Wiring can be very frustrating. Howard's info is perfect. Although I have a 1949 23rd series, my headlight switch is identical to the picture Howard gave you. What I find curious is the instrument lights switch gets its power from the from the Headlight switch. The instrument light switch can only turn on if the headlight or Parking light switch is on. So, if you believe the headlights are on, just not receiving power, you should still have dash lights. Very perplexing; After checking the wiring for the Headlight switch. I am wondering if the dimmer switch is wired right. Just a thought.

Dave O

John, yes I figured that out pretty quickly!

Bumper is installed. Happy to report that I still can open the beer fridge!

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As I recall sender position doesn't really matter much but if there is clearance and no locating notch on the tank then if mounted so the float goes toward the side of the tank that tends to minimize the gauge changing if the float wants to move up and down as gas sloshes when doing ordinary stop and go driving. The 51-6 gauges are bimetal heater type so do not move very fast. Unlike the earlier magnetic gauges, later gauge changing is probably a non issue.

Unless you have an opening cut in the trunk floor to easily remove the sender it is a bit late and hard to check for proper sender operation. If you do drop the tank and remove the sender, using an ohmmeter connected between the terminal and the sender mounting flange you should read approximately 70-75 ohms at the empty end and 10 ohms at the full end.

The instrument voltage regulator works the temp, oil, and fuel gauges. If none of the other gauges are having problems it should be OK. To test the fuel gauge will require the use of a known good sender. From 1951 on all the gauges use senders with the same electrical specs and work the same way so that testing procedure is detailed on page 55 in the 1951 service counselor Vol 24 #12 Just grounding the sender wire will do a rudimentary test in that as soon as the wire from the sender touches ground the gauge will start to rise to the full end. Do not leave the wire grounded any longer than it takes to verify the gauge needle reaches full.

One other consideration is that a pinhole in the fuel pickup line inside the tank can mimic an empty tank. If the tank was actually empty and took about 20 gallons to fill then the sender or gauge is an issue but if it only took around 10 gallons there is a possibility of a pinhole and the pump started sucking air.

The two places pinholes have been known to occur are noted in this photo Ross provided showing the tank inside.

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The float goes rearwards.

I would say the unit broke the ground strap. Inside gauge.


Sending units. Ford. 10-70 ohms.

My blog shows it

Recently installed a fuel sending unit from a well known Packard parts guy.
Went to a show and on the way home gas gauge read half a tank but it really was empty. Is there a specific way to install the sending unit in the tank? Is it possibly the gauge or sending unit. Need help with this guys.

Tucson Packards might have it too as they recently bought several prewar parts cars up to 1941. I saw them when I was last there and believe there was at least one 1937 but I don’t recall the model(s). Of course, they may have one already in their extensive stock of parts and Gerry might too.

BigKev - Yeah, I’ve seen those, but I really like the idea of not having to weld something to the car. The other options I can do myself pretty easily.

JWL - thanks, I hadn’t seen those before and just looked them up…another good option.

Kev, the front bumper brackets fit on each side of the frame rails. Many try and install them both on one side or the other. This does not work. I had experience with this on my 1089. Shop removed the bumper to remove the left front fender to repaint it after I splashed brake fluid on it. They installed the brackets on the outside of the frame rail and I had to do the job over, sliding the brackets over each side.

Thanks for the helpful advice. I will run to the upholster tomorrow and see if he has the capabilities.

The exterior fabric is correct for 1955. The inside is tan cloth of some sort. I didn't want black.

Check with Gerry.