Just a quick update on my sending unit.  I ordered a new tank (a '56 to replace the '55) so the sending unit would be in the right place and to avoid issues with some rust in the old one.

After I installed my new tank the guage works perfectly.  I think the issue was that when I installed the unit on the old tank I used silicone to seal it.  The new tank came with a new gasket that is pretty thick. I think this prevents the unit from grounding out on the tank. 

Either that or the new tank is better grounded to the car because it doesn't have 50 years of rust and road grime build up.

Anyway, I'm back out and running again and not always worrying about how much gas is left in the tank!!

Andrew 56-Vicky

I decided to replace the '55 tank that I have with a correct '56 and see if aligning the sending unit with the accesss plate makes any difference in the grounding problem.  Even if it doesnt help the problem, it will help with access.  Right now I have to drop the tank everytime I want to try anything.  I ordered my tank today and will post the results when it is installed.

********************************************************************

Dave, thanks for the encouragement on the car.  I love it VERY much. I stopped at the store on Saturday and a guy asked me how much I wanted for it and I told him $1Million and he looked at me funny.  I said it's not for sale... what would you say if I asked you how much you want for your wife?  Then we both had a good laugh

Just a little background on how I ended up with a '55 tank on a '56: When I tore into my car I found that the tank was rusted through.  My Dad has a 55 2-door post for parts, so I snagged the tank from it not realizing at the time that it was different.  When I got it home (400 miles later) I realized that the sending unit was relocated from 55 to 56.  Since the wire wouldnt reach the 55 setup, I left it disconnected and said "I'll remember to fix that later" 

Well after a lot of work and 3 years later I decided to dig in and see what was wrong with my guage and after I removed the access plate in the trunk it all came flooding back!  Anyway, the '55 tank isn't that great to begin with so and I keep getting more junk out of it into my filter so I figured it would be nice to get the correct 56.

My car affair has been on hold for the past 2 years since we were building a new house and had a baby etc. My car was in storage at my Dad's house and I only got to drive it once a year.  It sure is nice to have it back in my garage where I can see it every day and drive it at least 3-4 times a week.  The weather is finally at a drivable level here in AZ so I'm looking forward to lots of cruise-ins and other fun! 

Thanks again to everyone on this forum that helped me get this car up and running 3 years ago.  I relied HEAVILY on this forum for resolving things that you only understand once you've done it once or twice. I'm back in the saddle again and am sure that I'll continue to need your advice! 

Andrew 56-Vicky

Thanks again guys, I'll tear into it again and let you know how it goes.

Andrew 56-Vicky

If all else fails, Dennis Carpenter has a sending unit that can be used with either 6 or 12 volts. I have one in my 54 (converted to 12V but using a voltage reducer (ford type) for the gas and temp gauges. It works ok. After installing, the gas gauge still would not work. I was ready to curse Carpenter. But I tried another gas gauge that I had, and everything worked right. Had a bad gas gauge initially.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Andrew:

Max full on the gauge indicates a direct ground in the circuit.  Since it didn't happen until you grounded the tank, the wire to the tank isn't the problem.  I would think that something is wrong at the insulator at the sending unit flange where the wire to the gauge connects.

John

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

Ok, here's an update and another question.

I talked to a guy T-Bird Products and he explained that 56 was the only year that used 12v guages.  '57 they went back to a 6v system for the guages.  That takes care of why the '56 sending unit is more difficult to find.

Now a new question. 

I dropped the tank and found a bad wire on my existing sending unit.  I pulled the unit from the tank, hooked it up to the wire and watched the guage go up and down as I moved the float.  I then put it back in the tank, put the tank back in and put 10 gallons of gas in but the guage never moved off empty.  I then took a wire and made sure the tank was well grounded to the car.  The guage immediatly went to MAX Full I removed the ground wire and it went back to Empty. I cleaned up some areas of the tank to make sure it was self grounding and it now goes to Full everytime I turn the key on.

I know there is now less than 10 gallons in the tank after driving it 40 miles and the guage still rides maxed out on the Full side.

Any suggestions on what I can try next?  could it be the sending unit really is bad?  could it be there is a short somewhere in the wire?  What would cause it to peg on Full all the time?

Thanks again guys!

Andrew 56-Vicky

I have a question about the 56 fuel tank sending unit for a Fairlane.  It seems that any other year is available anywhere but the 56 is very hard to come by. 

Can anyone explain what is so special about 56?  Also is there anything that I can do to rebuild or salvage the one I have?

Thanks!

Andy

Andrew 56-Vicky