Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Topic: Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners (Read 1160 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

August 14, 2013, 08:37:04 PM

The rusty one came out of a 1977 Lincoln Continental Town Car. The new one is claimed to fit said car however they are different and the new one hits the bottom of the tank unless I rotate it which then inhibits the float from reaching the 'full' mark. Does anyone know what cars or trucks the new one goes to?

http://s1350.photobucket.com/user/Cougars2go/library/

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #1 – August 15, 2013, 08:12:29 AM

Ok, another question. If I cut the bottom of the pickup tube to a length that works better, does that expose the metal tube to quicker corrosion or is the metal itself made of some sort of composite? In other words, does anyone know if these pickup tubes are coated with anything or are their corrosion slowing properties integrated within the metal itself?

(Can't find a Lincoln forum with a large presence of 70's hobbyists.)

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #2 – August 15, 2013, 10:25:06 AM

To me it looks like it has a chromate finish. I'd shorten it and move on. Where'd you get the new one from??

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #3 – August 15, 2013, 05:22:01 PM

if you cut the tube it will corrode faster since these are plated with a zinc coating. Could you bend the float arm to make it work correctly?

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #4 – August 15, 2013, 09:16:29 PM

Quote from: 1BadBird;420091

To me it looks like it has a chromate finish. I'd shorten it and move on. Where'd you get the new one from??

ebay

"finish" coupled with:

Quote from: 88turbo;420107

if you cut the tube it will corrode faster since these are plated with a zinc coating.

tells me cutting it isn't an option.

I can't bend the float arm because then it wouldn't read empty when it's really empty. I would need to shorten it but that's not a viable option for me. Shortening the tube is more achievable but based on your replies, that's not a good idea. I asked the seller about this part before buying it and he claims he has sold many for my car model and no one has reported problems. My suspicion is that it is either 85% sufficient and all the prior customers aren't detail-oriented enough to notice or care or perhaps it works enough for me to not even notice and it's fine.

Thanks for chiming in about the finish/coating. That's what I needed to know to determine my options.

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #5 – August 15, 2013, 09:33:33 PM

The tube can be cut with no issues. As it will sit in the bottom of the tank surrounded with fuel that will eliminate oxygen and without oxygen it wont corrode. I cut Fuel lines every day with absolutely no issues. When we pipe a car for fuel brakes or any other system that requires custom line cutting is a fact of life. Other than E85 which is very corrosive you will not have any issues cutting . Or just a thought?? Can you bend it to fit?? Not the float the tubing. Without seeing it it is hard for me to vision the issue. Thanks Tom

Note another option!!!!

Remove the IN TANK filter. SOCK from the new sender. This should get you the room you need i think. Then install a 100 Micron filter in the line between the pump and the sender. I do this all the time and it works great. With this setup you can service the suction side filter without dropping the tank. Be worned you must not use a finer filter than 100 Microns. If you do the pump will starve for fuel Good luck!!

NOTE keep the pickup off the bottom of the tank by at least 1"

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #6 – August 15, 2013, 10:15:52 PM

Hmmm...

a few options to think about.

Hmmm...

Cool, thanks for chiming in and thanks to everyone for their input. This is why I don't even bother with the Lincoln forums because there aren't any 70's Linc/Merc groups I can find and you guys are excellent enough even with cars that aren't our platform.

If I leave the in-tank screen on and the end of the tube is cut at an angle, can it affect flow if the fuel sock is pushed all the way until the bottom hits the end of the tube or should I leave some space in there and have the tube end about mid-point inside the sock/screen housing?

Fuel sending unit: pro-five-oh, any 70's Linc/Merc folks and shop owners

Reply #7 – August 16, 2013, 09:56:56 PM

Remove the in tank filter. They have a tendency to clog with the new fuels. I have many customers that come in to the shop with clogged ones. Simple deduction. If you eliminate the in tank screen or Pre Filter and install one outside the tank it is very easy to change . Just a THOUGHT!!! There is absolutely no benefit of having it in the tank whatsoever. Just saying!!!

The sock should be installed with 2/3 of its length away from the pipe. Pushing it down on the sock and twords the bottom is not a very good idea. Just saying.