I am sure someone can answer this . Can you run a newer model gastank and sender with an old gauge . I dont think so . If I am right what is the fix for this problem other than replacing both units . Is there a company that sells the proper widget to fix this problem ?
It can be done if the senders have a similar ohm range. You may get better answers if you give a little more info.
A little more info as requested . I am building a 1951 Buick and I am running 1989 Caprice floorpan , frame and driveline . I will be using the 89 Tank as well . This is a fuel injection car as well . I think the 89 tank unit runs on 60 ohms ???? and the 51 runs on much lower . Something like 8-9 ohms ??? Can anyone verify this and how to get around the issue ? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=522617&highlight=1951+buick
The sending unit can be adapted to a fuel gauge. You will have to know the resistance range for the sending unit and the range for the gauge. I have been out of the electronics business for quite a while but here goes. Resistors can be added in series to increase the ohm's of the circuit. However, if resistors are added in parallel the total resistance will always be less than the lowest ohm resistor and can be used to decrease the resistance of a circuit. Resistors in series: 15 Ohm + 20 Ohm = 35 Ohm The math for parallel resistance can be quite painful! Resistors in parallel: 15 Ohm + 20 Ohm = 8.5714 Ohm The Math Parallel Resistance Calculator that will do the math for you
You are on the right track in trying to match the ohms range of the guage/tank units. However, the "8-9 ohms" figure is not correct. GM used a couple of different ohm range units over the years. I researched this sometime ago but having CRS (can't remember S*$t)the specifics elude me. I kind of recall one of the ranges was 0 to 33 ohms......seems another started and ended higher than that. Some research on Summits and other major suppliers websites in the guage selection section of their on-line catalogs may reveal what you need to know. Also, if you have access to a shop manual for the period of Buick you are dealing with, you may very well find the ohm range in the troubleshooting guidelines. Ray
51 buick has 0-30 ohm gauge. Im running a brand new universal sender with the original gauge in my 55 olds. Works excellent. Just make sure you buy the right OHMs sender, run a new wire to the post on the back of the gauge and ground out the sender to the frame. The universal sender will need to be cut down and then the pivot point will need to be placed so that it is in the middle of the tank ( top to bottom). Cut down the float arm so that it reaches top and bottom of tank at full swing.
Sounds like the beast I am after . I ahve 1 problem though . I am running a 1989 caprice gas tank that has the pump in the tank and the sender is part of the pump . Can this sender be retrofitted to the 89 tank do you think ? Where did you get this maybe the company has just what I need . Thanks for your input . aw1950
Have the gas tank boiled out, cut a new hole in the top for the "right" sender. Drill necessary mounint bolts. Leave ther original there, if the pump is integral with it.
Rather than boil the old gas tank I think it would be easier yet to just buy a brand new gas tank for the Caprice and then add the sender. It's not that old of a car and should only run around a $100 bucks.
if it were mine I would remove old sender/pump and make a block off plate for the hole, then cut a new hole for the new sender and run a electric fuel pump.
J johnson that is a viable option that may be my way out . Where do you get these universal fit senders ?
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