My fuel gauge has always read between 1/4 and 1/2 tank if i move the needle to full turn the key on it just floats back down and stays. If i unplug the the sending unit nothing happens. The fuel sending unit is set to 2-87 so i think the problem is the gauge itself. Is there any way to test the fuel gauge.

Attach a 90 ohm resistor to ground on the wire and see if the gauge reads full. Next ground the wire and see if the gauge reads zero.

Where might i find a 90 ohm resistor?

Buy two of these packs - http://www.radioshack.com/p...lterValue=RadioShack

And put 9 of them together inline to get exactly 90 ohms

You could also get one of these http://www.radioshack.com/p...sp?productId=2062315 - 100 ohms and expect the gauge to read just a little past full when using one of them for testing.

[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 09-13-2014).]

Radio Shack. But a 100 ohm will be easier to find and close enough to check, Not accurate, but enough to check. If you use a 0-100 ohm variable/pot, you can sweep the gauge through it's whole movement.
I have seen problems with the float not grounding. The unit will test ok, but the wire/rod that the float is on will lose its ground at the pivot point. If you tighten them too much, they won't move right, and too loose they lose ground. Normally when the sending unit housing holes for the rod get worn. You can attach a flexable/braided wire from the metal unit body, to the float rod in a pinch.