The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay Fuel Gauge ?

I have a 1954 1/2T 3100 that was converted to 12V by the previous owner. I've had to do much rewiring do to the crude job that had been done. Everything is working great except for the fuel gauge. He didn't have the hot lead wired up to it. I put a 12 volt - 6 volt reducer before the gauge and the gauge doesn't move. I've bypassed the old wiring to the sending unit and connected a new wire from the gauge to the sending unit and nothing. I've cleaned the ground connection at the sending unit and ground it to the battery (-). Nothing.

Considering the tests I've done, I believe the gauge is at fault as I can't get the needle to even twitch. I've searched some of the typical parts spots and haven't located a 12v gauge & sending unit.

I want to replace my existing fuel gauge with a 12v and corresponding sending unit. Where might I find one? Is my only alterative to purchase a new 6v gauge and use the voltage reducer?

I realize my sending unit has not been tested.

sfsutton,

The '54 is a real toughie in this regard. Jim Carter has 12 volt fuel gauges and senders, but not for the '54. American Classic has complete clusters for the '54 in 12 volt, but 'out of stock'. For the work involved, I would just stick with the stock components and a voltage reducer. I reviewed your earlier posts on this issue, so you might have other ideas. This combination of reducer and stock items has worked well for lots of folks in the past.

There very well could be a 12 volt gauge for a '54 kicking around out there somewhere, I just didn't stumble onto it. Good luck.

Stuart

Bow Tie Bits list 6v and 12v 54/55 fuel gauges .

As does Classic Parts (Chevy Duty) .

American Classic (link at the top of this page) sells 12v fuel gauge (as Stuart noted).

I agree with Stuart - get a 6v gauge and Runtz 12v to 6v fuel gauge resistor.

sf sutton - 54 gas gauges are really tough to find. i finally broke down and sent mine to a place to have the original repaired - a bit pricey but it did work - at least for a few days. grounding these things can be a pain in the rear and if it is not perfect it ain't going to work! I sent mine to Bob's Speedometer in Howell Michigan, 10123 Bergin Rd, 48843.

I guess it depends on how authentic you want to keep the truck. I went through the same thing with my 6400. The previous owner had changed it over, and had fried the original gauge. I just bought a after market gauge and sender from Car Quest, and bolted it under the dash, along with a new oil pressure gauge. Not original, but it looks ok, and it works. My truck is a 53, and I was reluctant to take the old cluster apart. Everything is over 50 years old, and stuck together forever. I was afraid that if trying to get it apart, I would break something else, so I just left it alone. That may not be good enough for you. Allen

Thank you all for the quick and helpful response. I did find the 12V at Classic Parts a week or so ago, but I assumed it required a corresponding sending unit which I couldn't find. Since I am already "working" a 2 month old order with them I chose not to hang my project on a "coming soon" part. Thanks again for the guidance and direction, its looking like 6V gauge and reducer.

Have got a nos fuel gauge for a 54-551st series truck. $45.00 plus shipping.

Anybody got a fuel guage for a '40 chev? Mine was fried by the PO during his conversion. I also assume my inst. lights and hi/lo beam indicator suffered the same fate.

My 1952 GMC gauge remains on full with key on. With key off reurns to empty. I took the sending unit wire off the tank and the fuel gauge(KEY ON)WENT TO A LITTLE ABOVE EMPTY ...RIGHT WHERE IT SHOULD BE. WHADDA guys think? bad ground? Terry1218