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55-56 Mopar Fuel Level Senders - emphasis on the 12V senders Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]	View previous thread :: View next thread
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56D500boy

Posted 2023-08-01 2:45 AM (#631070)
Subject: 55-56 Mopar Fuel Level Senders - emphasis on the 12V senders

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I have recently been curious about the difference between the two 56 Mopar fuel tank level senders. This involved the 1627 297 sender for the "17 gal" fuel tank and 1627 298 for the "20 gal" fuel tank.

Part of the curiosity is based on the thought that 56 Dodge D500s should have come with a "20 gal" tank. My 56 D500 is a D500 "Special" in that it was made after March 9, 1956 when they decided the D500 option did not need to have the heavy duty suspension (but probably still the 12" x 2.5" Chrysler brakes). Where this leaves the fuel tank and fuel sender is still unknown at this point.

In poking around looking for information, I found that the 17 gal fuel tank level sender, PN 1627 297, was still available as a NOS part from some suppliers, e.g. Hiltop Mopar, as well as a repro from some other suppliers including Vans.

It was in the Vans website, that I finally found a key piece of information:

"Gas Tank Sending Unit with 17 Gallon Tank 1955-1956 Dodge Plymouth – CHCSND055 - this is for the 17 gallon tank that measures 6 inches deep replaces Chrysler PN# 1594471 (the 1955 6V sender) and 1627297 - does not fit wagons (which have a more vertical fuel tank)"

REFERENCE: https://vansauto.com/product/55-56-dodge-plymouth-gas-tank-sending-u...

And then still in the Vans website, but this time with regard to the 1627 298 "20 gal" sender:

"Tank Sending Unit for 20 gal tanks,1955 -1956 Chrysler, Dodge, Desoto, Plymouth – CHCSND056 - new reproduction sending unit for all 1956 Mopars with the 8" deep 20 Gallon tank."

REFERENCE: https://vansauto.com/product/56-chrysler-dodge-desoto-plymouth-gas-f...

As can be seen in the images below, the float arm for the 20 gal tank sender is much longer than that for the 17 gal tank sender. Presumably the variable resistance (rheostat) portion of the sender is modified as needs be, since the actual fuel gauge for the non-wagons is the same regardless of tank size. (Wagons used a different sender and gauge)

Now to measure the depth of my D500's fuel tank. 6" or 8"??

Edited by 56D500boy 2023-08-01 11:09 AM