so i have this little problem with my 56 f100 Fuel Gauge, and it’s starting to become a burden. i Wasn’t sure what it 100% could be so i figured i would ask, and i have some ideas but i haven’t checked any of this.

The Problem: As i drive the fuel gauge rises and falls, from full to empty occasionally stopping at the actual fuel level(this is the only time i can see the real level) when I’m on the highway or in the final gear cruising at a steady RPM it seems to stay pinned on 'E' and rise slowly until 1/4 tank then go back needless to say it’s kind of erratic.

i have the factory gauges and sending unit with the original tank. do you think it is normal (i know that the 50's gauges read a little funny) and if not what could it be the sender the gauge, the ground.... and has anyone done a Dakota Digital swap into this truck with the factory tank? if so does their sender work with said tank?

 

Because of this im looking at the Dakota Cluster more and more, unfortunatly i would love to keep my prestine Original cluster but it thats just a usual thing then i dont know.

You likely have a problem  in the sending unit. The wound wire will get slight corrosion with the contact arm.
The late Walt Nuckels was a Thunderbird guru with a wealth of knowledge. He wrote several articles . Here is a link to some of his articles. Just click on the link Cleaning Oxidized Fuel Sender
http://www.bigdclub.org/Nuckels/Nuckels1.html

marv

Thank you very much. im going to start with that then work my way towards the gauge

Have you tried grounding out the gauge to make sure it is good? Thats an easy quick check. Also check your ground Wire. I am having similar issues with a stock gauge but new sending unit. I think in my case the gauge voltage regulator might be going out.

Mr. Harvard,

What model year is yours?

F. Y. I: To just not confuse the issues here: Only '54, '55 (6-V only), and '56 (12-V only) used the King-Seeley system that was being discussed here above: It does not use a voltage regulator.

If you have a King-Seeley system, something else is wrong.  If you have a voltage regulator, that is an entirely different "beast".

Regards,   JLB

55 Ford Crown Victoria Steel Top