Gas gauge in 72 Tahiti

[hkunz]

My old gauge in the Tahiti hasn't worked for a few years, and the anticipation of when, not if, we would run out of gas is just not as much fun as it used to be. So, I bought a new gas gauge, 0-90 ohm, thinking that with an Olds engine, there'd be a GM sender. I also got a new fuel cell for my second tank, and it came with a 0-90 sender, so everything should be good, right?

I put it all together today, and the gas gauge went nuts. I may have ruined it, I don't know, but anyway - Does anyone know what the sender would be in a 1972 Tahiti jet boat? 0-90 GM style didn't work. The tank is 12, maybe 15 gallons. Steel tank, with crimped ends. Thanks!

[STV_Keith]

Just get a new sender. Find out what your gauge is looking for ohm wise, and measure the depth of the tank and order one. Less than $30 usually and done deal. :)

[hkunz]

I may have to do that, too, but the tank is tucked way up under the bow, with little room above it, and it is glassed in place. I was originally going to replace it with an aftermarket fuel cell, but I'll have to cut it out. I'm not a fiberglass guy, so wouldn't be sure up front if I could get it right with the first try. Therefore, it seems that simply putting in a new gauge that matches the tank would be the most effective.

Oh, and there are no markings on the gauge to tell me what it is. It is a '72 Stewart Warner, and the needle falls free from side to side, so I know it's shot.

[STV_Keith]

Pump the tank dry and see what the OHM reading is, then fill it and check it again. There are 5 different senders out there that it could be. You need to know what you have first. And if the sensor isn't working right, a gauge will do you no good.

[hkunz]

Thanks Keith, I regularly pump the tank dry, that's why I need a working gauge :rollinglaugh:

According to Rex Marine, most marine setups use the 240-33 calibration, so that's what I ordered from Summit, along with a new matching sender to swap into my fuel cell. The boat would just make it from Havsau to Topock, and would take 12 gallons in a 12 gallon tank, so we decided that for just the two of us, an extra tank would be good.

The old gauge flops from side to side - the needle is unrestricted in its travels on the pivot, so it seemed the gauge could most likely be the culprit. I think there is supposed to be some sort of mechanism hooked to the back of the needle, and mine doesn't have that. We don't have any local sources for specialty parts here in Bakersfield, so I have to order stuff in on the internet at night and hope it works. Lucky for me, both Jegs and Summit have generous return policies.

I found a cool plastic tank setup on Overton's (they also carry a line of colapsable ladders to help you get back in a low gunwale jet boat), but for now I just want to get it wet. My new scoop will also have to wait for a while, although it will look really cool when I get it done. It came in yellow (used) so it needs paint before I can put it on, and it needs a carb pan. It has holes for dual Dominators, and run a single Holley. Maybe this fall.

[wicked_tahiti]

did you use the correct wire? you need a wire that has ohm resistance, thats how it tells the fuel level.

(i just put one in my tahiti last year) - i purchased a marine one, and used the correct resistance wire, everything worked great.

If you google, you will find there are like 5 different types of sending units.

[wicked_tahiti]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Boat-Parts-Accessories-Gear__MOELLER-Fuel-Tank-Sender-12-24-sending-unit-boat-4s-h_W0QQitemZ220265643951QQadnZBoatQ20PartsQ2cQ20Acc essoriesQ20Q26Q20GearQQadiZ2823QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item220265643951&_trkparms=39%3A1|65%3A1&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245.l1318#ebayphotohosting

I got something just like that. except mine was already cut to length. works great now....

check your gauge and see what resistance it wants, then make sure the sending unit will keep that same resistance...

[kimswang]

Check out the new sending units from Livorsi. I bought one last year and it works like a champ and much more accurate then the flip flop senders. They will cut it to your length specified and the ohm specified.... good stuff!

[wicked_tahiti]

someone is making a complete new sending unit, works with all gauges and such and boasts new features too, i dont know who makes it, but my auto guy was telling me about it when looking for my sending unit last year.