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Old 05-24-2022, 02:07 PM   #1
40ford
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Default Fuel Gauge Broke:

After about 40 years i noticed the fuel gauge on my 1952 F-1 quit working.never had a problem with it,always registered correctly.I have power to sending unit.I grounded it out and the gauge went to full.I guess next is pull the sending unit out?Is this correct or is there some other way to check and see if it gauge or sending unit? I am hoping possibly a float issue?
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Old 05-24-2022, 05:31 PM   #2
19Fordy
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

Here's a start on some info. that may help. Be sure to read all of it. All King-Sealy units work on the same principle, including yours. Check for hairline cracks in brass float.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...k+sending+unit

Be sure to check out all the info. here:
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...k+sending+unit
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Old 05-25-2022, 10:06 AM   #3
JayChicago
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

Quote:
Originally Posted by 40ford View Post
I grounded it out and the gauge went to full.I guess next is pull the sending unit out?Is this correct or is there some other way to check and see if it gauge or sending unit? I am hoping possibly a float issue?
You are correct. I think you pretty much proved no problem with the gauge. Problem is with the sender or float.
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Old 05-25-2022, 10:29 AM   #4
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

Agreed. Most likely the float has eroded.
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Old 05-25-2022, 01:52 PM   #5
hotcoupe
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

The cork float in my '37 deteriorated, I replaced the cork with a piece of nitrophyll. Expensive, but worth it.
Tom
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Old 05-26-2022, 07:46 AM   #6
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

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The KS fuel quantity senders have a little set of point under the top cap. They sometimes need a cleaning but a person has to be careful with the bi-metallic strip while cleaning.
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Old 05-26-2022, 08:21 AM   #7
19Fordy
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

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Originally Posted by rotorwrench View Post
The KS fuel quantity senders have a little set of point under the top cap. They sometimes need a cleaning but a person has to be careful with the bi-metallic strip while cleaning.
It looks like this: Ignore the messy soldering I did in the last photo. The little star wheel is used to fine tune the the unit. Turning it CW moves the fuel gauge needle towards FULL. Turning it CCW move the needle towards EMPTY. It is very sensitive and responds to the slightest adjustment .

I have not been able to figure out what that black and brown part is. It looks like some type of a carbon resistor. Anyone know how to "check it" or how it functions in relation to the rest of the unit?

I reread an old thread about the carbon rsistor? but the more i read the more confused I get. Electronics is not my friend.
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258993

It is very brittle and easily broken. I wonder if a modern day "resistor" or another electronics part could be used to replace it?
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Last edited by 19Fordy; 05-26-2022 at 11:40 AM.
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Old 05-26-2022, 05:15 PM   #8
rotorwrench
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

When calibrating the turbine outlet temperature indicating system on the old Huey UH1 helicopters, a spool of resistor wire was used to get the resistance just right by removing a bit of wire to reduce resistance by very small increments. King Sealey may have just used a bunch of different value resistors that were easily replaceable to get the right value.
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Old 06-03-2022, 07:40 PM   #9
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

OK,I have not pulled sending unit out yet.My fuel gauge started working just for a minute.While driving I could make the truck go from side to side and I would get a reading on gauge then it would go dead again?Does this sound like a float problem or maybe sending unit needs cleaning?
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Old 06-03-2022, 07:43 PM   #10
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorwrench View Post
The KS fuel quantity senders have a little set of point under the top cap. They sometimes need a cleaning but a person has to be careful with the bi-metallic strip while cleaning.
rotorwrench,what is the best way to clean points without disturbing the operation?
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Old 06-03-2022, 09:28 PM   #11
rotorwrench
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

I use smal strips of wet or dry sanding paper cut from a sheet of 400 grit.
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Old 06-04-2022, 02:53 PM   #12
40ford
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

OK,just an update on my problem.I pulled the sending unit out and the float was full of fuel.Had a small pin hole in it,probably could repair ,but I ordered a new brass one from DC.
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Old 06-05-2022, 01:06 PM   #13
19Fordy
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

40ford.

That's good news for sure. When you install the new float be sure to open the curved part of the float arm that holds the float so that it doesn't squeeze the brass float too much. Otherwise it will crack again. I leave the float loose enough so I can rotate it with just a little drag on the float so it won't fall out.
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Old 06-06-2022, 08:02 AM   #14
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

Quote:
Originally Posted by 19Fordy View Post
40ford.

That's good news for sure. When you install the new float be sure to open the curved part of the float arm that holds the float so that it doesn't squeeze the brass float too much. Otherwise it will crack again. I leave the float loose enough so I can rotate it with just a little drag on the float so it won't fall out.
Thanks ,19Fordy.I will do that.The old one was very tight when I took it out.When the float is installed I am pretty sure longest part goes to rear because of the way the truck tank is shaped at top for seat.I can not remember which way the old was??? I just now noticed DC has two floats listed?Not sure if I ordered the right one.maybe someone can can get me straight on which float to use?

Last edited by 40ford; 06-06-2022 at 08:35 AM.
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Old 06-09-2022, 10:42 PM   #15
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge Broke:

Update on my problem.I got the new float and installed on sending unit.I measured how much fuel I had in tank with a yard stick of all things.Showed a little over half a tank.Installed the sending unit and checked before installing screws.Fuel gauge showed what I had in tank so I should be good to go hopefully for long time!Thanks, Gentlemen for all the help.
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