Fuel sender wiring connection

[just me]

Try an original gauge. I have some less than wonderful looking original ones if you need one.

[just me]

It sounds like your guage was damaged by the lead being off and pining it for so long.

[isaac_alaska]

I'm not disagreeing with you or ruling that out, but I'm not sure why having the wire disconnected would hurt the gauge. If I understand it right there are two coils in the gauge, one pulls the needle towards full and is energized by having power connected at the gauge. The other coil is also powered by voltage at the gauge but the return leg of the coil is through the fuel sender. More fuel in the tank, more ohms, less current through that winding, less magnetic force pulling the needle away from "full" towards "empty"
IF (big if... Haha) that is the case, there shouldn't be any additional stress on the gauge from being powered up with the sending wire disconnected.

I'm trying to get my buddy to pull a gauge out of my spare parts pile and send it to me but if he can't or if it doesn't fix the problem I'll take you up on one of yours. I appreciate the offer!