Fuel Guage Help Please?

[Psycho71]

I have a 71 long bed. The fuel guage is not working, and I really need it to. I am very good at the mechanical end of vehicles but fall way short when it comes to understanding the electrical workings. I do know basic stuff but have never really been told how the fuel sending unit works.

My thought is; Agiven amount of voltage (12v?) is sent into the sending unit, the float has a wiper that contacts a resistor (or something) that varies the voltage sent back to the guage.

Am I right? If not where am I wrong? Could someone please explain this to me. I promise you will only have to do it once. I have all of the factory components in place (sending unit, and guage). As the wiring in my truck has been severly butchered I will be rewiring the whole truck at some point, just trying to get it to where I can drive it right now.

Any help is appreciated.


Jay