[CollinsCougar]

So, I pulled my fuel sending unit only to find it CAKED with "rust"... Is there a way to clean it and get conductance back into the strip of metal feeding the sending unit? I think I am going to commit to buying a new tank, but I am just unsure on what to do with the sending unit assembly...WCCC says a used unit is much better than a repro ($75 vs $30)...months ago I already bought new float, filter and gasket, so if there is a reliable way to repair my existing one, I would like to...or is it just better to buy one that is known to work?

HELP, please... Thank you!

Here are some images of this rusty mess:
<img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KpUMvjMIWcw/T0GmKVhi1KI/AAAAAAAAAbE/1JLv1h1N9do/s600/120219_5.jpg'/>
<img src='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2jx8eOigPhA/T0GmKR6SdEI/AAAAAAAAAa4/oeO23vkiR7U/s400/120219_6.jpg'/><img src='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lwiIVULDUwA/T0GmLt-ARXI/AAAAAAAAAbI/tWuI5-owarY/s400/120219_7.jpg'/>
<img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--27vG1wvx7w/T0GmLiob-CI/AAAAAAAAAbU/qUyQ1h4mOAE/s400/120219_8.jpg'/>

Appears to be no electrical conductance:
<img src='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DYZLPpHP5Sk/T0GmMMJdsnI/AAAAAAAAAbc/2qLpksG1GHU/s400/120219_9.jpg'/>

 

[sweetair]

I am no pro here, but that sending unit looks like toast to me. I'd cough up the $75 for a used original like Don recommended.

Good luck

 

[Ron67]

I would replace that for sure hows the inside of the tank look? I know the sell some type of coating system for insides of tanks my dad used it on 77 mustang tank because they dont repop them yet. I used a repop unit and tank in my cougar never had a problem so far..But if you want to clean it look around on youtube I seen a guy cleaning parts in a tub of water with a scrap stainless trim as a conductor rod hooked to a batt charger not sure if it would work on that item like this.. then I seen a guy on t.v put a fender in a kiddie pool with some kinda maple syrup water mix looked like a new fender after 2 days of setting in it and its safe to pour drown the drain. youtube or google should come up with something

 

[CollinsCougar]

Stuck my finger in the tank and I could feel the rusty-scale on the inside...so that is why I was just going to buy a new one, figured trying to remove the scale and then coat it I would probably be close to the $100 for a new one (especially if I factored in my time)...hmmm

Thanks for the input so far, anyone else?

 

[1969XR7Vert]

That sender is toast.

Yes, the repro's are not the greatest, but work fine. The only thing I did was encapsulate the inside of the terminal feedthrough with Ultra Black RTV for extra insurance, I have heard of them sometimes leaking. Hope this helps.

 

[Harvey]

With the look of that sender I think I would replace tank, sender and all the lines up to the carb too!

 

[CollinsCougar]

Well, just talked with Lin and ordered a new tank and a repro sending unit. Hopefully they arrive by the weekend (I LOVE being so close to WCCC) and I can install them over the weekend. Thanks for the feedback, and thanks Bob - I will be sure to add a little RTV sealant to the terminal feed-through.

 

[67MercCat]

In the future, you could have used an electrolysis process it would have gotten it clean as new for next to nothing man. The fuel sending unit would probably have been too damaged anyways but this is great for future reference, Check this vid out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4yYF8gSHdA

 

[catman]

Here's another one. http://www.instructables.com/id/Electrolytic-Rust-Removal-aka-Magic/ I have said this time and time, it really works. http://web.archive.org/web/20070819152748/http://www3.telus.net/public/aschoepp/electrolyticrust.html

Try it on the fuel sender. Just for the heck of it. It will only cost you a few bucks.

 

[Mike_B_SVT]

So a question on the "fuel tank" theme...

I know the tanks get crusty over time. Is there a recommended method to clean these up? Or are the repo's a good match, and better bet?

 

[67MercCat]

the best way to clean a tank is to get that POR-15 from my knowledge. Works like a charm and the stuff dries hard as a rock.