Thanks Guys
It's a 56

Kahuma,  it depends on what year Ford you have as to how you would test the fuel gauge sender.  According to my Motors Auto Repair Manual, 23rd edition, which covers 1953 - 1960 Ford used the King Seeley Sender and Gauge prior to 1957.  The King Seeley Sender and Gauge both have an induction wound bi-metalic strip.  The points in the Sender open and close which sends an on/off current to the bi-metalic strip in the Gauge which moves the hand to the correct position.  This King Seeley Sender has nothing to do with electrical resistance, so reading the ohms on it is meaningless.  Do a search on "King Seeley" both here and on "late V8's" on the Fordbarn forum.  If your Ford is later than 1956, then it is probably a resistance type Sender.

I copied this from fordification.com forum and it was accurate for my 70's car and pickup. I suspect it is the same for 50's cars also.

"The fuel tank sending units used on all Ford products up through 1986 have a resistance range of approximately 8-12 ohms full and 70-73 ohms empty."



Tom from the chiggerfarm located in the beautiful Heart of Central Texas

When you cannot dazzle others with your brilliance, baffle them with bullcorn!

Yes, in my 56 I removed the inspection cover in the trunk. I then removed the sender and mounted it to a block of wood horizonal. I measured the dept of the tank and started with the float top level with the sender mount plate. That should be full on the gauge. If not start bending the float rod. Same for empty. I used the depth of the tank for this. Key was on Acc. This takes time nothing moves fast. My float rod needed to be shorter so mine is bent in a zee shape. The only problem with mine is it stays full for the first 50 miles but when it gets to a little under 1/4 on the gauge it takes 13 gallons on 17 gallon tank which is OK with me. I buy fuel before the 1/4 tank anyway. Even though I had a meter on the I don't remember the resistance with full or empty. Good luck I hope this helps.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

I'm guessing you should be able to test it with an ohm meter. Never had the need myself but can't imagine why that wont work. You would need to have the gauge out of the tank to move the float arm to take readings.

Is it possible to check a sending unit installed in the car, with the gauge removed?
I have the dash out, and have cleaned the trunk area. Thought it might be a good
time to make sure the sending unit is good
Thanks
Jim