Need input on the gas gauge/sender/tank issue - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

zac · 02-04-2019, 02:50 PM

Got my ‘79 K20 in pretty good driver condition, sorting out the nagging smaller things. The gas gauge thing is one that got pushed to the end, for good reason. I’ve fixed that problem and had the tank dropped way too many times. I have no qualms at all about spending the money on doing a new tank and sender, and whatever else might need replacing. But my experience with repop stuff in this area has been very bad from a quality and fitment standpoint. Most of that experience was more than a decade ago with a ‘70 K10 burb, which is a different animal I know but you can get my point. All this stuff is readily available for squares at suspiciously low prices. What’s been your experience with new reproduction fuel system parts?

kazoocruiser · 02-04-2019, 03:24 PM

I just replaced both the tank and sender with Spectrum units and had no problems with either. I did a lot of research and finally bought the parts locally through Pep Boys, by using their website and delivering the parts to a store local to me. That way, if the parts weren't correct, I didn't have to deal with alternative sources like E-bay. They had the best price of all the research I did.

**hatzie** · 02-04-2019, 04:58 PM

What are the symptoms if I may be so bold?

A lot of the time senders are not the issue. A stock 1979 with the NL2 dual tank option uses the dash switch to control the sender that's feeding the gauge. A lot of the time it's the $10 switch that's the problem.
It's fairly easy to troubleshoot. This is the Dual Tank Theory of Operation thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754061 Look at the post for the 73-80 systems.

zac · 02-04-2019, 07:26 PM

It’s the stuck at 3 o’clock deal, open from the sender. This truck was massacred mechanically before I got it and the whole system is stuff ive patched together over the years. One plastic tank on the drivers side, other tank gone, switch bypassed as is the valve. I would just like to start over with a steel 20 on the drivers side and a new sender. Ideally I only want to do this one more time.

02-04-2019, 02:50 PM	#1
zac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 502	Need input on the gas gauge/sender/tank issue Got my ‘79 K20 in pretty good driver condition, sorting out the nagging smaller things. The gas gauge thing is one that got pushed to the end, for good reason. I’ve fixed that problem and had the tank dropped way too many times. I have no qualms at all about spending the money on doing a new tank and sender, and whatever else might need replacing. But my experience with repop stuff in this area has been very bad from a quality and fitment standpoint. Most of that experience was more than a decade ago with a ‘70 K10 burb, which is a different animal I know but you can get my point. All this stuff is readily available for squares at suspiciously low prices. What’s been your experience with new reproduction fuel system parts?

02-04-2019, 03:24 PM	#2
kazoocruiser Registered User Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Bronx, NY Posts: 215	Re: Need input on the gas gauge/sender/tank issue I just replaced both the tank and sender with Spectrum units and had no problems with either. I did a lot of research and finally bought the parts locally through Pep Boys, by using their website and delivering the parts to a store local to me. That way, if the parts weren't correct, I didn't have to deal with alternative sources like E-bay. They had the best price of all the research I did. __________________ 1981 C-10 Longbed, 250 (4.1) 2bbl Varajet, THM-350C. Some of the Build progress: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_W...foLyeDq_WQPNmA 1981 Harley Davidson. Credentialed, semi-retired A.S.E. technician. If you don't like free advice, Ask Someone Else and pay for it.

02-04-2019, 04:58 PM	#3
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 4,977	Re: Need input on the gas gauge/sender/tank issue What are the symptoms if I may be so bold? A lot of the time senders are not the issue. A stock 1979 with the NL2 dual tank option uses the dash switch to control the sender that's feeding the gauge. A lot of the time it's the $10 switch that's the problem. It's fairly easy to troubleshoot. This is the Dual Tank Theory of Operation thread. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=754061 Look at the post for the 73-80 systems. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

02-04-2019, 07:26 PM	#4
zac Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: louisville, ky Posts: 502	Re: Need input on the gas gauge/sender/tank issue It’s the stuck at 3 o’clock deal, open from the sender. This truck was massacred mechanically before I got it and the whole system is stuff ive patched together over the years. One plastic tank on the drivers side, other tank gone, switch bypassed as is the valve. I would just like to start over with a steel 20 on the drivers side and a new sender. Ideally I only want to do this one more time.



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