The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs How to create a gas sender/pickup for a TF burb?

My current plan is to modify a repro pickup sender because it's stainless, I have one, and my original is pretty rough. Since I need to shorten the tube anyways I can point the float and pickup pretty much any way that I care to. Is there a preferred direction (across, lengthways or split the difference) to orient these bits. My inclination is to point both towards the passenger side because there is room. I suspect that it really doesn't matter but I thought that I'd ask before I cut and fit. By the way does the pickup screen cause more problems than it solves in old trucks? Thanks for any input. John

I modified a pickup unit to exactly duplicate the original, GM knew what worked, and no doubt had a reason to orient it as they did .... I also used the sock, any problems that occur won't be the screens fault

Bill

Thanks Bill.
Your approach is the one that I use most frequently. In this instance the original tank design seems to have at least one questionable element. In that the tank bottom has enough area that it takes well more than a gallon to cover the pickup tube. In a tank of this size it would be nice to be able to use that fuel. Also when trucks are this old there has been plenty of opportunity for creative maintenance. Since I have seen a grand total of one of these vehicles I'm not sure that what I have is original. For reference, my original sender points the pickup pretty much straight at the filler neck. I'll duplicate that unless someone has a good reason not to. Thanks for the help. John

I too copied the orig. Cut the tube and put a loop in the float wire. If you Pm your email, I will send a pic of the original and you can see what one looks like. Whatever you do, it all has to fit into the hole. If you want the last gallon, put a hose on the end of the tube so it lays in the "last gas". I don't really recommend that.

Thanks for the pics Bartamos.

It appears that my original sender was original. That is, it was before a PO had the tank cleaned and sealed. I'd guess that they left the sender in while they etched the tank. The result being a sender that looks as if it's about to rust through. Then they cut off the sock leaving the tube too short to get near the tank bottom. I'm sure that there's a lesson in this somewhere. Thanks to all for the help. John

You can also just drive around with a full one gal. gas can!

Great minds and all that... The PO had jig sawwed a hole in the floor above the sender. The last time that I moved the vehicle I was tired of it just dying. So I reached down, disconnected the rubber line that attached to the pickup and stuck it in a one gallon gas can on the rear floor. Pretty much the same program. John

I have a Suburban tank I'm using on my pickup (to get the tank out of the cab). If you modify a pickup truck sending unit be careful to make it just like the original. If not the float might hang up on the tank baffle plates.

Mike B