OK had a"fun" day on this one.
5:45 AM hop in the brick and turn it over. HMMMMmmmmm..no gas gauge reading.8=(
Tap on it, thump it with my knuckle...do the Chuck Yeager deal and try a stick of Beeman's. No Joy. at least i filled it up last night so its not "really" a problem.

10:30 take a break and check the back side of the speedo..all the wires are in place. Before I pull the cluster lets take a look see at the sender connection.

Pop the trunk, pull back the carpet and unscrew the plate, HMMMmmm original mastic sealant still in place. OK slide the buck Knife under the edge of the plate and gently lift and take a peek inside.

Lots a RUST and when I begin checking the connections the single black sleeved wire parts at the male spade lug! I mean the entire lug was rusted thru.

I was left with 1/2 of a plastic cover piece in my hand and thats it.

If I remove the sender/tank pump assembly can O resolder the sender output wire to the sender spade lug or should I spring for a new sender assembly? FCP Groton has 'em for $80 compared to the local Swedish thieves at $245 and wait a week " 'cause we don't stock parts for antiques" (it's a 92 BTW...and I feel that I should use that info to get a permanent $20 antique plate from NY State instead of paying the annual tythe to Pitaki,Bloomberg, Shyster and Shmuck LLP).

Anyway Doc:
Solder or replace?

Also how to clean the area around the top of the tank/bung hole before/during/after opening to ease the removal ScotchBrite and WD-40/PB Blaster? or a brass brush and WD-40? I'm gonna replace the ring with a new one + gasket and repaint after with POR 15.