1960 fuel sender unit question

[scott scearce]

Hi,

I was wondering if someone could answer a question about my '60 fuel sender unit. I was having gas leak from around the sender I think because it was not tightened down enough to the tank.

I noticied the fuel unit hold down screws have a rubber gasket around them I suppose to ensure a seal. There are 2 electrical wires running to the sender unit: 1 goes to a post coming out of the top of the sender and the other goes underneath one of the 5 hold down screws. My question is: Is the wire going to hold down screw supposed to be electrically isolated somehow or should it touch the metal. The screw itself goes into the tank so I do not know how it can be isolated.

When I tightened down the screws I have the wire touching the metal plate and the gasket seems to seal now. However, when I now turn on the turn signal the gas gauge moves slightly in sync with the turn blinker. Is this indicative with some grounding problem with the tank or should the wire be isolated. I am a little worried here I my be doing something dangerous because of the gas.

Thank you,
Scott Scearce

[Roy B.]

Re: 1960 fuel sender unit question

The wire going to the screw is for GROUND only , now because you did what you did your loosing the grounding. Go back clean the area by sanding a little re-install the screw and wire again and check the gage again.

[Mike M.]

Re: 1960 fuel sender unit question

use an external toothed star washer of each side of the wire terminal. mike

[Christopher R.]

Re: 1960 fuel sender unit question

The wire going to one of the hold down screws is indeed a ground.

The gauge moving with the blinker (and the brake lights), is a common C1 problem. The ground is not sufficient. Add another wire from that ground connection to the frame. That'll help and stop the gauge from moving. You can run a wire alongside the gas line to the frame where no one will ever see it. Instead of drilling another hole in the frame to connect the ground, use the existing one for the gas line clips to the frame. They are along the outboard side of the frame on the passenger side. The first one is by the right rear wheel, right where the gas line comes out of its compartment.

[Dennis A.]

Re: 1960 fuel sender unit question

While you are in the tank area...It is a good idea to run a ground wire from the meter to the frame which will prevent gauge problems. (a connection can be made to the right rear body mounting bolt)

[scott scearce]

Re: 1960 fuel sender unit question

Thanks for all the responses. Everything said in the posts were right on the money and it fixed the problem straight up.

Scott