I'd like to fit a fuel gauge to my Oval. I'm not really interested in NOS accessories eyc - I just want something that will work with my late-model speedo gauge. Does anybody have any hints as to what model sender etc I should use? Oval tank is quite tall...
56astro ·
Hey GT
I fitted a VDO sender and guage. I'm not sure of the compatability of the VDO sender and VW guage though.
The VDO sender in the tank is adaptable depending on tank size. The instructions make it pretty clear on how to mod the float etc.
VWFOOL ·
steve, if i just go to the car store and buy myself a VDO fuel gauge, shuld it be easy enuff to follow the instructions and hook it all up?
wat did u hav to do exactly to the tank?
keep running out of petrol....
thnaks
sam
56astro ·
There is a template in the kit to guide you on what size hole to cut in the top of the tank.
I got mine through my auto electrician so he ordered what would work for my set up. I don't know much about electrical stuff (except that it hurts if you get between it and ground!) but I'm guessing that the generic VDO sender will work.
I calibrated mine so that it shows empty well above the top of the pick-up tube.
nbturbo ·
I bought a VDO 2250264 54mm welding flange and a VDO 220.003 universal sender.I had an instrument bloke recalibrate the tank unit to suit the VW speedo fuel guage.On the invoice he has charged me $25 for a "resistance card" which he must fit to the tank unit.I haven't actually set the float arm up yet for full movement in the tank. On my first tank,I asked a sheet metal place to TIG weld the flange in,which turned out to be a mistake.I waited for months for the job,and when it was done, it had been MIG welded by a blind bastard-roughest job you could see.I threw the tank in the green bin and started again. Cut hole with hole saw on opposite end to filler and marked out the mounting holes-you need to take care with these because the holes aren't concentric. Holes need to be drilled to allow float to operate towards centre of tank.I drilled 2 small holes between the others and counter bored them in the tank and used 2 small fine thread brass countersunk screws to hold flange in place for when the tank unit is taken out.(the heads just sat up a small amount,so used the sander to smooth the whole thing before painting)Just put the flange into the filler hole and turn tank upside down and let it slide across to the hole.When you line it all up you can fit the nuts to the small screws thru the hole.When its all bolted up,the tank unit screws hold things tight and you will have no leaks and it all looks neat and original.
VWCOOL ·
Astro, I assume that was a swing-arm style floaty thingo? And not a tube like the original VW ones?
56astro ·
Yep
😉
Dasdubber ·
I know it goes without saying but make sure you don't attempt any welding or cutting of the tank with anything that will make sparks until the tank is thoroughly cleaned and all residue removed....we don't want any additions to the Darwin Awards 😉
When I had my AN bungs welded in for breather and outlet the tank was steam cleaned I think or boiled or something before work commenced on it.
vw54 ·
Go buy a VDO unit no welding required at all I fitted on bout 20 yearsago... they work well. you just have to calibrate it by bending the float arms once fitted
VWCOOL ·
Dasdubber wrote:I know it goes without saying but make sure you don't attempt any welding or cutting of the tank with anything that will make sparks until the tank is thoroughly cleaned and all residue removed....we don't want any additions to the Darwin Awards 😉
When I had my AN bungs welded in for breather and outlet the tank was steam cleaned I think or boiled or something before work commenced on it.
I will proabaly use a spare tank I have that has been sitting for years... and fill it with water when I cut n weld
VWCOOL ·
vw54 wrote:Go buy a VDO unit no welding required at all I fitted on bout 20 yearsago... they work well. you just have to calibrate it by bending the float arms once fitted
okay.. just cut a hole...?
vw54 ·
yeah thers a hole cut diagram that comes with the kit and a split space that slips int oteh tank to make the unit screw up n seal off pretty easy