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Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Murphy ()
Date: November 12, 2019 09:00PM

I know the gas gauge is an "approximate" level of fuel in the tank.
My '65 can read 1/4 tank, but only take about 4 gallons of fuel when it should take about 10 gallons at 1/4 reading.

My question is, how does one adjust the sending unit float to get a closer reading? confused smiley

Thanks,
Murphy

65 Monza Coupe
61 500 Coupe-W100181
Earliest '61 Alive?

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: MattNall ()
Date: November 12, 2019 09:22PM

Bend the rod. Adjust the float so that it's farther down and that way the gauge won't read is low at that level of fuel

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: flamingchariots ()
Date: November 12, 2019 10:25PM

You do have the correct ohm sending unit for LM (not EM) right?

Kevin
Medina, OH

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Murphy ()
Date: November 13, 2019 08:27AM

Thanks Matt.

Kevin, Yes it is the correct unit.

65 Monza Coupe
61 500 Coupe-W100181
Earliest '61 Alive?

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: joelsplace ()
Date: November 13, 2019 10:27AM

Last one I installed I split the difference in float travel from high to low and it reads like yours. I need to bend it closer to the bottom.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: jjohnsonjo ()
Date: November 13, 2019 10:42AM

Does it ever show full???

J.O.

65 Corsa Turbo Vert
79 Honda XL 500S
69 Honda CL 160 D
2010 BMW F 650 GS
2003 Bounder 36D
2023 KIA K5 GT/GT1 turbo-AKA ZIPPY II (wife,s car)
69 Newport Holiday Sailboat
Baja 150 dune buggy cart
Coleman HS 500 UTV
2016 KIA Sorento SXL Turbo

Bethlehem,Pa


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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: richard1 ()
Date: November 13, 2019 03:32PM

Once I had made my sending unit, with new float and everything, I set it next to the tank and bent it so it would read empty when it hit the bottom, and the top when reading full.

When it hits Empty, I have about 4 liters. When I fill it completely, I need to burn off about 4 liters for it to go down to Full.

Restoration in Bolivia
Richard's Mini Pickup
Richard's Corvair
Richard's Renault Dauphine

Selection of the Right Motor Oil for the Corvair
Selection of the right transmission oil for the Corvair
How to polish and restore stainless and aluminum trim

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: joelsplace ()
Date: November 13, 2019 03:39PM

Mine reads empty and full. Full is full but empty is about 1/2 tank.
The rod isn't long enough to make the float go from top to bottom.
Are you talking a '60 Richard? I know nothing about them except the sender is different.
I have a tank that has the side cut out so I need to hook it to a gauge and adjust for best function. I used it to eyeball the adjustment but I obviously need to connect a gauge. One issue that makes it difficult to visualize is at the bottom the rod is almost horizontal but at the top it is almost vertical so a lot of fuel difference doesn't move the float much.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Murphy ()
Date: November 13, 2019 07:05PM

jjohnsonjo Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Does it ever show full???


If this is directed to me, yes it does read full on a fill-up.

65 Monza Coupe
61 500 Coupe-W100181
Earliest '61 Alive?

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Murphy ()
Date: November 13, 2019 07:11PM

richard1 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> When it hits Empty, I have about 4 liters. When I fill it completely, I need to burn off about 4 liters for it to go down to Full.


I agree, that sounds like most fuel gauges. Gauge on my 65 pulls away from full pretty quickly.

65 Monza Coupe
61 500 Coupe-W100181
Earliest '61 Alive?

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: richard1 ()
Date: November 14, 2019 09:49AM

Quote
Are you talking a '60 Richard? I know nothing about them except the sender is different.

Top sender is a 56 Chevy sending unit I bought, bottom is the original 60 unit.



Here is the final cut, bent, adjusted 56 Chevy unit modified to work correctly in the 60 tank.


Restoration in Bolivia
Richard's Mini Pickup
Richard's Corvair
Richard's Renault Dauphine

Selection of the Right Motor Oil for the Corvair
Selection of the right transmission oil for the Corvair
How to polish and restore stainless and aluminum trim

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: David Payton ()
Date: March 19, 2023 12:15PM

This is what my 65 is showing on the gauge with a completely empty tank. So if I pull the sending unit out of the tank will I want to bend the float rod up just a bit or down just a bit, to try getting the gauge needle closer to the empty mark?

Corvair at post office 2 - 1.png

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: richard1 ()
Date: March 19, 2023 06:27PM


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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Wagon Master ()
Date: March 19, 2023 07:40PM

David Payton Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is what my 65 is showing on the gauge with a completely empty tank. So if I pull the sending unit out of the tank will I want to bend the float rod up just a bit or down just a bit, to try getting the gauge needle closer to the empty mark?

Down.....more than a lil bit. About 1/2" off the bottom.

"Run She May, Shine She Must"
Been Aircooled Since 1973
Northwest Ohio 45840

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: JimBrandberg ()
Date: March 20, 2023 07:56AM

I think I have a gas tank in my scrap pile once the snow melts. I should cut it open to view senders like Joel has.

Jim Brandberg
Isanti, MN
CorvairRepair.com



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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: 67 airvair ()
Date: March 20, 2023 08:08AM

A word to everyone about new senders. It seems that unlike the factory units, the present reproductions aren't adjusted and all need adjustment. There is a way to adjust them that requires an electronic meter, but I don't remember what the procedure was that my electronics friend told me to do. If I find it, I'll post it.

-Mark

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Lane66m ()
Date: March 20, 2023 08:32AM

It sounds like the float is on the wall side of the rod, instead of the other side. It may be hitting the wall, where it can't go all the way down.

Al
Georgia

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: corvairsince70 ()
Date: March 20, 2023 10:52AM

What is the wall side. The front of the hand or the rear of the tank?

Dennis
Nashville area

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: Lane66m ()
Date: March 20, 2023 11:37AM

Look at the first photo Richard1 posted. The lower sender is correct with the float long section to right of rod. If it is to left of rod, it will hit walk and not give you an empty reading. Known issue and discussed here numerous times. You can find it by searching.

Al
Georgia

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Re: Gas tank sending unit/adjustment
Posted by: playerpage ()
Date: March 20, 2023 12:21PM

Just to add meaningless trivia to the thread:

Mine shows full right to the top, but if I'm figuring correctly, I still have a 1/4 tank on empty. Pretty much I love it.

ECP

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