1971 Chevrolet C10 — Fuel Sender Replacement (40-Gallon Tank)

Vehicle & Part Overview

The 1971 C10 equipped with the 40-gallon tank uses a sender unit that is different from the standard 20-gallon setup. The 40-gallon was an optional auxiliary-style tank on these trucks, and the sender float arm length and ohm range will differ accordingly.

Ohm range: GM fuel senders of this era typically run 0 ohms full to 90 ohms empty. Verify this against your gauge cluster before purchasing, as some aftermarket gauges expect a different range.

Sourcing Recommendations

  • Classic Industries — carspanner.com/go/classic-industries
Specialises heavily in C10 and full-size GM truck parts; should carry the correct application-specific sender for the 40-gallon tank.

  • Ground Up Truck Restoration — carspanner.com/go/ground-up-truck
Focuses exclusively on Chevy and GMC trucks of this era; often stocks harder-to-find 40-gallon tank components.

  • Brothers Truck Parts — carspanner.com/go/brothers-truck-parts
Strong C10 specialist with good coverage of 1967–1972 trucks; a solid fallback if the 40-gallon-specific unit is unavailable elsewhere.

Fitment & Safety Notes

  • Confirm which tank you have before ordering — the sender is not interchangeable between the 20-gallon and 40-gallon setups.
  • When removing the old sender, note the number of mounting bolts on the lock ring. The 40-gallon tank used a different flange pattern than the standard tank; match this up before committing to a purchase.
  • Inspect the float for pinholes by shaking it near your ear. A waterlogged float will produce a permanently low fuel reading.

1969 Camaro RS/SS — Dash Pad Replacement

Vehicle & Part Overview

The cracking issue with reproduction dash pads is a well-documented problem in the F-body community. Many cheaper repros use a vinyl formulation that does not hold up to heat cycles, particularly with any sun exposure. Original GM pads used a different foam and vinyl compound that remained more flexible long-term, which is why a sound original pad is often worth restoring rather than replacing.

The 1969 RS/SS dash pad has its own specific profile and grain pattern, distinct from the base Camaro dash.

Sourcing Recommendations

Option 1 — Original pad restoration (recommended)
If the structural foam of your original pad is still sound, consider having it professionally re-foamed and re-skinned by a dash pad restoration specialist. Seek out someone who works specifically on instrument panels rather than a general upholstery shop — correct grain pattern and texture matching on the RS/SS requires that level of specialisation. This costs more upfront but will outlast any reproduction on the market.

Option 2 — Reproduction pad
Quality varies significantly between suppliers. Higher-grade repros use better foam density and thicker vinyl. Avoid budget-tier options.

  • Classic Industries — carspanner.com/go/classic-industries
Offers tiered options; their higher-grade dash pads carry a better reputation than their budget versions.

  • Camaro Central — carspanner.com/go/camaro-central
Focuses exclusively on first- and second-generation Camaros and tends to be more selective about repro supplier quality.

Fitment & Safety Notes

Quality warning: Cheaper reproduction dash pads sourced from lower-grade overseas manufacturing frequently crack within a short period due to inferior vinyl formulation. If purchasing a repro, prioritise suppliers sourcing from US or higher-grade manufacturers.
  • Always confirm the pad is specifically listed for the RS/SS variant — the dash profile differs from the base 1969 Camaro.
  • If opting for restoration, use a specialist in instrument panel restoration, not a general upholstery shop, to ensure correct grain and texture replication.