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SW fuel gauge to read in original A tank?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by chopsaw209, Mar 22, 2011.

  1. Hey tech masters,

    I have been looking around but can't seem to find any information on this subject with the search function.

    The stock gas tank on my 29 A is in near mint condition so I really want to use it rather than a fuel cell. The gl*** and floating gauge read clearly and work great too. This is sort of sad because I have my heart set on a 32 style dash and I have an awesome cluster I am fitting in it.

    So my question is, what should I do to get my SW fuel gauge in my cluster to read the fuel level in the tank. Who makes hardware and anything else I would need to pull this off?

    I was hoping to find some type of agricultural style gas cap with a floating gizmo that would go up and down with the fuel level also. Any ideas?

    Thanks for the help guys.

    Chop
     
  2. Commodoreswab
    Joined: Feb 12, 2011
    Posts: 337

    Commodoreswab
    Member
    from West TN

    I know the triumph I had had a sending unit on the side of the tank. Something like that may be able to be mounted in the hole that the original float went thru.
     
  3. TomH
    Joined: Oct 21, 2003
    Posts: 1,253

    TomH
    Member

    How are you going to mount the 32` dash with gauges stickin' out the back with out cutting into the tank??
     
  4. 1950ChevySuburban
    Joined: Dec 20, 2006
    Posts: 6,185

    1950ChevySuburban
    Member Emeritus
    from Tucson AZ

    I have one of those caps with the floater on my generator. Plastic cheapo thing, but you could use the design to fab a nice one from metal. Check with small engine shops.
     
  5. Mutt
    Joined: Feb 6, 2003
    Posts: 3,218

    Mutt
    Member

  6. Thanks Everyone!
     
  7. RustyNCA
    Joined: Feb 18, 2009
    Posts: 414

    RustyNCA
    Member

    I can ***ure you it can be done. My 29 has a 32 dash, with the cowl tank, and has a non-functioning stock fuel gauge in the 29 dash that is behind the 32.

    I was going to ask the same question chopsaw asked today, currently I just worry about fuel level all the time, and have been wondering how I could put a gauge in mine.

    Hey, chopsaw, keep me in the loop of what you come up with, I would be interested to hear and see how it works for you and what you come up with.

    Cheers
    RustyNCA
     
  8. TomH
    Joined: Oct 21, 2003
    Posts: 1,253

    TomH
    Member

    Have you got pics?? I sure would like to see how you did that.

    Thanks
    Tom
     
  9. Rusty:

    Will do! I am going to do a little more research outside the HAMB and I'll update this thing. I really don't want to stress about running out of gas all the time either.
     
  10. lorodz
    Joined: Jul 26, 2009
    Posts: 3,727

    lorodz
    Member

    please let me know when you guys find out im in the same boat ..
     
  11. dynaflash
    Joined: Apr 1, 2008
    Posts: 506

    dynaflash
    Member
    from South

    I have done it to my 28. 32 dash and all. I silkworm on some pictures but it will be next week before I can
     
  12. Weekend Update, Anyone else have feed back or suggestions?
     
  13. TomH
    Joined: Oct 21, 2003
    Posts: 1,253

    TomH
    Member

    Still waiting for pictures.
     
  14. petritl
    Joined: Jul 31, 2006
    Posts: 949

    petritl
    Member
    from Marion, TX

    Not a 32 gauge cluster you had wanted but if you want to use your A tank had you thought about a period aftermarket Aristocrat A gauge panel? I believe these were made for the 28-29 and 30-31 As.
    http://www.nsra.org.uk/newforum/showthread.php?t=2453
     
  15. RustyNCA
    Joined: Feb 18, 2009
    Posts: 414

    RustyNCA
    Member

    Sorry forgot all about it, been trying to figure out why my olds keeps blowing fuses to the fans. :mad:

    My girl wants to drive it and right now I won't let her till I figure it out.... That old 455 doesn't go far without the fans running.
     

  16. Well, that looks like a great alternative. But I already have a pretty penny invested into this cluster, and a steel 32 dash.
     

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  17. RustyNCA
    Joined: Feb 18, 2009
    Posts: 414

    RustyNCA
    Member

    That is a very cool setup, can I have it :D
     
  18. tommy
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 14,756

    tommy
    Member Emeritus

    [​IMG]

    I must be missing something. Unless you don't mind having this bolted on top of your cowl and a wire running across the top of the cowl, I don't understand how you can make a SW gas gauge work in any panel no matter where or how it is mounted. Getting the gas gauge to fit is not the problem. Getting a SW sender that will work your gauge mounted cleanly is a big problem on a 29 Ford fuel tank.
     
  19. Dirty Dug
    Joined: Jan 11, 2003
    Posts: 3,722

    Dirty Dug
    Member

    Carry a one foot wood ruler in your car. Open gas cap, insert stick, instant gas gauge.
     
  20. 39LOW
    Joined: Oct 13, 2008
    Posts: 354

    39LOW
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from MESA,AZ

    Not sure if this will help you, but i looked at a sending unit from a john deere tractor thats mounted on the side of the tank. Adjustments would have to be made for the mounting flange and the throw of the float arm. Should work if you can get it sealed up and have the correct ohms for your gauge.
     
  21. UPDATE:

    Today I cut the best looking gas tank out of an original 29 A cowl I have ever seen. I feel like a ****, but I am too far along with this project to swap it out for the sake of preservation. I can only stare at something for so long in limbo before I have to make a decision and run with it.

    I am seriously considering running a cowl steering set up (now I have room), there is a significant safety advantage to having a fuel cell in the bed of my truck rather than right in my face, and I can EASILY have a half *** accurate fuel gauge in an external cell, along with upping my road trip range via the gallon capacity.

    DONE! haha....
     

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