Gauges

[HeadacheGuy]

Just wanted to pass some info to that of which I learned. I was calibrating my gauges and touched off the power wire and popped my voltage regulator. No big deal. Went to my Napa store and put one in. The old regulator wavered a bit but the new one wavered more than I would like. Also the length of time for the bimettallic strip to warm and bury my gauges was scary on each ignition cycle. I never cared for that on my original regulator either as these gauges are like gold for a decent used ones. Well... the replacement regulator fried in a month which of course buries the gauges and stresses the hell out of them so I got a warranty one in and it worked but still had the damn waver. Then I saw the electronic one in Pat's Tbird catalog and ordered one. They are adjustable like the chicken bimettallic ones but I was able to use it as is and what a difference!. The steady five volt (mine is about 5.5) feed makes them come up slow and stay steady as a rock. I'm sure some of you already know this but thought I would pass it along for those who didn't as I didn't know the electronic one was available. As you can tell I'm a little anal about my gauges but protecting my 50 yr old baby is a priority. Thanks for lettin me ramble.

 

[Ken in MN]

I agree with you 100%. I did the same thing with my '65 convert and the gauges perform very well. As you noted, it might take a bit of tweaking to get them where I think they should be but it's MUCH better than that old gauge regulator.

 

[HeadacheGuy]

Amazing isn't it. Best 50 bucks I ever spent

 

[lslevin]

Good information and thanks for passing it on!!! We just purchased a 1965 Landau. Love the car but a few niggling problems. One is the gas gage does not work...but just gas. The oil, temp, and amp gauges all function well.

My question. In past cars I have owned, a non working gas gage was always ground or the regulator, but I have been told the regulator runs all the gages in the pod and if some work and some don't it is not regulator??? Is this true?

Second question I have never seen the gage itself be the problem so could it be the fuel sender (I hope not)?? My money is still on ground but would welcome some more experienced 64-66 comments?? Your thoughts?? Thanks Larry Slevin 248-231-8990

 

[Terry64HT]

If the oil and temp gauges work ok, then it is almost certainly the sender. The best way to tell is get underneath the car, disconnect the sender (it's a push on plug) and short across the wires. The gauge should read full.
If it does, the problem is usually that the float is filled with gasoline. Both complete sending units and replacement floats are available from most suppliers.
Hope this helps
Terry
64HT

 

[lslevin]

Terry, thank you for the reply. I was afraid you were going to say that but I now know what to do. A final question: on my 1969 Fairlane the sender is at the bottom of the tank so it is a must to drain all the gas. Howver, given the location of the Tbird sensor can you just run it down very low and proceed?

Thanks again for your help. Larry

 

[HeadacheGuy]

I agree it is probably the sender. Good news is yes , you can do drop the sending unit when the tank is low. A word of caution here. I purchased a sending unit with low fuel warning for 30 bucks as opposed to the 100 dollar ones on most sites. It does work BUT the fuel stem was too long and the sending unit arm also too long. I had to measure and cut the stem and then bend the arm to allow for a proper empty reading. long story short > spend the extra $ if you dont want to screw around. If you need to calibrate it if you don't get a complete full reading post and I will walk you thru it.

 

[HeadacheGuy]

Oh....about 1/4 tank or lower. Had mine a little higher not knowing the fuel level and took a little bath

 

[lslevin]

Terry and Guy, thanks for the info. Ha, I have taken the same bath. Will order the sender today and post how things are going. Appreciate all the tips. Larry

 

[Terry64HT]

I, too, purchased one of the cheapie ones and had the same experience. Haven't bothered to pull it out again yet and try to adjust it, but some day I will. It never reads full and when it hits empty I have a bit less than half a tank.
Thanks Headacheguy for the adjustment tip.
Terry
64HT