Petrol Tank sender unit

[TCanner]

Good Morning All,
I acquired a 1947 Rover 16 Sportsman back in April in need of light re-commisioning. One simple job was un-sticking the float arm, stuck on near-empty from having stood so long. Immediate success on half filling the tank and the gauge responding accordingly. Many local jaunts later ran out of fuel with the gauge still showing half full ( was starting to think I was getting very good mpg! ). Proved the reserve tank switch worked though! Un-stuck it again, but within a few weeks no movement on gauge. Just un-stuck for now the third time.
Is there some type of particular lubricant that prevents this? Seems there may be some type of reaction between the alloy body of the sender unit and the steel pivot-pin of the float arm.
I used GT85 first time, same plus grease 2nd and 3in1 oil this time. Moves up and down lovely and smooth once freed and lubricated.

[47p2]

I would expect there is not be any sort of lube at the pivot point. Maybe a build up of corrosion that needs to be carefully removed and cleaned out

[TCanner]

Thanks...........so far so good. Been showing a gradual drop for the last 10 days or so, so fingers crossed!

[47p2]

Well done

[TCanner]

Famous last words! Went down to just under half then stuck again, Released for 4th time yesterday and now immediately functioning again, showing 3/4 tank. I'm bamboozled by this. Once freed it operates perfectly smoothly, but once stuck, it's properly stuck and takes a real 'snap' to initially release. Can't have been like this it's entire life..........attached pictures, is it original? Looked at mini ones which look the same, may see if one fits.

[47p2]

I feel it might be time to replace

[RobHomewood]

This sender type is available from Holden and maybe others. It is quite easy to change the float if you wish to keep the metal one (new ones are plastic). You may find that only one side of the yoke is connected on the new unit but it doesn't seem to matter. There are two types listed- one for top and one for side entry but I found these identical, only differing in the orientation the float is fitted. In fact when fitting both oil and water units at the same time recently I fitted them the wrong way round to no ill effect!

[RobHomewood]

sorry typo - not 'water' unit but 'fuel' unit of course

[TCanner]

Thanks. 'Minimine' here in Stoke on Trent have classic mini ones which look the same on their website. I'll wait until it inevitably sticks again and take it there to check the spacings of the 6 bolts are the same. All being well they're only £20, so I'll let you know.

[Acromie86]

I know this thread stopped a while ago but just curious did you ever get and try the mini fuel sender?