fuel guage sending unit / float

[Smitty31]

1986 custom deluxe 4.3 L 4 BBL 2wd w/o air 400 transmisson A.T. My question is about the fuel sending unit / float in the tank. when i fill my truck up its stays on full for awhile but when it reaches half of a tank it seems to go to empty real quick. Is there a better design on the float now or is this just how it is?

[Stewart G Griffin]

i noticed that i get about 200 miles before the needle reaches 1/2.  After that it goes much quicker to E----about 100 to 120 miles if i'm lucky.

So, it appears normal.

[Smitty31]

ok thanks i was hoping the new replacement floats where improved.

[AZ4X4SQBDY]

I remember most of my trucks over the years being like that also.

If it bothered you enough, I guess you could bend the arm on the float to make it more accurate.

[juggernaut6625]

Is this perhaps a kind of like the fuel warning light? It reads empty so you go fill up but you still have about 50 miles.

[Smitty31]

My 1979 sierra is like this also but when it saids empty you better find gas fast. The 86 when I've stopped and got gas when it hits E seems to have about 2 gallons in it.

[mrboyy17]

i just put a brand new sending unit in my tank and it does this too.  So no, the new ones aren't any better.  It's just the way it is.  stays past full for awhile and once your down on empty like others say, you need to get some gas