mk1-forum.net

hi all,the fuel gauge on my 61 austin mini isnt working! ive tested the sender and wiring which is all good so im guessing its the gauge? is there any way i can fit an auxilliary gauge as finding an early replacement is difficult and expensive?

I'm pretty sure the early sends have the same resistance as the later ones, so you should be able to use a late gauge with a regulator / stabiliser (call it what you will).

Sending units (early screw on and later locking ring) are not the same in any way as to resistence range and the way they work.

early (850 etc) semiconductor 83-3 ohm
post sept bimetal 64 250-19 ohm

The early ones can be repaired & I reckon a good punt that Nick Rogers will have one NOS if you are in the UK

Not only is the ohm range different, as pointed out by mini129, but the two read reverse of each other; i.e., big number = full, little number = empty for one and big number = empty and little number = full for the other.