1955 fuel gauge retrofit?

[tom collingwood]

what would be involved to install a 1955 VDO fuel gauge in my 1955 speedster?

my dash has already been cut with a circle hole from previous owner in the late 50's. So rather then fill it, now might be a good time to get an operational fuel gauge installed in that hole...

Anybody know what would be needed to complete the task?

[tom collingwood]

i just purchased a 1955 VDO gauge. I assume i can get everything to make it work with my 1955 tank?

[Spencer Harris]

Tom, I assume you're familiar with this thread?
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=42639

[tom collingwood]

Tom, I assume you're familiar with this thread?
viewtopic.php?f=21&t=42639

seen the thread. But still looking to see what i need to buy to get my VDO gauge operational in my 55 speedster...

[Donald Zingg]

Tom

Post a photo of your fuel tank.
Does the tank have a hole in the top for a float mechanism?
If yes, research and buy/install a float mechanism that's compatible with your VDO gauge.
If no, buy a different tank that accommodates a float mechanism. Stoddard NLA sells new fuel tanks.
OR - - - trade your fuel tank for a tank with a float mechanism. I can refer you a pre-A Speedster owner who might be interested in such a trade - - - - -

[Alan Hall]

I have always thought that the small '55 VDO gas gage uses the same tank float and calibration as the later VDO combination gages, but I must admit I have never verified that. I would assume a pre-A tank with no holes for floats (or for Beck sensing tubes) would be a pretty rare and valuable item. "A" tanks that have the mounting for the float mechanism are probably fairly easy to obtain.

[Spencer Harris]

'53 can - no fuel gauge. (I know, too glossy...)

DSC_0271 (Medium).JPG (145.63 KiB) Viewed 753 times

And, you can still get these from Brett!

CIMG8938 (Large).JPG (256.33 KiB) Viewed 753 times

[tom collingwood]

Tom

Post a photo of your fuel tank.
Does the tank have a hole in the top for a float mechanism?
If yes, research and buy/install a float mechanism that's compatible with your VDO gauge.
If no, buy a different tank that accommodates a float mechanism. Stoddard NLA sells new fuel tanks.
OR - - - trade your fuel tank for a tank with a float mechanism. I can refer you a pre-A Speedster owner who might be interested in such a trade - - - - -

this is my fuel tank

[Donald Zingg]

In order to hook up your VDO gas gauge you need a tank that accommodates a float mechanism as shown below.
Stoddard NLA sells a new gas tank (NLA-201-010-00) for around five hundred bucks that has a hole on top for a float mechanism.
Depending on when your car was built in 1955 you also might need a new fuel cock. The bottom outlet on a T1 - T5 fuel tank is larger than on most pre-A fuel tanks.

---

[Rick Albro]

Perhaps try to contact Joris Koning He repairs fuel sending units and would know the resistance of the sending units. You can calibrate the unit using fine nichrome wire or if you have either alumel or chromel wire used for thermal couples. The original winding was chromel wire. The float mechanism is a rheostat changing the resistance to ground and thereby creating a voltage division circuit changing the voltage that goes to the gauge. Emulating those small voltages will gives various deflection in your gauge. ... the wooden dip stick shown by Spencer are certainty an easier route and does not involve much effort. Simple less likely to break.... Installing the gauge and having it work properly are different levels of effort. I can probably take some measurements from a sending unit if you need them. Joris probably already has the values work out.

[Spencer Harris]

my dash has already been cut with a circle hole from previous owner in the late 50's.

Maybe the cutout was for an outside temperature gauge.

[tom collingwood]

my dash has already been cut with a circle hole from previous owner in the late 50's.

Maybe the cutout was for an outside temperature gauge.

the original owner had to addtional holes for gauges and a wide oval for a radio.

[James Davies]

Spencer, your tank is not too glossy. Looks perfect. Gloss black is how they were painted. Probably same chassis paint as used everywhere else on the car.

[Joris Koning]

The key thing with the tanks is to apply the paint very thin so the slight texture of the tin coat shows through.

[James Davies]

Indeed. No primer was used on these or the engine tin.