Need help with fuel gauge not working?

I just bought a new tank, float, filler grommet, and ground strap from Vans Auto. I see them at the Nats every year and they consistently have the lowest prices.

Anyway, the brass float looks just like my original 1964. The ground strap is powder coated black. That's nice but a ground strap with paint on it? How's that going to work? Need to clean the contact areas before installing. My sending unit seems to have good resistance so it's going back in. You can check it while it's still on the car.

Oh yeah, I think you can remove the sending unit w/o removing the tank. May depend on whether the exhaust is in the way.