Good on ya, Jack. No new news on the fender stretch since the last update. I’m pretty confident I’ve got this in hand though (finger’s crossed). Hope to get a little more done this week, between Christmas shopping/wrapping/delivering goodies & etc. Will update again if I do.

sabreur76
Found a old VW sender part #113919049D that when tested shows a range between 7 (full) and 30 (empty) ohms. There are additional markings on the sender showing 8 80 which may have been the original ohm specs. I replaced the unit because the VDO fuel gauge was still showing half a tank when in fact it was empty. Therefore, using a VDO…[Read more]

Ditto that — I’m in Sevierville, but my project TDr is VW-based and progress is stalled due to other time demands lately. There’s at least a couple front engine TDrs in the Sevier county area, one Ford-based and one Chevette-based.

Hey Ed,

I thought that if anyone would be impressed by the desk fan it would be you!!   How’s the fiberglass project going?

By the way, the engine started right up and ran with only a few oil leaks (gasket issues easily fixed by tightening up bolts and such.)  Next step will be installing it in the car — after Christmas!!

Happy Jack

Wow, Jack! That’s a really nice desk fan.

sabreur76
Can not answer definitively as I don’t know specs for VW fuel senders. What I would recommend is isolating the three components of the system. One, check continuity of wiring with Muir test light and battery or VOM which is my preference. If wiring to gauge and sender is good, verify you have a good ground/negative wire to sender.…[Read more]

Hey Toller,

Are the VDO sender units different from the VW ones? I have a new VW sender unit that I put in with the new tank but the gauge is not working. So I guess the real questions is, if I replace the VW sender with a 10-180 ohm unit, might that solve my gauge problem?

He folks,

…Not exactly a Tdr project but it is keeping my amateur auto mechanic skills growing and my brain exercised (none of these 50+ year old engines go together without a healthy dash of Yankee (er, make that SOUTHERN) ingenuity.  For instance,  the temporary desk fan radiator cooling jig…

Once this 1959 Austin Healey Bugeye Sprite p…[Read more]

Dave
VDO fuel senders use a variable resistor rated from 10 to 180 ohms. If you pick up a potentiometer from Radio Shack with same ohm specs you can use it to test the gauge by connecting the two wires that are currently connected to the fuel gauge sender then adjust the potentiometer to simulate the a full or empty fuel tank. You will have to…[Read more]

Dave. Any idea what the ohms range on your existing sender is or is supposed to be? Anything mentioned in any of your Duchess paperwork? Just tossing thoughts out. Keep hunting it down. I know you’ll get it.

Thanks Paul and Ed for your feed back. I have the original fuel guage installed in my reconditioned dash, but the original fuel sender in the original optional Dutchess tank that I have has no part number markings on it. There maybe a part number stamped on the dash guage, but I have been avoiding trying to taking it out due to some vertigo…[Read more]

I will add my welcome to all the previous. This is a great place to find the answered to your questions, or just visit to see what’s going ob out there.

It looks like you’ve got quite a project, but sounds like you have a plan. Keep us posted.

Again, WELCOME!

Many thanks for the welcome messages!  I’m very anxious to get this thing on the road; the Tail of the Dragon is indeed nearby and beckons!

As luck would have it, there is another Victor within an hour’s drive from here.  The guy bought it from Bruce Clifford in Colorado, mentioned above.  Bruce had a couple of them; sold one of his a while ba…[Read more]

Welcome aboard, Mickey!  That’s a great find.  I’ve been wanting to add one of those to my collection but they are as rare as hen’s teeth.  There’s a guy around my area (it maybe the same guy that Ed’s talking about since Ed and I are close) that has one.  He’s a little sketchy about the provenance when you talk to him about it but it’s a Vic…[Read more]

Just looked to see where Townsend is. Man, you have some wonderful roads in that area. You’re positioned just north of the Dragon. Almost jealous. Finish the car!!!

Good on ya, Mickey! I’m sure you already know how rare and sought-after the Victor TF kit is. There’s a guy round my neck of the woods with one. From the MG Experience board I know there’s a guy in Colorado with one he just finished a few years back. With the exception of the afore-mentioned octagonal gauges (unobtanium) and the way the bonnet…[Read more]