If you created a direct short to ground across the fuel gauge it is possible you ruined it. The fuel gauge is what's known as a balanced electromagnetic scheme and that means it has two electromagnets (both wound with different sized wire) and a permanent magnet pivoting in the middle. Those electromagnets are wound with very small wire and that wire is coated with shellac or varnish. You can see an example below. Any short to ground will either burn out the wires causing them to just melt or get them hot enough to melt off their shellac/varnish insulation and that renders them useless as electromagnets. Good luck!
~ Jon 1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
