick up tube so that it is near the end . That should take care of your problem. As long as the pick up tube is not contacting the tank with the sock removed, you should not have to bend it. Dan

[Ara G.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Also, if you still have the original locking ring from the original tank i would highly recommend using it along with an NOS rubber gasket. The repro locking rings stink and the repro gaskets do not fit right and will leak. There is a thread about this in the archives. Trust me, you will thank me later. ARA

[Ken A.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Michael,
The sock will not be harmed in your original picture & the gasket that came with the sender is correct, but Ara is correct re: the lock ring.
The sock is OEM spec. Do not remove it or move it, as it is in the correct position. The sender is guaranteed for as long as you own the car.
Ken

[Dan B.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Michael,

The sock is OEM spec. Do not remove it or move it, as it is in the correct position.
Ken

Never saw a spec for the exact position of the fuel sock before. I positioned mine further up (as my original was) which allows the pipe to keep the sock from folding over and collapsing on to itself. I find it hard to believe the way it's pictured above is the way GM intended it to be. I'd be interested to hear what other's think about this.

[Phillip M.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Mike, very valid concern. I bought what appeared to be a GM replacement sender at Carlisle 2 years ago that had a hole worn through in the sock at the bottom of the tube. Comparing with the unit it was replacing, I found that the tube on the recently purchased unit was about 3/8" longer. A test fit in the tank showed that there was an interference with the bottom of the tank. I, as James suggests, opted to carefully cut back the pick-up tube and deburr the cut end to provide clearance. My main concern was that the amount of interference would not allow the flange on the sender to seat properly and cause leakage of gas.

[Joe R.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Notice carefully the position of the unit installed INSIDE the tank. The 20 gallon tank will NOT empty completely and as long as there is gas inside the tank the float will ride above the level of the gas. That level is at the level of the pickup tip inside the filter. The filter will not be harmed and all will be well.
I have several sending units that were in 1963 Corvettes and there is no damage to the filters after 50+ years.

JR

[Michael A.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

Notice carefully the position of the unit installed INSIDE the tank. The 20 gallon tank will NOT empty completely and as long as there is gas inside the tank the float will ride above the level of the gas. That level is at the level of the pickup tip inside the filter. The filter will not be harmed and all will be well.
I have several sending units that were in 1963 Corvettes and there is no damage to the filters after 50+ years.

JR

Joe
Thanks for the note. Do you recall if the pickup actually rubbed against the bottom of the tank on your 63’s? That’s the issue I have with this sending unit. I gently bent the pickup tube and reinstalled it. I also looked at the original pickup unit and noticed that the float did not overlap the strainer sock. So I tweaked it a touch and it now no longer overlaps.

I’ll take another picture of it next week when I’m back down at my brothers working on the car. I also need to look again and measure the clearance i have at the bottom of the tank. From what I read in your comments, I don’t want much.

Cheers,
Mike

[Richard G.]

Re: Fuel Sending Unit Installation

I just dug out the one from my 1963.
Looks different than the one you have.
The float is offset somewhat to miss the sock.
Here are some pictures;


The sock is also shorter.
Hope this helps.
Rick