Gas gauge

[jgauthier]

After testing and determining the gas gauge on my 1948 Plymouth was receiving 6 volts with ignition on and the two wire sending unit unit registering 24 ohm of resistance with an estimated 2/3rds full tank, I decided the culprit was the gauge itself. I fellow Plymouth enthusiast gifted me a gauge he removed from his ‘54. Upon inspection and testing I determined the donor gauge functions properly and I can switch the face plates and needle for proper fit and appearance. The problem and question I have for the forum is, “the donor gauge is single wire/pole and the original gauge and sending unit two wire”; is there a wiring configuration that will allow me to use the donor gauge?

[Plymouthy Adams]

your 48 will not interchange with the 54 unless you also use the appropriate sender for the 54.....you are dealing with two operationally different systems here....

 

with that said, your car may have been altered in the past and in that case all bets are off as to what is or is not fitted.  You 48 could well be as that of a 49 first generation as many of these are reported with the later style sender/gauge combo

Edited June 20, 2022 by Plymouthy Adams

[jgauthier]

1 hour ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

your 48 will not interchange with the 54 unless you also use the appropriate sender for the 54.....you are dealing with two operationally different systems here....

 

with that said, your car may have been altered in the past and in that case all bets are off as to what is or is not fitted.  You 48 could well be as that of a 49 first generation as many of these are reported with the later style sender/gauge combo

 

[jgauthier]

Thanks for your response. If I get a single wire sending unit I still have an under dash dilemma.  Can just connect power plus one of the two under dash sending unit wires and expect the gauge to work?

[Plymouthy Adams]

no, again the systems are very different and operate on different principles....

 

let me add.....

 

if you are not going to repair the in dash existing gauge and hang a gauge below the dash...you will also need to have the matching sender for even this aftermarket device as the customary ohm range is way way above that of the 54 Plymouth even....most of these default to the SW range of ohms...

Edited June 20, 2022 by Plymouthy Adams