Loadstar Gas Tank Sending Unit

My Loadstar has a 30-gallon saddle tank on the passenger side. The tank sending unit has gone south and I'd like to replace it. Does anyone know of a source? I've found universal tank units, but they all seem to have five screw holes instead of six. Also, is this likely to be an IH tank or aftermarket?

Any help appreciated,

Steve in Indiana

Well I looked in the book and it's not as simple as it seems...

There are 2 30gal. and a 31gal. "sheet metal" type tanks and 2 35 gal. Safety tanks,which are heavier steel and the ends are welded on so those are pretty easy to ID. They each use a different sender though Could be due to shape(?),can't always go by book illustrations.For one you even need the front axle code (doesn't make sense to me why though) .
SO,without codes off an LST it can be hit or miss. Do you have an LST?

I presume the senders flange is painted? The pn might be stamped on it so try removing any paint etc. without scoring and see.

If there is a pn, try it with Google like this:

145641R91 Gauge
(^^^one of the actual pn's listed)

Another way to find the sender is using the tank pn. Safety tanks have a plate attached,don't remember if the other type does. If not it can be done with measuring the tank to find the tank pn then...


If a the sender is NLA I have 1 or 2 catalogs that might have a viable one to use(?).

Scott:

Thanks very much. I measured the tank and found that it's a 31-gallon tank, PN 68 145 HCX on the chart you posted. I'll try to get a sending unit based on the tank PN, and if that fails I'll post here again to see whether you can help find one.

Steve

That's the tank(s) that the front axle code is needed for,so be sure it's the one that matches the measurements.
Now for the bad news...the sender for that tank (68145HCX) is apparently NLA and doesn't even open a search.
You might want to see if there's a pn on the gauge flange too like I mentioned.

I checked what I have with universal senders but, not one has 6 mounting screw holes.

I also forgot to ask,
A) Do the oil & temp gauges work OK?
B) Did you check the senders resistance?
The IH sending units are rated at 10 ohms when full to 73 when empty. +/- 10% is acceptable.
C) Is the tank well grounded?

I have some links for outfits that can rebuild senders but it's not cheap. Then again some of the NOS senders aren't either nor are the ones still available from International dealers.

This is a bolt on fuel gauge correct? Then there is another option, though not the best one. If you can find a sender that will work, but only has 5 bolt holes, If one lines up then a person could drill to match up the others on the ring. I know this is NOT ideal but is a possible solution.

Drilling new holes might not be as simple as it sounds,it would depend on the diameter of the hole. Generally 6 hole flanges are larger,hence the hole is as well.
The main issue is finding a sender within the OHM range. When did a search to find the range I found a number of threads at BP stating it's 10>73 but,at IHpartsAmerica Mike Mayben states 10>78 in a thread for a '75 Loadstar which should have the same dash gauges as Steve's.
http://www.ihpartsamerica.com/forums/el ... oblem.html

Not sure who's right but, it's just a few Ohms and no float arm sender is ever exact...

I found only one 10>73.
http://www.vdo-gauges.com/fluid-level-s ... 0-ohm.html

I found only one 10>78.
http://www.issprogauges.com/78-10-ohm-F ... -r8927.htm

Isspro also lists an adapter plate but there's virtually no info on it's use and no pic.
http://www.issprogauges.com/ProductDeta ... =ISS-R8924

I have a hunch it might be similar to this?
http://www.dolphingauges.com/store/view ... ductid=243

I did a search for the Isspro adapter and found the same...nadda.
So to find out, the only way I see is to contact Isspro.

Thanks Scottso, I thought after I posted that there should be an adapter, and I knew that the gauges where different in diameter, but was remembering way back when lots of the tanks had large holes, ones you could actually put your hand in to clean the junk out. the Adapter you showed should do the trick if you can get the appropriate range gauge.

I appreciate all the information and the legwork required to provide it. I'll check these out and see what I can find that will work.

Scottso, all other gauges work correctly. The tank is properly grounded. I had a local trusted mechanic check the resistance and he said the tank unit is bad. I called the nearest Navistar dealer and the parts man said he'd have to check the old books and call me back. That was two days ago and I haven't heard anything yet. He said it would take "a while," and maybe I'm being impatient.

All else failing, I can just keep the tank full.

Thanks, guys.

Steve

Here's some numbers...

MT-127 Index reads under tank (gasoline)...
31 Gallon (Codes 15130,15230,15330,15430) Fig.15-9

From 15-9;
Starting with the tank itself,
31 Gallon / codes...
259265C91 Except axle codes 02070,02091
68145HCX FOR axle codes 02070,02091

Sender;
Gauge,tank unit,assy.
969990R91 Except axle codes 02070,02091
145638R91 FOR axle codes 02070,02091

Tank measurements are very different according to the chart. I have to surmise the the float arms are different lengths(?).

I got hits on Google with 969990R91

Here's the links I mentioned;
http://tristarrradiator.com/index.html

http://www.bobsspeedometer.com/1/120/services.asp

It might be worthwhile contacting Isspro and getting more info on the adapter and if it is for going from 6 to 5 holes it might be the way to go(?).
Hard to believe the scant info they have on that site!

The price of both together is very reasonable compared to some of the NOS senders I've seen.