need gas tank sending unit

[JP Sun]

Now that you're all back from Salmon Harbor  (sorry to have missed it)  can anyone help me find a replacement for the gas tank sending unit on my 76 RK 440?   Thanks.

[mollerus]

I think that our Clippers used the gas tank that came from the factory with the Dodge 1 ton chassis.  Some units had aux. tanks installed in front of the factory tank and that is different issue. You might find an old one in a wrecking yard or or someone parting a 1 ton out in the newpapers. You will probably have to buy the tank with the unit.  There are some after market units in  auto parts stores but I don't know if they are adaptable to the factory tanks. Does your gauge work at all? If not look for a broken pin connection in your gauge connection or a broken wire or connection in the wire going to your sending unit in the tank.

[JeffM]

If the problem is with the sending unit, what repairs are possible to the existing unit (especially to the electrical components)?

Jeff M
ACOC #3426

[HPotter]

Be sure it's the sending unit that's the problem. Putting a temporary ground on the wire back at the tank should give you a full-scale (full) reading on the gauge. If not, the problem is elsewhere. See my note of 11-2-03 in Hints&Tips.

Harold, #886

[JeffM]

Continuing this issue of sending units,  I noticed that the tank unit has a new ground wire to the frame. The main wire was unplugged. I plugged it back on the sender unit. When I started the engine, white smoked started coming out below the steering column. There is no problem when the main wire is unplugged (76 Dodge 440).

[uncleleroy]

Jeff - sounds like that fuel guage problem is getting real frustrating.  I finally dropped the tank on my '78, pulled the sending unit assembly out, cleaned everything up, and rewired from the tank to up ahead of the axle where I could see that the old wiring was OK.
  The smoke under the dash sounds a bit ominous.  Try using a wiring diagram (probably available in any repair booklet which covers Dodge 1 ton van) to trace the sending unit wire up to the back of the guage pod in the dash.  The wire may be frayed and/or grounded.  Check your fuses.   Good luck!!