Has anyone used the VDO Fuel tank sender # 226008? The application is universal, 0-90 ohms, adjustable for 6'-23" deep. Will work with aftermarket and OEM gauges. See pic. I need to install a fuel tank sender on the tank below and have no idea if it will seal the opening. Anyone know the diameter of the sender? Also it doesn't seem to have a fuel line pickup tube. Are you suppose to make your own? Summit Racing sells it for $37.95 but give no dimensions or how-to's. I need to use the tank (20" front to back x 23" long left to right x 8" deep) pictured below because it fits the underside/cavity perfectly. All suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
The sending unit and gauge must be matched. What vehicle or gauge is this for? The majority of the aftermarket sending units are made with a standard 5 screw offset pattern. It is "universal" in the sense that it can be built to any float arm depth, not because it will work with all tanks/gauges. It would appear that you have a lockring style tank. We have to have adapter plates machined for our sending units.
My sugestion is to find out what the tank comes from ( looks like it may be from GM, wich uses 90 ohm sender ) and get the fuel sender wich includes fuel pick up tube and gauge sending unit with o ring and locking ring for that tank . If the gauge you are using requires a 90 ohm sender everything should work together. Like morrisgauge says you need to know what the gauge requires for ohms.
Thanks for the input. The tank is from a 1974 Chevy Vega Panel Wagon. Many reliable sources told me sending units are no longer available. I've checked with Dorman's website, Summit, Jeg's, many forums, googled til my fingers were numb. It is a 0-90 ohm sender I need. After much research, I realized the VDO fuel tank sender is for aftermarket 5-bolt fuel cells. S**t. I may have to make an adaptor so the sender and fuel line are in the same lid. Big speedbump because I'm in hurry up mode.
What is the fuel gauge? You can just drill into the tank and weld in a fuel pick up tube. There are also mount flanges available, with the standard 5 screw pattern, to weld into the tank hole.
Fuel gauge is a Cl***ics Instruments. Should the fuel pick up tube have a bend in it or a filter/sock on it?
I did a quick search of epay and the web and found no new fuel senders for the vega. I did find some for a pontiac sunbird think it was 75 and newer. but seams to me that most gm probably has the same fuel sender /pick up tube wich would fit the hole with 0-ring and retaining lock ring. Possible to find a unit with a longer pick up tube and just trim length per depth of the tank. The float level coud probbaly be adjusted for that tank. Just a shade tree mecanic here with crazy sugestions . For my project i am modififying an old tank or building a tank to use a gm sender and fuel pick up. But i will need to add a different seperate fuel level sender for the gauge i want to use from 62 studebaker lark has differnt omh rating then gm. Good luck I am sure you will come up with a solution that works for you . A sock may be good to have if your tank is very dirty. Not absolutely necesary but you should a filter in the line down stream before the carb definately.
Shouldn't Cl***ic be providing you with a tank unit? We don't service their gauges, mostly originals for various applications and levels of restoration. The fuel pick up tube can do whatever you need it to. Some people put an inline before their pump. On senders with an incorporated pick up tube they usually have a filter of some sort since it can be accessed.
I have done almost exactly this. I cut a circle of metal the diameter of the opening. Into that metal circle I cut the hole for the sender, and welded in a pickup tube. I secured it with the stock lock ring and seal. It worked great (after I remembered that the sender needs to be grounded).
Thanks for the suggestions. I have Cl***ic Instruments latest catalog. Their std senders are designed to match a std aftermarket 5-hole mounting bolt pattern. The fuel tank has a 3 1/4" hole for the GM fuel tank sender/ring and fuel pickup.The sending unit and pick up tube are corroded all to hell and the two insulated flat wires to the float have split open exposing the flat leads. The pickup tube is crusty and where the in-tank fuel pump connects to the pickup tube is miissing a 1" union. See pix. This tank had 15 year old gas in it. Took it to the self serve car wash and stuck the wand in the tank and sprayed inside soapy for five minutes. Got most of the **** out. I have POR15 fuel tank cleaner and sealer kit to restore the tank. I plan to eliminate the in-tank fuel pump and use an electric in-line fuel pump with two inline filters. I like everyone's input on making a new pick up tube. Maybe a hole can be made at the top of the tank where the crown/high point is, for the VDO universal fuel tank sender. What is the best gasket material for this opening?
Progress report. Realized a rather stout rubber "o" ring is used to seal the tank locking ring & plate. Discarded the in-tank pump. Would like to use the original float but the wire lead to it split open. It kinda looks like an antenna wire for an old television. The vinyl coating on it separated exposing a flat 1/4" band/wire about 1/64" thick. See pix above.Anyone know where to get a replacement wire to measure the ohm resistance from the float? It would have to be gasoline resistance. Should I proceed with caution on this in fear of causing a fire or explosion because current or voltage runs through the wire? Is it kinda like, why under water welders don't get electricuted?
The old sender can be rebuilt but I think you are getting into a whole lot of work to keep that tank. You can fab or purchase a new tank, fit Cl***ic's sender and be done with the whole mess.
You lost me with "in tank pump" and 1974..... Sounds like a lot of work for nothing, buy a fuel cell or '65 Mustang gas tank or something easier than what your trying to do.......Just my 2 cents
Maybe check this forum - they are the Vega guys http://forums.h-body.org/index.php?sid=54bca600e0c258bb04008058c0bae953
hotroddon- Thanks for the info. The members at h-body are also looking for replacement OEM tanks, senders, o-rings. My car uses the panel wagon tank making it even more difficult to find replacement parts for.
Everyone is giving you great advice!!! You can also purchase a fuel gauge to match you sending unit (make sure it is working properly!) Or buy a new sending unit... You too can get a new tank... Most after market Fuel sending units are 240-33 ohms and that is what you will get, unless you ask. Any questions feel free to call me John 1-800-575-0461 Good luck!!
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