Fuel tank sender

For now, I lumped all the pre-war cars together, I would LOVE for there to be enough demand to split it into groups (hint...hint, post here about your pre-war Singer)
froux
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Fuel tank sender

Post by froux »

Hi all, i'm now working on the fuel tank of my '37 9 sports. I've removed the fuel tank sender and it's of course completely rotten and stuck.
I don't see any in Dave Hardwick's catalog. Would anyone have a suggestion for a replacement one from another vehicle ?

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mothy
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by mothy »

I recently bought the book The 1930s Singer Sports Cars by the late Dave Hardwick and David Andreassen. This was published in 2013.
I have not yet read it, but I went and looked up fuel gauge/sender.

p149 states that "if your tank unit is corroded, the VDO company markets a replacement unit that has the correct number and PCD of holes."

I have no idea what or who the VDO company is, probably there is a previous reference in the book.

I suggest that you email "Dave Hardwick Spares" singerlmspares@btinternet.com and ask them about this source.

Thanks

Roly
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Used to own a 1934 Singer Le Mans

Beer: So much more than just a breakfast drink.
froux
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by froux »

Thanks for your input. I have to order this book.
I know VDO is a german equipment manufacturer, dials on my 911 are made by them.
They seem to make 5 bolt fuel sender.

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I have to check that they are compatible with the dash gauge.
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mothy
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by mothy »

I have sent you an email.

Thanks

Roly
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Used to own a 1934 Singer Le Mans

Beer: So much more than just a breakfast drink.
froux
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by froux »

Thanks for your helpful message.
Maybe a VW beetle sender is what they refer to :

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I'll ask my "beetle expert" (or "coccinelle" as we call them here) friend.
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mothy
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by mothy »

What you found first of all looks physically the same.
As suggested before, maybe an email to Dave Hardwick Spares will clear that up.

Roly
-----------------------------------------------
Used to own a 1934 Singer Le Mans

Beer: So much more than just a breakfast drink.
davida
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by davida »

Hi

You are not good detectives
VDO has head office in Germany with branches in many countries including Australia.
Find a Speedo and Instrument shop and ask for VDO fuel tank senders and gauges.

If you really cannot find a shop I can buy a unit here in Melbourne Australia

Best wishes
David Andreassen , author of Singer Sports cars of 1930s
Stephen
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by Stephen »

Hi David .. Firstly let me apologize for butting in on this thread.. but I have been trying to contact you thru your email address with no luck, as I would like to purchase your book Singer sports cars of the 1930.s.
Please advise how to go about buying one.
Regards
Stephen
South Australia
froux
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by froux »

A little update on the subject. It was difficult on the phone or via email to get the precise dimensions of the vdo sender so I've bought a rubber gasket from a local vw bug specialist. The vdo sender also has 5 bolts but its diameter is much smaller so not easily adaptable. I think i'll continue to use my wood stick fuel level measurement device. Very reliable though... :lol:
cdk84
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by cdk84 »

Dear Froux,

Nice to hear you are progressing on your project. Taking on a only a couple of things at a time is a great way to insure success.

The fact that your VDO gasket is smaller than the opening in your fuel tank makes things quite easy. Here are the steps I suggest:

1) trace the outer diameter of the plate from your original fuel sender, including the holes for mounting

2) transfer this template to a sheet of 1/8" mild steel sheet stock

3) trace and transfer the pattern of the VDO plate concentrically to the same sheet of mild steel stock

4) drill out the smaller hole in the center of the template (this will provide the opening to mount the VDO plate in the larger plate)

5) drill the mounting holes that correspond to the VDO mounting plate

6) cut out the larger circle that corresponds to the outer dimension of the original part and drill its mounting holes

7) test fit the two plates' alignment

8) correct alignment if necessary

9) paint the mild steel with a petrol-resistant paint

10) mount the VDO fuel sensor to the mild steel plate

11) adjust the fuel sensor to read correctly with your dash gauge

12) bolt it all together

be grateful that the VDO plat was SMALLER than the original plate....

Sending Smiles your way,

David
froux
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by froux »

Thanks David.
Very helpful. A little beyond my technical capacities. But i'll check the feasability with better skilled friends .
François.
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jeans_old_man
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by jeans_old_man »

This is my first attempt at rewinding the 'rheostat' inside the petrol gauge sender. I'm not happy with it and have ordered some more wire to have another go. The resistance is 60 ohms. I should have enough wire for three parts. If anyone wants one let me know. Regards Brian
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Axo
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by Axo »

Dear Jeans_old_man,
I have the sender of my '33 Singer 9 in a very bad condition
Do you think it may be fixed?
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Peter McKercher
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by Peter McKercher »

jeans_old_man wrote:This is my first attempt at rewinding the 'rheostat' inside the petrol gauge sender. I'm not happy with it and have ordered some more wire to have another go. The resistance is 60 ohms. I should have enough wire for three parts. If anyone wants one let me know. Regards Brian
Do you wind until the resistance equals 60 ohms or do you measure a length of wire that reads 60 ohms? If so, how long is that and what gauge of wire are you using?
Peter McKercher
Vice President - NASOC
Pre war Singer Specialist and Collector
Automotive Historian
Author of "Racing Roadsters"

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Danish
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Re: Fuel tank sender

Post by Danish »

Try a Hillman Imp fuel sender. That's what my father fitted.
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