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Discussion Topic:
Gas gauge repair 34 for sedan & pheaton
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Peaches |
10-17-2013 @ 7:21 PM
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Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sep 2013
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Have a 34 ford v8 4 door sedan and 34 phaeton. Both cars gas gauges do not work. Where can I get parts to fix and how to fix. Any help would be great. I am a new member and this is the first time I been on forum.
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40 Coupe |
10-18-2013 @ 4:37 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1678
Joined: Oct 2009
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They are a very basic, air pressure gauge measuring very small amounts of pressure. The unit in the gas tank creates the air pressure, the pressure is transmitted through a sealed tube to the gauge. The gauge accepts the pressure and it displaces a red fluid in the storage tank to a glass viewing port. The more gas in the tank the greater the pressure and the higher the fluid level to be viewed. The only repair parts available are NOS or used Ford or a new replacement copper tube and fittings sold by many suppliers like Mac's. there is also a replacement viewing glass and tank for the gauge, available from SOME suppliers. Most of the problems are from a broken or blocked tube from the tank to the gauge, loose tube fittings, dirt or stopped up passages in the tank unit, no fluid, or clear fluid, in the gauge, blocked fluid passage from viewing glass to the fluid storage tank. If you can find some of Fords original fluid it does not turn clear like the replacement fluid when exposed to sun light. Warning the fluid is hazardous. Instructions can be found in Ford Service Bulletins. Once you have the system cleaned out and sealed, with the gas tank empty, the tube and fitting removed from the back of the gauge fill the fluid reservoir until the viewing glass reads exactly "0". Then reconnect the tube fitting to the gauge and fill some gas in the tank. The viewed fluid should rise with the gas in the tank. Fords instructions tell you how to test the system.
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drkbp |
10-18-2013 @ 7:50 AM
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New Member
Posts: 180
Joined: Aug 2010
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Peaches, We discussed this topic 1-17-2012. http://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?forum=18&topic=4235 I don't know if I did the link correct but it was this "35 Ford Fuel Gauge" 1-17-2012. I posted a sequence I use on my '35 Cabriolet gas gauge. The dash gauges come up NOS on ebay often. The tank sending unit less often but I have seen two in the last three months. 40 has given the vendor. The little kit comes with the fittings and line between the sender and dash unit and the red fluid. The fluid drops in the open top of the dash unit just as 40 says. No moving parts and it works well. Just be sure your dash unit does not leak; the liquid eats up the gauge. I imagine all '32 thru '35 gas gauges would use the same process and parts. Maybe someone can tell us if the dash unit and sender are the same for these years? Ken in Texas
This message was edited by drkbp on 10-18-13 @ 7:54 AM
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deuce_roadster |
10-18-2013 @ 9:04 AM
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Member
Posts: 284
Joined: Oct 2009
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I have repaired many 32-34 gas tank units with good success. If you carefully clean ( I used glass beads at fairly low pressure) and inspect the unit you will see cracks in all the bubble/gas catching "bowls". There are little dish like structures that catch bubbles and or gas and create pressure in the small line that goes to the gauge. If you use ordinary solder you can fix these cracks and fix any holes in the tubes that connect this system together. Make sure the small hole in the chamber at the bottom is open. When you get the new line to the gauge, put the new fitting on the line then solder the ferrule at the end to make sure it is air tight.
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drkbp |
10-18-2013 @ 10:37 AM
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New Member
Posts: 180
Joined: Aug 2010
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Deuce, Are the sending units the same for the years '32 through '35? Also, the dash unit? It just slides in the gas gauge. I know the panel gauge is not the same. Maybe '32 is a year by itself, '33/'34 are alike and '35 is a year by itself. Ken
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deuce_roadster |
10-18-2013 @ 6:32 PM
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Member
Posts: 284
Joined: Oct 2009
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Yes, 32 is by itself but there is an early and late version of the sending unit. I used to have a 34 and I think the 33-34 units are the same as you suggested. I don't know about 35s.
This message was edited by deuce_roadster on 10-18-13 @ 6:37 PM
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40 Coupe |
10-19-2013 @ 5:18 AM
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Senior
Posts: 1678
Joined: Oct 2009
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The 32 passenger car sending unit is different than the 33-34 and that differs from the 35. The commercial pick-up is different still. But the principal is the same in all. Since they are brass except for the mounting plates, it is very easy to clean and re-solder any cracked old solder joints. Look carefully around where the end fittings attach to the tubes. If any physical attachment point is broken re-solder these also. A light bit of air pressure is good to clean out any dirt in the vent tubes, the fuel supply and the small gauge pressure lines. If you can here dirt rattle about it is best to take it apart and remove the dirt or debris. Liquid toilet bowl cleaner like "Lysol" , full strength, brushed on and rinsed with warm water cleans well (wear eye protection and gloves!) it can also be applied inside the tubes or in the gauge fluid brass storage tank, if it reaches the glass viewing tube through the small tube between the two you know the small tube is open. Don't leave it in too long (over night is usually OK), it will not damage the glass. The glass can be cleaned with cotton swabs and acetone or paint thinner. Make sure the glass tube and storage tank are flushed with warm water and dry.
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Peaches |
10-23-2013 @ 7:06 PM
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Member
Posts: 19
Joined: Sep 2013
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Many thanks to all for your help on gas gauge. First chance I get free from work I will get started.
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