The fuel gauge in my 86 z28(tpi) does not work. I am 99% sure that the fuel gauge sending unit is the problem. Now, how is the best way to replace this thing? Do I have to remove the whole gas tank, God forbid? If anybody has ever done this I would greatly appriciate and help. Thanks.~ Arnold

 

There must be *somebody* out there who has done this???

 

Sorry to bring you down, but you're going to have to pull the tank. The sending unit, as well as the fuel pump, is part of the "octopus" that hangs down inside the tank.

Steve

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Steve's Trans Am Temple

 

I was told a lonnnnnng time ago the reason the fuel level sender fails... so if anyone has heard contrary, let me know!!!

The guy told me that GM used a stainless steel wire for the resistor the "wiper" rubs against. He said that over time, the stainless steel wears out. He told me that GM realized this, and went to a carbon-fiber wire during the late 80's and early 90's. He said that I could remove "just" the wire (a small rectangle) from the sending unit, and replace it with the carbon-fiber one from a junkyard's late 80's/early 90's front wheel drive car (gas tank's not so bad to get at).

Luckily my sender started working again after a few gas station trips, so I never investigated it. I did price a new sender when I replaced my fuel pump; GM wanted about $300- you can't buy just the sender, you have to buy the whole "octopus" (to quote Steve )


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

I had to replace mine in my 86 Vette last years; dash gauge always read "full". Chevy wanted almost $500 because they only sell the entire pump assembly.

I was able to find the sender and pump assembly at Tabertouch.com for $150.

On the Vette it's a piece of cake because the pump can be removed by just removed the fuel filler door on top of the rear and the pump comes right out from the top.

On "F" bodies, though, you've got to drop the tank to get to it.

Sorry.

Jake

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1986 Corvette Coupe, 415 CID, Edelbrock 6073s, ZZ9

 

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to know. I guess I will probably weight a while to replace it because dropping the tank looks like quite the chore. Thanks. ~ Arnold