Fuel gauge install on a 56 oval

desminton Learner Dubber

16 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 14 Apr 2010, 10:01 pm

#773211

Hi all

Pretty new to this forum so apologies if this has been covered elsewhere but I cant find anything.

I've just got myself a 56 Bug and noticed that the mileometer isn't working although the speedo is (and its in MPH).

Is it possible to put a newer speedo (KPH) in along with the fuel gauge so that I don't have to chop anything out of the dash or put the gauge under the dash?

Its already been converted to 12v if that is an issue.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Des

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Apr 2010, 8:14 am

#773259

Des

Yes its possible the later gauge from a 68 - 70 or 76 flat dash type
its the same size they usually go for $150 ?? on Ebay in Klms

the S and L bugs wont fit from memory

You will have to fit a sender unit to the tank can get one from VDO and calibrate as well plus the wiring for gauge and earth the tank as well

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

desminton Learner Dubber

16 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 15 Apr 2010, 8:50 am

#773264

Cheers Dave

Bit of a novice so apologies in advance if this is a stupid question, the sender unit does that fit in the fuel tank through the existing petrol filler or does it require additional hole(s) to be drilled in the tank and if so what is the safest way of doing this?

Des

rose doin it for d girls

2,036 posts · joined Dec 2004 · 15 Apr 2010, 1:26 pm

#773307

Just get your speedo fixed and work out the ltrs fuel per mile, my oval gets about 250miles per tank with some left in there and I have a 1915 with twin carbs make sure you have the reserve tap turned to the correct position. I haven't ran out of fuel yet and I've had my oval for 6 years now with no guages.

vw54 Administrator Always Waiting 4 Friday

16,723 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 15 Apr 2010, 5:37 pm

#773346

you have to drill a new hole for the sender unit

but as per Rose and make sure the reserve tank is working it will give u about 60 klms to get to a station

I read it on FACEBOOK so it must be true

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=91278&page=1#pid848630

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=63561&page=1#pid624099

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=4832&page=1#pid452603

http://forums.aussieveedubbers.com/viewtopic.php?tid=60650&page=1#pid574409

FROSTY Insano Dub Head

744 posts · joined May 2009 · 15 Apr 2010, 7:12 pm

#773365

You have your new 56 for what it is....either smile and know that your driving a 56 that everone else envies or sell it and get a later model. Please don't go cutting anything on something that old. Have you got a photo, love to see it?

rose doin it for d girls

2,036 posts · joined Dec 2004 · 15 Apr 2010, 7:55 pm

#773377

I smile a lot while driving mine.

I would like to see pics as well.

FROSTY wrote:You have your new 56 for what it is....either smile and know that your driving a 56 that everone else envies or sell it and get a later model. Please don't go cutting anything on something that old. Have you got a photo, love to see it?

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 15 Apr 2010, 8:35 pm

#773386

It is nice to have a 56 with a reserve fuel tap,but occasionally you will forget to flip back to main tank with dire results.Whitworths have auxiliary fuel gauges and senders that can be fitted to any fuel tank.

desminton Learner Dubber

16 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 15 Apr 2010, 9:35 pm

#773392

Hi

I have a few photos on Flickr, will upload more when internet connection can take it (maxed out for the month already!). Go to Flickr and search for username des.minton, some of oval, my old 65 and the 72 Marathon I had back in UK. Also if interested check out www.66split.info and this is my kombi I sold last summer back in the UK to help fund the move to Oz.

Understand concerns over chopping up such an old car but the speedo upgrade and putting in the fuel sender unit is a minor mod surely?

Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Apr 2010, 7:33 am

#773428

PLEASE don't cut anything on the dashboard of such a classic old car!

Yes as Dave said, your best bet is to buy a later model post '68 speedo that has a fuel gauge built in. Even better, if you can find one on Ebay, is a US-spec 1967 speedo that uses the same 'old style' look with a fuel gauge built in.

As for senders - VDO makes a range of vertical senders in different lengths. You'll need to cut a hole in the top flat centre of the tank to fit it. Your car will need to be 12V for it to work, and your speedo fuel gauge needs to be calibrated to the sender.

Most oval (in fact, all pre '62 VWs) owners don't bother - they just drive it with the fuel tap as the maker intended.

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Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Apr 2010, 7:35 am

#773429

This is the metric version - you'll have to find a seller in Europe for one of these.

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Phil74Camper Head in the Clouds

2,703 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 16 Apr 2010, 7:38 am

#773431

This is the '68 speedo that you'll find in Aussie Beetles - as you can see the fonts are a bit different and it won't have that 'period' look. But it will be much easier to find in a swapmeet, and be heaps cheaper.

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desminton Learner Dubber

16 posts · joined Mar 2010 · 16 Apr 2010, 7:52 am

#773433

Phil

Thanks for that, no intention of cutting dash, doing this mod seems to be the best way as the untrained eye won't even notice it.

Cheers

Des