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86 owners..

  • Thread starter Thread starter clemsonf250
  • Start date Start date Feb 14, 2013
C

clemsonf250

Member
Nov 29, 1999
47
6
19
Upstate SC
Feb 14, 2013
#1
  • Feb 14, 2013
  • #1
My 86 Gt has sat for around 4 years without being started. I dropped the tank and have replaced the whole pump assembly, filler neck grommet, and the tank itself. I cant find a fuel level sending unit to replace mine that isnt working...
Anybody else replaced their sending unit ? whats your story?
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
4,265
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69
B.C. Canada
Feb 14, 2013
#2
  • Feb 14, 2013
  • #2
I just used a 87-93 fuel sender I believe.
 
C

clemsonf250

Member
Nov 29, 1999
47
6
19
Upstate SC
Feb 14, 2013
#3
  • Feb 14, 2013
  • #3
does your gauge read correctly?
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
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Feb 14, 2013
#4
  • Feb 14, 2013
  • #4
yep
 

Bill Gordon

Active Member
Sep 20, 2012
119
12
29
Broomfield, CO
Feb 14, 2013
#5
  • Feb 14, 2013
  • #5
I dropped my tank to put a Walbro pump in a few months ago, just noticed my gauge quit. Didn't mess with my sender. Just haven't had the ambition to drop the tank again. Resetting the trip meter at fill up works fine for now....
Below is a thread I came across recently while researching my sender...didn't know Ford used a different sender in 1986.
How to get ur fuel sending unit working on a 1986 mustang........


If u own a 1986 mustang and the fuel gauge doesn't work, most likely its the sending unit. Unfortunately the 86 stang is the only year that ford used this sending unit. U CAN"T BUY ONE NEW. AND THEY R HARD TO FIND IN JUNKYARDS. But what u can do is buy a Topaz fuel sending unit assemble and and swap it on to urs. I've tried it and it does work. he is the details and step by step. http://www.foureyedpride.com/joom/in...article&id=105
​
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
4,265
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69
B.C. Canada
Feb 15, 2013
#6
  • Feb 15, 2013
  • #6
Huh wish I would have had that link when I replaced mine. My gauge reads ok it is just notchy. I'll have to drop the tank and have a look at that board.
 

Bill Gordon

Active Member
Sep 20, 2012
119
12
29
Broomfield, CO
Feb 15, 2013
#7
  • Feb 15, 2013
  • #7
86bluecobra said:
Huh wish I would have had that link when I replaced mine. My gauge reads ok it is just notchy. I'll have to drop the tank and have a look at that board.
Click to expand...
Yea, I gotta drop mine again and see why it's not working. This link gives the resistance readings at full and empty, should make troubleshooting a little easier.
 
8

86bluecobra

Advanced Member
Dec 20, 2004
4,265
12
69
B.C. Canada
Feb 15, 2013
#8
  • Feb 15, 2013
  • #8
Yah according to that link what I did shouldn't work. Maybe thats why my gauge is so notchy. I think I'll buy the fuel sender he recommends and install the ceramic wound resistor.
 

1200gt

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
357
40
39
Feb 21, 2013
#9
  • Feb 21, 2013
  • #9
clemsonf250 said:
My 86 Gt has sat for around 4 years without being started. I dropped the tank and have replaced the whole pump assembly, filler neck grommet, and the tank itself. I cant find a fuel level sending unit to replace mine that isnt working...
Anybody else replaced their sending unit ? whats your story?
Click to expand...

Hey, I just went thru this issue with my 86 that sat for years.

Short answer: There are no more 86 sending units being made - unless in that past month. Others have gone to Dorman product for a guts swap of the sender-unit from the Ford Tempo and the likes to the shell of the 86. Chances are you 86sender is TOAST! and in no condition for a graft.

The problem , and the reason you can't jst use the 87-93 Fox unit is that the resistance, mating to the fuel gauge does not match you 86 gauge. Your 86 gauge won't read right with the 87-93 unit. I can give you more specs and direction on where to learn more if you'd like to pursue the guts swap, but the Dorman pieces are hard to find now as well. LMK

I am using and aftermarket gauge cluster with a matching guage to the 87-93 sender unit from Autometer.... Hey, most aftermarket parts suppliers won't be versed on this 86 issue so don't just by anything out there.

Hope this helps,

Dwayne
 

7991LXnSHO

wanna catch the space herp
10 Year Member
Sep 1, 2010
7,387
2,745
194
Kearney, NE
Feb 21, 2013
#10
  • Feb 21, 2013
  • #10
What about using a different gauge that matches the sender?
 
C

clemsonf250

Member
Nov 29, 1999
47
6
19
Upstate SC
Feb 21, 2013
#11
  • Feb 21, 2013
  • #11
1200gt said:
Hey, I just went thru this issue with my 86 that sat for years.

Short answer: There are no more 86 sending units being made - unless in that past month. Others have gone to Dorman product for a guts swap of the sender-unit from the Ford Tempo and the likes to the shell of the 86. Chances are you 86sender is TOAST! and in no condition for a graft.

The problem , and the reason you can't jst use the 87-93 Fox unit is that the resistance, mating to the fuel gauge does not match you 86 gauge. Your 86 gauge won't read right with the 87-93 unit. I can give you more specs and direction on where to learn more if you'd like to pursue the guts swap, but the Dorman pieces are hard to find now as well. LMK

I am using and aftermarket gauge cluster with a matching guage to the 87-93 sender unit from Autometer.... Hey, most aftermarket parts suppliers won't be versed on this 86 issue so don't just by anything out there.

Hope this helps,

Dwayne
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. Im hoping i can try to clean my sender up with some carb cleaner and it will come back to life, but i doubt it. Guess ill be watching craigslist for a 86 fuel tank someone swapped out for a fuel cell.
 

1200gt

Active Member
Nov 29, 1999
357
40
39
Feb 22, 2013
#12
  • Feb 22, 2013
  • #12
That's an option, just be sure to ask if the car was consistanly running before the swap.

LMK if the cleanup works. If not I'll try to put you in a better direction. Is it a must-do-now fix or are you in a rebuild mode? I have part numbers for the Dorman Tempo unit. You may be able to hunt it down. Also have complete instruction with photos on how to do it - It's easy. I opted not because I bought a really nice full instrument cluster with autometer gauges, so the stock fuel gauge wouldnot be used anymore. This way, I had autometer match me up a gauge to the resistance of the 87-93.

LMK,

Dwayne
 
C

clemsonf250

Member
Nov 29, 1999
47
6
19
Upstate SC
Feb 22, 2013
#13
  • Feb 22, 2013
  • #13
1200gt said:
That's an option, just be sure to ask if the car was consistanly running before the swap.

LMK if the cleanup works. If not I'll try to put you in a better direction. Is it a must-do-now fix or are you in a rebuild mode? I have part numbers for the Dorman Tempo unit. You may be able to hunt it down. Also have complete instruction with photos on how to do it - It's easy. I opted not because I bought a really nice full instrument cluster with autometer gauges, so the stock fuel gauge wouldnot be used anymore. This way, I had autometer match me up a gauge to the resistance of the 87-93.

LMK,

Dwayne
Click to expand...

Its more of a slow restomod, piece together that ive been planning for years. Drove the car in high school, always wanted it fast, well faster. Now it will be, but id like to have a working fuel gauge. Ill let you know how it goes.
 
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