#1  
Old 01-10-2021, 04:50 PM
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Aaron65 Aaron65 is offline
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Default 1974 fuel tank/sender question

Hi everybody,

I got my '74 Esprit five years ago, and I've had a problem with the fuel gauge for about four of those years. I got it working accurately by really cleaning the power connection on the sender (the male and female portions). When it was dirty, the gauge would always be pegged full.

Well, the gauge is back to reading over full much of the time, but occasionally comes back to normal again. I'm wondering if the sender has a bad spot or two. Here's my problem: I understand that '74s have a one-year only tank. Mine seems to have been replaced; it's a Michigan car with a tank (inside and out) in perfect shape.

I've attached a picture of the filler neck, which seems too far in (always has). I guess someone used a generic '74-'81 tank - does that mean I can use a generic '74-'81 sending unit? Has anyone had any luck with a certain brand/seller? Thanks for any help you can give me.

Aaron
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  #2  
Old 01-10-2021, 05:06 PM
Aus78Formula Aus78Formula is offline
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A fuel gauge pegged past full is usually a grounding issue, the same as if unplugged. Easy to check the ground wire on the underside of the tail panel. Remove, clean up metal and reinstall. It also often gets cut or damaged while swapping tanks and forgetting to unplug....ahem....
Otherwise it's on the sender end and harder to check without dropping the lot.
The tank is usually shaped like the floor, depending on spare tyre location etc, as well as fittings. Up to 78 was the same, but 79 -81 uses the longer neck to get out past larger bumper and lights. For Camaro this size started in 78 models, but tank itself is the same. Too far in on a 74 is a weird one, but I don't know how they compare to 78 and 79 neck lengths.

  #3  
Old 01-10-2021, 05:41 PM
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Held for Ransom Held for Ransom is offline
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My '74s filler necks sit that far in. If nothing looks like it's been punched out for the larger nozzle or it's small to fit the small nozzles, it probably hasn't been changed out.

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Old 01-11-2021, 07:32 AM
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Aaron65 Aaron65 is offline
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The bolts that hold the straps to the tail panel also have some washers underneath to hold the tank a little lower, which is also a little strange. Oh well, I've had it down a few times, what's one more? The ground is tight, but I did have to cut/add some wire last time - I'll have to see what kind of connector I used on that.

__________________
1974 Firebird Esprit
1953 Buick Special Riviera
1963 Riviera
1963 Thunderbird
1965 Mustang
1965 Skylark Sport Coupe
1965 Dart 170 Wagon
1965 Corvair Monza Convertible
  #5  
Old 01-11-2021, 07:37 AM
Aus78Formula Aus78Formula is offline
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The washers shouldn't be there, if they are tight on them, they are not tight on the tank. It only sits one height against floor. Again, could be strap/tank mismatch made to work somewhat.

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