Fuel Gauge is jumpy, Could it be something other than fuel tank sending unit? Options

[ptravnic]

Anyone had the "jumpy" fuel gauge problem before?

I have a 72 that I've had for ~20yrs. The tank was treated sometime in the mid-90's and I haven't had a problem w/fuel delivery or gauge reading...until now. The car sat w/only a few gallons of gas for the past 5yrs. It got its first full tank on the drive back from Brad Mayeur's last month (he did some work over the winter)

While fuel delivery is not a problem but my dash gauge jumps around a bit and sometimes doesn't get a reading at all.

I'd like to get this sorted before I get it in for paint - just in case the "fix" involves taking the tank out. I know tank removal can be done without scratching the paint but I'd rather not run the risk.

Before I pony up to a new sending unit, could it just be dried out or an intermittent ground somewhere on/around the sending unit?

-pt

[Mike Bellis]

The expansion tank sits on top of the fuel tank. It is full of vapor only. There is a screw next to the center strap and one behind the tank on the passenger side. Remove it and you will see the sender. You do not have to remove the piece you did. As long as it is off, leave it off and remove the expansion tank. The fuel sender is closer to the center of the tank, right on top.