Loose Screen in Oil Tank

[Jim Sims]

A month or so ago after a hard and hot (~200 degrees F) run I noticed my oil level gage (stock '76 911S) would no longer indicate a lower level. Level would vary but would never drop below half way even at higher rpm's or cold temps. I thought perhaps the sender float arm had become jammed. I changed the oil and filter today and pulled out the sender when the tank was drained. It looked fine and I proceeded to hook up the wires and move the float up and down by hand. Worked fine and dash gage showed correct levels. When I tried to reinstall it was difficult to get back into the correct position. Peering into the sender opening and looking down the filler neck I noticed a large brass colored screen. Probing with a long 1/4" drive extension indicated the screen is loose and was likely jamming float arm. Reinstalled sender after pushing screen up a bit; refilled with oil (11 qts.) and warmed engine. Float now indicates empty or low regardless of temperature or engine speed. I know some think the tank oil level gage is useless but I rather liked to monitor it once I understood how the oil system worked. Has anyone had a similar experience? I was wondering if the screen could be rolled up with a forceps and extracted through the level sender opening? I suppose the alternative is get another tank or cut an opening, extract the screen and weld a patch over the opening. In a couple of months I'll be dropping the engine to replace the flywheel end crankshaft oil seal and I'll be adding the lines for a front auxilliary oil cooler. Loose tank screen could be addressed then. Anyone have input? Thanks, Jim