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Tue Nov 18, 2008 1:38 pm

Hey guys, I got a dilema... I have a 61, about 95% original. I ordered an original (it was a dealer option) fuel gauge. I know 61 tanks never came with the cutout for the sending unit. My dilema is: Should I cut out and modify the original tank, of should I just get a 62 tank and throw it in?

If I decide to modify, what will I need besides the 62 sending unit? Hardware, seals, etc? Before you guys go on saying do a search, I have and nothing goes into true detail, other than just saying they have modified a 61 tank to work with a 62 sender.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:11 pm

There are threads for the sending unit in the top of the tank. Any idea what you are gonna do there? Weld nuts to the backside? I would just swap tanks.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 2:17 pm

swap the tanks and sell the 61 to someone that wants it (me)

Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:35 pm

Swap tanks. Really you do not need a fuel gauge when you have a reserve switch. Oil temp and pressure is much more important and helpfull in keeping the engine running.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 3:37 pm

x4 on getting the later tank.

Back "in the day" VW had kits to convert the early tanks to being able to mount a fuel gauge. You can see the procedures for what they did here in these technical bulletins. The on the very bottom is for model-year 1961 tanks.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/techbulletins/k8.php

By the way, be aware of some of the crappy sending units they sell these days. The last new one I got that was any good was a VDO-Mexico unit I bought 15 years ago that is long since "no longer available". I've tried, off and on, for the last few years to find a good sending unit/gauge combo that worked good in my 62 Bug for me, that is, something that would register anything for the last gallon in the tank, and not had any luck. The only thing I haven't done is tried a 68/later Bug setup, which is what I have in my other bug. (I did try a Ghia setup for a while though). I went and posted all my frustration with that, mostly for reference, on this thread:

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=231562

Tue Nov 18, 2008 4:20 pm

this is the gauge I ordered, all in hopes of keeping the car as original or using original parts.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...;viewitem=

I want to keep true to the originality (im a purist) of the car. The fuel gauge is just a luxury i'd like while still leaving the car original. That article didnt mention what tank, I assume a 62, since they are the same size and shape. Where is a good place to get the tank/sender? WW is out of the senders, which i hear were superb.

The previous owners even had the wheels painted to match the body, which i will be reverting back to the original paint scheme. I'm not one for mods (pertaining to VW's, my DD is a highly modified rock crawler jeep) so I am hesitant to proceed with cutting or replacing parts... Thankfully the car was meticulously cared for, even every fuel fill up was documented and it was garaged.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:30 pm

Eric&Barb wrote: Swap tanks. Really you do not need a fuel gauge when you have a reserve switch. Oil temp and pressure is much more important and helpfull in keeping the engine running.

X2. If your truly a purist, and want to keep the VW as original as possibile, then scrap the fuel gauge. Use a stick with the appropriate markings, or use your odometer as a reference when you need to fill up again. :wink:

Tue Nov 18, 2008 6:34 pm

I scoured the web and this forum for any clue in the original wooden fuel dipstick, my only find was a guy selling for some absurd amount of money for one. Trying to find a solution without breaking the bank.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 7:20 pm

Michael Fischer wrote: There are threads for the sending unit in the top of the tank. Any idea what you are gonna do there? Weld nuts to the backside? I would just swap tanks.

hehe, just saw that. I'm an engineer, so its in my nature to find simple solutions. I'm sure there is an easy solution, like a plate with threaded holes on it, and so on...

Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:45 pm

Keep it stock as possible. Your resale value will be greater too.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 8:50 pm

If you need a gauge get a 62-67 tank, 68-77 sending unit and a '68 speedometer. The '68 speedo is a one year only and looks just like a 61-67 speedo but with a gas gauge. All of this is bolt in with no hacking. Save all the original stuff.
The gas gauge you are looking at isn't correct for a '61 anyway, the '61's accessory fuel gauge looked similar but was electric.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:06 pm

DrDarby wrote:
The gas gauge you are looking at isn't correct for a '61 anyway, the '61's accessory fuel gauge looked similar but was electric.

Ditto!! The earlier dash trim has differant cross section and is pot metal with chrome. The later fuel gauge has an aluminum pressed and does not have as sharp a profile look as the earlier.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 9:19 pm

Sky Hye wrote: I scoured the web and this forum for any clue in the original wooden fuel dipstick, my only find was a guy selling for some absurd amount of money for one. Trying to find a solution without breaking the bank.

Make your own! I used a stick similar to a painters stir stick, but longer for my 60. I made notches for the appropriate gallons. I will do the same for my 58, but would like to add a custom touch, perhaps a VW emblem at the top, and have it fold in the middle for ease of storage!

Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:00 pm

The chrome is quite different as indicated- and the likelihood of a perfect respray of the grill in Turqis(?) is remote at best. Please consider the convenience of the guage vs. the look of the dashboard once converted. The original dash is the one thing you admire most at red lights, no?

I used to find it exciting to have to reach waayyy under the dash to flip the reserve handle on my '61- when always in the left lane of my town's freeway! You'll lose that treat. Whatever you do- do not ditch the one-year-only 61 tank! I truly feel the cost of picking up a '68 speedo and all the garb far exceeds the payout... brad (turkis '63, gulf blue '62)

Eric&Barb wrote: DrDarby wrote:
The gas gauge you are looking at isn't correct for a '61 anyway, the '61's accessory fuel gauge looked similar but was electric.

Ditto!! The earlier dash trim has differant cross section and is pot metal with chrome. The later fuel gauge has an aluminum pressed and does not have as sharp a profile look as the earlier.

Tue Nov 18, 2008 10:40 pm

Shyte. I already ordered the gauge. Anybody have any interest in it?

Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:51 pm

hitest wrote: I used to find it exciting to have to reach waayyy under the dash to flip the reserve handle on my '61- when always in the left lane of my town's freeway! You'll lose that treat. Whatever you do- do not ditch the one-year-only 61 tank! I truly feel the cost of picking up a '68 speedo and all the garb far exceeds the payout... brad (turkis '63, gulf blue '62)

Well if one has good control of thier feet, one can easily learn to flip the reserve switch with the right foot! :wink:
If not, there was an accessory reserve switch extension rod for those who really needed hand control.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 12:53 pm

Thanks all. I've decided to keep the tank. I'f I do anything at all to it, I'll remove it and clean it thoroughly and repaint it. Its bittersweet to learn there are so many one year onlies on the 61.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 1:08 pm

Glad to help! Have bought stuff and found later it would not work.

Do keep a log book of fillup and repairs will help in keeping track of when you need to fill up next and if you are suddenly getting a drop in MPG.
A trip speedo or on the dash milage meter are good for those who can not keep in mind when last fueled up.

Your Bug if kept stock should get about 300 miles per tank, so if you just refill every 200 miles you should be fine.

KEEP IN MIND that the reserve switch every couple of months should be flipped for at least a few minutes while driving. If this is not done the tiny bit of fuel trapped in that reserve passage of the switch can jelly up. Then when you really need that last gallon of fuel it will not go to the engine......

Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:41 pm

Eric&Barb wrote: KEEP IN MIND that the reserve switch every couple of months should be flipped for at least a few minutes while driving. If this is not done the tiny bit of fuel trapped in that reserve passage of the switch can jelly up. Then when you really need that last gallon of fuel it will not go to the engine......

Ahhhh, Great point. Makes sense considering all the crap thats added into our gasoline.

Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:42 pm

Modify.....always modify! :wink: