Ok I have been digging into the fuel tank sender problem i have and got to the point were it would be better to start asking the resident experts. I was TS my gas gauge yesterday. I pretty much checked the wiring all the way back to the tank. The wiring and the gauge check out, and the ground strap looks good. All that is left is the sending unit. Looking around the major parts houses, Rock Auto, Orileys, Napa. I cant seem to find a replacement sending unit. Cross referencing other makes and models doesn't really come up with one that looks like it would work. ( older Vans and other vehicles with Vertical tanks. One thing i did notice is you cant find a tank for a Wagon. At least not the type I have in the Chevelle. Research shows a big settlement involving outside the frame gas tanks. So I am guessing no one is going to be making one. All the tanks come up as in between the rail types. Looking at a El Camino tank, it looks like it would work. Sender on top, filler neck out the side. The question I have is does it fit and work? I am sure I can get it to strap in, thats not really a problem. What i cant tell is if the filler neck is long enough to make it all the way over to the original door on the side. I'm sure it could be extended. But I want to know that before hand so I can budget for it. I'm not going to Mig it, I'll take it and get a shop to Tig it. So what say the experts. Ya or Nay?
Sending unit problem Reggie00..... I am having issues w/ the sending unit on my '85 Quantum. I have located a couple of places that repair fuel sending units. I have had a unit repaired for a '66 7 Liter Ford, and the result was excellent. Here are a couple places that repair sending units: Tri-Starr, 1-315-712-0071, 9-4 EST, Dan Ohora SUR&R, 1-800-390-3996, offers lifetime warranty. I have not contacted either place yet, so can't give any information as to their total services or procedures. Let us know how this episode turns out. Thanks, David.
Thanks Edsel, I saw a few mentions of getting the sender repaired on the thread search I did earlier. But I started thinking changing the tank to the more common style wouldn't be such a bad idea. If no one has done it here, I'll just have to be the guinea pig. Just wanted to check before I rehashed all the problems someone already figured out.
Good luck on the swap over. Personally, I think it is a great idea. I have never liked the idea of a car having the tank outside the frame rails where it is vulnerable to damage in a fairly minor crash. Let us know how you make out with it.
The Parts Place has new single and dual line gas tank sending units for 68-72 Chevelle wagons listed on their site. http://www.thepartsplaceinc.com
fuel sending unit Reggie, I went through the gas tank/sending unit issue with my 67 Plymouth wagon recently. Seemed like all the ones online were "except station wagon". I'm not sure how accurate some of these websites are as they all looked IDENTICAL in every way to mine...What I finally concluded was the difference lay mainly in the filler tube, which with the right hoses and elbows which are available should be easy. Also, the age of the vehicle and respective small amount of perspective sales diminishes accuracy. What I would do is have your gas tank professionally re-conditioned which is what I did. They requested I emptied the tank of fuel and completely fill it with water and dish washing liquid (i only use Dawn), let it set over night, then empty it and bring it in. They dipped it in an acid solution, neutralized the acid, then coated the inside with ??? (it remained flexible and is dark red/brown in color). I picked it up, sanded and painted the outside and re-installed it with the new sending unit they got for me. Whole thing cost me about 140$, including paint. If you have trouble finding your unit, contact me and I can find out where they ordered it, he had a whole hard copy book full of them!
Thanks for the new parts site. That might come in handy. The tank isn't leaking. At least not that i can tell. You can get cleaning/ relining kits for a lot of places. The thought after looking at how uncommon/unavailable the tank and tank parts are, I started thinking a conversion was in order. For ease of repair later and safety, the plan is to change the side mount tank to a El Camino under bed tank. The question i am throwing around is if the filler neck is long enough to reach the Wagons fuel door. You would think it would, but i need to research it some more and possibly find pics of the underneath to see how they mounted it. Keep all the good info coming. Between what we figure out on a swap, and what others contribute for part and refurbishing resources we'll have all future questions answered.
