1952-59 Ford Help needed with Fuel guage....or sender unit

1956 Merc Monteray

When I turn the key on I can see the guage move just a bit to the "E" , so it's getting voltage. I filled the tank completely to the top and it still shows empty. I removed the wire on the back of the guage that comes from the sender unit and it reads 37 OHms to ground so I think the sender is working but I'm not sure what it should read while full.

Does this sound like the gauge is bad or could it still be the sender unit?

Thanks
Rick

 

Check the ground wire back at the tank,remove it and clean the surface where it bolts down then put it back and see what happens and with a multi-meter take a voltage reading.If you converted to 12 volts you may need a 12 volt sender as original was 6 volts.In some cases you have to switch leads on the gauge when you convert from 6 volt positive ground to 12 volt negative ground.

 

Sounds like the float has a hole in it. They do rot away. Get a new gasket andpull it apart.Gerry