My fuel guage hasn't been working ever since I got my '66 and it really isn't that big of a deal, but I would like to fix it now since I'll be driving it more. I went under the tank and tested the brown wire with a test light, attached the test light ground to the sending unit ground wire attached to the frame and I got a light. Since there are no other wires going to the sending unit, that leads me to believe that the sender is dead right?

Is there any way to test the guage without going under the dash? Also, where does that rubber ring go and suggestions for removing the collar?

Between the tank and sender???

Between the sender and the collar???

Thanks!

Does it read all the way full or all the way empty? Al lthe way full suggests a break in the wiring or circuit board. All the way empty suggests a sticking sending unit.

If you drop the tank you can hook up a meter and check the ohm reading by moving the float up and down this should change the ohms. if not it is dead. the float could be shot also. Good luck.
removing the collar use a hammer and a punch and tap the tabs working around it don,t keep hitting on 1 of the tabs. But keep hitting the other ones while going around it.

The guage is at empty and never moves.

As for removing the float assembly, I'd like not to have to remove the tank if I don't have to. It doesn't seem that I have to since the float assembly is accessible towards the front of the Camino.

Anyone know where the rubber ring goes now?

Hell, I might just remove the whole thing since everything about this car seems to be un-molested. It can't hurt to remove the tank, have it cleaned and coated in the inside and made to look a little better on the outside.

Thanks!

All the way empty suggests a sticking float or a float that is saturated with fuel and wont "Float" If you unhook the sending unit (electrically) the gauge should go all the way full. If it doesnt then you have a dash issue or the wire fro mthe sendign unit to the dash is grounded soemwhere. Rule of thumb "The dash pulls it full the sending unit pulls the gauge needle empty.

I disconnected the wire to the sending unit and sure enough it went to full.

I went ahead and removed the whole tank. I figure why not just in case the tank had to be coated. Man what a PITA it was to get the strap bolts loose. I even used an air ratchet which ended up twisting the strap and breaking it. Didn't get a chance to remove some bolts till after I had it out.

After I got it out, I removed the sending unit and another float was in there! Probably from another previous float assembly. The tank is very clean inside, no rust, nothing! I still went ahead and took it to a radiator shop to have it pressure tested and coated. Should be back in three days.


Now I have to go buy new straps, hardware, etc. I also noticed that the sending unit I got from OPG doesn't fit right. Maybe you guys can help me out. Take a look at the two units here.

http://pic11.picturetrail.com/VOL364/1837914/8794352/129541402.jpg

If you look at the new one, the ground wire tab is situated so that the sending unit won't sit flush where it's supposed to. I guess I can just bend the tab up and it would work, but maybe I should just take it back? Look at the old one, there is no extra ground tab like the new one.

Thoughts???

looks like that sending unit was either stuck down or weighted down. That sending unit looks to small (the round part diameter wise)

The sending unit's diameter is good, it fits right in there, but it's that tab where the ground is connected to that gets in the way. That pic doesn't really show what I'm talking about. If I take the tab where the clear covering for the connector is and bend it towards the outlet tube, it would fit I believe.

OPG has original GM sending units for something like $90.00. It really isn't that serious for me so I bought the aftermarket one they sell. I was just wondering if I should just bend the tab out of the way or take it back?

remove the ground tab off the sender and then silver solder the grounding wire anywhere on the flat of the sender below the fuel nipple, so it does not interfere with the locking ring. gasket goes between tank and sender then locking ring.