After Market Fuel Level Sensors-Update Float is floating

[F500guy]

So, My fuel level sensor failed for the second time today, a dorman product. In our winning economy, the cost of that same sensor is now 85.00 on amazon and over 100.00 at auto zone and lasted 1000 miles... (55.00 5 months ago and on Amazon). Anyone have a success story with an after market product that is reliable and functional?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Not aftermarket but OEM Ford success. When I built my Mk3 back in 2007 I harvested parts from a 1989 Mustang, including the fuel tank and sender. I had to replace the tank around 2012 or so but since the sender was still working it went back in. When I sold the car last year that sender was still in place and functioning. That's 35 years! Anecdote #2; Built a roadster in 2011 for my buddy Aaron and got a tank and sender from the local Fox body parts guy. He sold that roadster about 5 years ago with that sender still in place and functioning. 30 some years on that one. Might consider checking with the Ford dealer...

Jeff

[F500guy]

Looks like OEM part has been discontinued. Rock Auto has a couple manufactures to choose from...I will try the Delphi version.

[Blitzboy54]

My sender didn’t even make it out of the build phase. The one I got from FFR didn’t last a month.

I would love to upgrade to some sort of digital sender like a modern car but have not had any luck finding a solution.

[Nigel Allen]

I have been lucky and had no problems with my fuel sender.
I wonder what fails? It is basically just a variable resistor, so either the resistor fails or the wiper doesn't make good contact, there really isn't much else to it. A minute or two with a multimeter should help to work out what the problem is. This type of sender has been used on pretty much every car ever made in the world. Perhaps it is worth getting an oem sender from a wreck or parts store. It is probably counterfeit/ aftermarket products that are causing the problem.
I would be concerned a little about going to a high-tech fuel level sender as it is just more components to fail. However, I totally get your frustration as something so simple should just work for the life of the vehicle.

Best of luck with getting a solution.

Cheers,
Nige

[F500guy]

I believe in the first one that failed, the wiper was not consistently wiping and the parts are so loosy goosey that I just did not want to mess with it. I suppose there may be a way to add a spring to pull the wiper arm with some tension. After I replace the current one, I may play with it. This current one on my last drive after a fill up and 40 mi drive the gauge just keep going to zero, measures a cool 16 ohms, almost like the float sunk.

[rich grsc]

Fuel gauges are just a suggestion. I track my average mpg, then knowing how far I can travel on a full tank, allow for a safety, fill at that point. At 18mpg I have a max of 270 miles, so when I hit about 225 I fill up. I have NEVER had an accurate fuel gauge in all the time I have had one of these cars.:confused:

[Nigel Allen]

My fuel gauge is fairly accurate until you start throwing the car around a bit. Then it becomes accurate to plus or minus 1/2 a tank.

Cheers,

Nige

[Kbl7td]

Holley Lidar

[Blitzboy54]

Holley Lidar

This is super interesting but would be difficult to retro fit into a fox body file tank unless Simone makes an adapter. So I guess my next question is does anyone make an adapter? I’m looking around but not finding anything just yet.

[Mike.Bray]

Interesting thread. I'm planning on installing a new fuel tank in my 68 Camaro with an in tank pump for when I go EFI. Probably going to try this sender. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnk-rs-gml-06

Don't know if Tanks, Inc. have one that will fit the Mustang tank but might be worth a look.

[Blitzboy54]

This is super interesting but would be difficult to retro fit into a fox body file tank unless Simone makes an adapter. So I guess my next question is does anyone make an adapter? I’m looking around but not finding anything just yet.

Digging a little deeper I’m not sure this will work with my current gauge.

“Easy to program the level of any tank and electronic gauge - does not work with OE style gauges that utilize an ohm only input”

So maybe next build

[PNWTim]

Interesting thread. I'm planning on installing a new fuel tank in my 68 Camaro with an in tank pump for when I go EFI. Probably going to try this sender. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnk-rs-gml-06

Don't know if Tanks, Inc. have one that will fit the Mustang tank but might be worth a look.

Mike - when you do that install save yourself some heartache and install a Corvette pump with the fixed fuel pressure mod from Vaporworx (I am assuming you're going LS). It's all in one and super reliable. If not LS then Holley is probably the way to go.

[Mike.Bray]

Mike - when you do that install save yourself some heartache and install a Corvette pump with the fixed fuel pressure mod from Vaporworx (I am assuming you're going LS). It's all in one and super reliable. If not LS then Holley is probably the way to go.

No LS in my classic 68 Camaro! Great engine but not for this car. Going with a 427 small block with a Pro Flo 4.

I've looked at the Corvette pump and Vaporworx PWM setups, really not interested in spending that kind of money for what I'm going to do, especially for a weekend driver. I'll probably go with something like this which is similiar to what I've got in my Cobra. https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tnk-gpa-5

I've always done in tank pumps with returns and they've always worked well for me. Keep it simple.

[F500guy]

Quick update, appears the float floated away from the sensor, it is somewhere in the tank and could not be located. The Delphi sensor is made in China, the Dorman was made in Taiwan. The Delphi has a ittle more robust end to hold the float on the wire. Those connectors are a real piece of ****. finally got it to work after the wires pulled out and the ends got squished and a couple hours cussing...