Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations nee
- Steve Raucher
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:58 am
- Location: Seaside CA 93955
Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations nee
Hello all 356'ers,
I have breached this subject before. Anyone in the States restoring original gas tank fuel senders 356A?
Mine is dated 4/58 and it is out of round warped where it screws down on top of fuel filler opening. A bit of gas leaks out when topped off even though I have applied a sealer to the connection.
I cannot do it myself but it seems to me a craftsman could gently massage it back correctly, unless it is too brittle. I hear I cannot even buy a reproduction sender unless you tell me otherwise.
Thank you,
Steve
I have breached this subject before. Anyone in the States restoring original gas tank fuel senders 356A?
Mine is dated 4/58 and it is out of round warped where it screws down on top of fuel filler opening. A bit of gas leaks out when topped off even though I have applied a sealer to the connection.
I cannot do it myself but it seems to me a craftsman could gently massage it back correctly, unless it is too brittle. I hear I cannot even buy a reproduction sender unless you tell me otherwise.
Thank you,
Steve
- Mike Wilson
- Classifieds Monitor
- Posts: 11637
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: SW Los Angeles
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
In the U.S., Specialty Cars Service Center (service center.com) repairs VDO fuel senders.
Mike
Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
- Jules Dielen
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3206
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
- Location: Arizona
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
I just sent 2 of mine to Joris Koning in Amsterdam. Fantastic service, excellent quality and quick turnaround. Absolutely worth filling out a customs form for at the USPS
Jules
Water pumps are for windshield washers only.
Water pumps are for windshield washers only.
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- 356 Fan
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- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:28 pm
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
Joris is The Man for restoration of those fuel senders -- see viewtopic.php?f=1&t=47192&p=320956&hilit=Joris#p320956
- Mike Wilson
- Classifieds Monitor
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- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: SW Los Angeles
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
I agree Joris does stellar work but Steve asked for a source in the states so now he has options.
Mike
Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
- Steve Raucher
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 772
- Joined: Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:58 am
- Location: Seaside CA 93955
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
Thanks for chiming in Guys.
I saw Joris ad and sent him email.
Likely I will go with suggested PA firm.
KTF,
Steve
I saw Joris ad and sent him email.
Likely I will go with suggested PA firm.
KTF,
Steve
- Mike Wilson
- Classifieds Monitor
- Posts: 11637
- Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
- Location: SW Los Angeles
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
As always, we're here to be of help, Steve.
Mike
Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe
-
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 4184
- Joined: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:54 am
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
Steve,
I've done a few in the past w/success--even the sloppy pivot which the internal wiper looses contact to the coil. (or its tip)
Dick (Cin'ti, OH)
I've done a few in the past w/success--even the sloppy pivot which the internal wiper looses contact to the coil. (or its tip)
Dick (Cin'ti, OH)
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- 356 Fan
- Posts: 4207
- Joined: Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:28 pm
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
Wasn't there an article in Registry mag about rebuilding fuel level senders? Anybody provide a link or present a copy?
- Jules Dielen
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 3206
- Joined: Fri Mar 28, 2008 3:25 pm
- Location: Arizona
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
it's warped, not broken.
Jules
Water pumps are for windshield washers only.
Water pumps are for windshield washers only.
- Joris Koning
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 2518
- Joined: Thu Mar 27, 2008 12:38 pm
- Location: Netherlands
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
All, thank for some of the nice comments. These senders are not rocket science as otherwise I sure would not be able to fix them. Some of the common issues have been pointed out. Warped bases, worn pivot bores and broken resistance wires. All can be fixed with some ingenuity by someone with basic mechanical skills.
In my restorations I address the above problems but also address the cosmetics. I like things to be 100% authentic so have had several of the unique parts made or made them myself in conjunction with duplicating the data stamp etc. The reason I started doing this is because I was not able to find someone to fix my own sender.
I'd like to think that I am the source for those people who want their sender to function and look like new. If you are only after having the basic function restored there might be other cheaper options out there the cheapest one would be a a DIY job.
In my restorations I address the above problems but also address the cosmetics. I like things to be 100% authentic so have had several of the unique parts made or made them myself in conjunction with duplicating the data stamp etc. The reason I started doing this is because I was not able to find someone to fix my own sender.
I'd like to think that I am the source for those people who want their sender to function and look like new. If you are only after having the basic function restored there might be other cheaper options out there the cheapest one would be a a DIY job.
'56 Coupe
'57 Coupe
'59 Cab
'60 Coupe
'57 Coupe
'59 Cab
'60 Coupe
- Harlan Halsey
- 356 Fan
- Posts: 2375
- Joined: Fri Mar 02, 2012 2:05 pm
- Location: No Cal SF Peninsula
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations
Joris,
My '56 sender resistor is so worn that it reads a dead short end to end. Can you fix this? ( I think the resisitor will have to be rewound. And while you are at it it would be nice if you could use wire with twice the resistance so that it will function on 12v.
What do you think?
My '56 sender resistor is so worn that it reads a dead short end to end. Can you fix this? ( I think the resisitor will have to be rewound. And while you are at it it would be nice if you could use wire with twice the resistance so that it will function on 12v.
What do you think?
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- 356 Fan
- Posts: 1130
- Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2008 9:49 pm
- Location: Gilroy, CA
Re: Restoration of 356A original fuel sender recomendations nee
I am attempting to repair the fuel sender for my 59 A, the pivot pin has worn the pot metal housing, can it be fixed with either peening around the pin? or with JB weld, or does it have to come apart and an insert placed into the housing? The rest of it works fine, if held in place it gets 210 ohms to 6.8 ohms linear readings. Any ideas or help would be appreciated
Have one of cheap new replacement that doesn't work with the original gauge, but fills the hole so I can drive, and the reserve and trip mileage works so I can go back to the old beetle days.
Have one of cheap new replacement that doesn't work with the original gauge, but fills the hole so I can drive, and the reserve and trip mileage works so I can go back to the old beetle days.