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Technical Gas sending unit malfunction

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Hessler, Feb 26, 2023.

  1. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    D41FF790-6D2B-42C4-BE1C-00A139558839.jpeg Hi to all, I have a 52 Ford f1 with a new gas sending unit that malfunctions when its tight enough to stop fumes from escaping, basically if I loosen the screws a bit then I start getting gas fumes in my cab, the issue is that when its tight enough then my sending unit gives me full tank or starts malfunctioning, I loosen the bolts a bit an it goes back to normal. Have any of you ran into this? I have good ground to the sending unit, the tank is bolted to the cab so its also grounded, so what causes something like this? Thank you all in advance.
     
  2. deathrowdave
    Joined: May 27, 2014
    Posts: 4,875

    deathrowdave
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NKy

    Should not be effected by fumes escaping , movin the screws is causing a better ground circuit . Run yourself a new clean ground to one of the sending unit screws from the cab structure , and clean the cab ground to frame or motor and all will be well .
     
    sunbeam, Jibs, dirt t and 1 other person like this.
  3. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    ok I can give this a try, all the wiring is new, to sending unit and ground, but the ground is a small tab welded to the unit, the ground is going to my cab, but the fumes dont cause the issue its being too tight, its weird
     
  4. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 35,581

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I'm thinking that when you crank down on the screws you are distorting the body of the sender enough that it binds up the works just a tad. The fix might be making a steel ring that goes on top of the sender so it will spread the pull of the screws more evenly all around the sender's body.
     
  5. Mr48chev is right on here I think. Maybe when you crank it down there is just enough flex in the whole unit to make the the rheostat arm lose contact with the pad (loose terminology). Happend to me once. Drove me about halfway to drinking trying to figure it out.

    Sounds like, as suggested, you need something to spread the torque on the bolt heads. Also, maybe look at the contacts on the rheostat and give the brass arm a little extra bent to make sure the contact isn't so easily lost.

    Keep us up to date. :cool:
     
  6. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    you guys might be up to something here, but the unit has these bumps on top that would no allow something to go on top. I did notice that on other units the material where the bolts go is much thicker, mine is the thin sheet metal like material, the only way to find out is if I try the much thicker material units
     
  7. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    will try this and let you know
     
  8. Sounds like you might have it handled.......just wanted to say that is a beautiful truck! I also have a '52 F-1, of a similar shade of blue.
     
  9. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    Thanks man, yeah Im loving the color, its not a perfect body, its really a driver
     
    RMR&C likes this.
  10. Either a different brand of sender or a cork gasket with some Ultra Black/Right Stuff RTV.
     
    clem likes this.
  11. partssaloon
    Joined: Jan 28, 2009
    Posts: 769

    partssaloon
    Member

    Could the screws be to long and touching something when you tighten it?
     
  12. onetrickpony
    Joined: Sep 21, 2010
    Posts: 843

    onetrickpony
    Member
    from Texas

    Check where the gauge wire passes thru the mounting plate. Maybe the insulator is cracked or something, causing the connection to ground out when tightened.
     
    Budget36 likes this.
  13. I'm in agreement with Mr48chev..along those lines possibly the sending arm/float is just too long enough that even the slightest tightening/drawing in of the sending unit is causing interference.
     
  14. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    Will try a few of these ideas next weekend and let you guys know. My last resort will be to get a different unit.
     
  15. 1940Willys
    Joined: Feb 3, 2011
    Posts: 904

    1940Willys
    Member

    I'd Disconnect the Battery when fooling around with that sending unit and it wires. Ya don't need ant sparkies ruin'n that nice ride and your Day.
     
    Atwater Mike likes this.
  16. 6sally6
    Joined: Feb 16, 2014
    Posts: 2,888

    6sally6
    Member

    Thicker gasket may be the fix..if you can't put a metal plate under it.....
    6sally6
     
  17. Atwater Mike
    Joined: May 31, 2002
    Posts: 11,618

    Atwater Mike
    Member

    That truck IS the cat's ass! Makes me want to change MY F-1's '50 front sheet metal back to the '52!
    Hope you find that bug...
     
  18. Hessler
    Joined: Mar 28, 2018
    Posts: 57

    Hessler

    So I tried a few things, double cork gasket but did not work, I checked the gasket that prevents the sending unit from shorting and looks good, I did order rubber gaskets and it did help, but I still have to play with the tightness of screws so my gauge does not go crazy, but the fumes are gone, but if tightened too much it still goes bad, I also added special sealant or rtv like that can handle gas and that may have helped with fumes, I also added liquid teflon on the screws….. but if tightened too much I still get gauge malfunction. I ordered a new sending unit from cpp but its the wrong bolt pattern but I wish it worked, the plate where you bolt it from is so much thicker.

    will post again if I get it completely fixed.

    As of now some bolts can be tightened about 1/4 more.

    Thanks for the complements on the truck.
     
  19. deucemac likes this.

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