Has anyone updated the fuel gauge on a Model A using the existing fuel tank? I scoured the HAMB and the internet to find something that would work out of the box with no luck (kinda knew better, but had to try). I also called Tanks to see if they had something. I would have thought some after market gauge like this would exist already. I was hoping to remove the original gauge/float and insert a float/sending unit that would connect to an updated fuel gauge. Also still using the existing fuel outlet port. A new lighted gauge would be a wonderful addition. I currently have a 2" piece of pvc between the original gauge and original instrument panel to fill the void, which has a tunnel affect, it doesn't help viewing as you can imagine. The new dash panel (made) will sit a few inches in front of the original fuel gauge allowing room for wire connections and new fuel gauge. Still using the original instrument panel, just moved forward and mounted on the new dash. I'm thinking I need to find a sender/float that would fit in the existing fuel gauge hole, maybe cut the diameter down on the mounting plate so I could still seal it using the original fuel gauge nut. The sender/float would ideally have prongs to connect the new fuel gauge without the fuel port. It is also mounted on the vertical surface of the existing tank. If anyone has experience with this or has suggestions on a sender/float that may work please let me know. Thanks in advance everyone! Your knowledge is always very much appreciated. Steve
No idea if it'd be appropriate for your build, but the first thing which springs to mind is an early VW Bug mechanical gauge and sender ***embly. It's perhaps because I've had non-electric ways of doing things on my brain for a while. The Bug sender mounts to the top of the over-footwell tank, though: not sure if that would work for you, or if things can be judiciously bent to make it work.
Seems like it would be easy for a tech savvy person to make an electric sender that screws in to the original gauge location, but I haven’t seen any. Was looking for one myself when I wanted to run an aftermarket dash while keeping the original A tank.
Have you considered this type into your design? https://www.tanksinc.com/index.cfm/...t_id=346/category_id=184/mode=prod/prd346.htm
Ned, thanks ffg or your reply. The original is mechanical already. Plus I am hoping to use the existing side mount hole (vertical wall). Although if I could extend and seal the original gauge it could work still being mechanical. Trevorsworth, yes I was hoping to find that tech savvy idea out there somewhere. I'm sure others updating model A's would appreciate it as well. Using the original tank that is. Johnny Gee, I did look at the options by Tank's, I like the one you mentioned, however they are designed for top mount applications from what I read.
On my A I hung a new complete dashboard from the valence, in front of the original and functional tank. This enabled enough room to install modern gauges, with original speedo and gas site. I mounted a reproduction site to the new dash and the gl*** gave a view to the original site behind it. I modified a jewelers Lupe and siliconed it to the back of the new dash, to enlarge the view of the original site. Finally I wired in a miniature 12 volt wheat germ light between the two sites to help at night, but it also helped during the day. The original mechanical gauge was accurate and adequate. Needed new gaskets to seal out gasoline and fumes. Drove it over 100k with this setup. Hope this helps.
That looks really nice! I like the instrument panel you used. Mine certainly works as is, its just deep in the current set up (hard to view). I also have a light rigged up a bit to help (needs work). I will post a pic of the current set up. Thank you for sharing!
This shows the current set up with the original gauge back a ways (2" tunnel, red painted pvc). The little light shown in the torn apart pic is what is supposed to shine through a hole in the pvc that was made (lighting the gauge). I have the matching autolite fuel gauge that would fit perfectly in the hole where the original gauge is. Just looking for a better solution to what is there without redesigning the dash.
How about having a couple/spacer machined up that would fit the existing hole and accept the Model A gauge? The depth could be made to whatever dimension is necessary.
Ok, here's what I did on my old 29 Ford Tudor. I used a stock sending unit out of a 65 Mustang, along with the guage panel. I had a machine turn down the original sending unit to fot the Model A gas guage hole. I used the original nut and gasket. It was a simple bolt in after that. Worked great, no leaks, no clearance problems. Hpoe this helps. Drive'em
Here is '65 mustang fuel pickup and gauge sender. https://www.cjponyparts.com/cj-cl**...m_term=1101201852048&utm_content=All Products
This is what I was hoping to hear. Knowing that sender will fit is promising. Thanks for the idea, I ordered a similar (cheaper $20) one to experiment with. It doesn't have the fuel tube, just the sender. I will need to modify it a bit, but that have the fun and rewarding as well. Resizing the the mounting flange is what I was thinking, so glad it was successful for you. Getting successful advice sure keeps the experimentation costs down. Thank you!
Absolutely, I just recieved the sender tonight, opened it up and it looks promising. Modifying the sender shaft and grinding down the plate diameter I think will be the easy part. Making sure this mounting plate doesn't leak may be the challenge. Mainly where the stem bolt comes through the plate. I think I need to test this some how. I'll keep you all posted in the days ahead.
You might discard the plate and start with a washer that is similar in size and thickness to the site gl*** that it will be replacing in the original tank hardware? The tank hardware and gaskets are available from the Model A restoration parts stores.
I had thought about that concept. Thought about making something like that. Didn't know they existed. I ultimately decided to go electric.
I modified an inexpensive universal sending unit today and got it all working. I'll have to test for leaks soon. Pretty confident with the outer seal, it's where the electrical connector bolt comes through is what I will be watching closely. It will be test as the fuel level reaches about 5/8. I'll send some pics of how i did it. I only used the parts that came with the sending unit and the original br*** washers and original nut. No other parts needed. I marked F and E when I tested the gauge before starting any modifications. I'm glad I did because I went through a few ideas switching parts around before I landed on the best idea. The tank certainly has some challenges. It has structure panels 4" off center on each side. I was originally thinking the float would go left or right versus towards the front. I would have been able to make one bend on the bracket and done. Because of the structure panels, they do not allow the float rod to extend far enough for full motion of the gauge needle. I ended up turning the bracket 90° down (from horizontal) and 90° sideways to face the float and rod forward. Then there's the filler tube screen, smack dab in the middle of life. So I offset the vertical bracket and bent the float rod just enough to get around it. The tolerances were tight between the structure panels and the filler screen. I made a couple drawings to help anyone using this option. Since there are no dimensions online for these it was tough to determine if any would work. The one I used was a $20 one from dorman. For 20 bucks it was worth trying. In hindsight there are a couple with the sender unit it attached right to the mounting plate, with just the rod and float coming off. That would be super simple, however I still wouldn't know if the sender box would fit. Thank you everyone for your ideas and suggestions.
I would suggest using the Model A correct gaskets and mount nuts to get a good seal with the tank opening, which needs to be cleaned up to hope for a proper seal This photo includes the Model A part numbers
Gasket set https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9321-23N.html Inner nut https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9326.html Outer nut https://www.mikes-afordable.com/product/A9330.html
I'm happy to report that there are no leaks after filling the tank. The tank has been full for the last 10 days testing the new sending unit seal. The rubber gasket that came with the sending unit was adequate in my setup. The outer nut was also reused and seems to work fine for me. New fuel gauge is working as I had hoped. This was a successful project for me. Thanks again for everyone's advice and suggestions. It all paid off in the end.
Is that the Dorman part number near the top of the box? 55818? My '29 Avatar has a wood dash covering the original gas gauge. Your idea would work well for it. Dave
Yes, that part number is correct. Hope it works for you as well as it did for me. Patience at you feed it through the hole. I suppose most people working on cars for fun were blessed with patience.
I'm sorry to report that @Powered by Ford has not been here since completing this install. His second to last post above sounds like the best answer to your question.
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