Understanding the gas tank

M

mattsmall1972

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 14, 2006
Messages
238
I pulled the gas tank from my '78 Cobia today for repairs on the engine (project boat). The gas tank appears to completely covered in varnish inside, and I know it will need to be cleaned before getting the engine started.

I took the important parts out of the gas tank, and I can see that whatever the sending unit used to be, it's clearly not that anymore.

I have no experience whatsoever with gas tanks. I've reseached on the web and see that I can have the tank cleaned at a radiatior shop, but the sending unit stuff isn't clear to me.

I believe it's the round thing that looks like the gas filler cap on a racing car (but is definitely not the filling place). There were NO wires or anything else on the underside of this part except rust. I don't understand how it sends the info to the gauge. Should there be more to this? Is it easily replacable with universal parts? I see ohm ratings and everything on websites, what do I need?

Thank you,
Matt
 
D

dmarkvid2

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 29, 2005
Messages
478
Re: Understanding the gas tank

There should be some kind of float arm that fits in the tank attached to the sending unit. As the float moves up and down and gas tank is filled and used, that electrinicly tells the gauge how much fuel you have left. There should be some kind of wires on the unit. Mine has 3 screw holes to attach the unit to the tank. I'm sure the people who know how to clean the tank will know what you have, and what you need.
 
bjcsc

bjcsc

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2006
Messages
1,805
Re: Understanding the gas tank

What is the tank made out of? If it's aluminum you might want to think about replacing it with a new polyethylene tank vs. having it cleaned. The costs may be similar, but the failure rates are not.
 
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