Crazy Gas Gauge

I just finished assembling a '66 Barracuda. I put in a new gas tank, fuel filter & sending unit. When I filled the tank, the handle clicked off and the gauge read Full. I drove it about 40 miles & it read Empty. I put in 3 gallons & it read Full again, only to drop to Empty in 40 or so miles. I knew I had gas in it, so I drove it 50+ miles with the gauge on "E" - which is a bit unsettling. I put in a second new sending unit & it is doing the same thing. The gauge itself tests fine. I was wondering what the gizmo that looks like a Silver Salute with a black wick (pictured below) does. I believe it has something to do with the gauge & maybe that's the problem - or.....anyone?
Thanks,
Mark

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Mark,
Please check out John Wolf and Co in Ohio...they rebuild all types of vintage gauges and Mopar OEM fuel sending units to factory specs. A number of FABO members have sent their units to him and were very happy with his work and now their fuel gauges are spot on. A lot of members try to rig up a Rube Goldberg system for their units and they never read correctly. Save yourself a bunch of aggravation and send it to him for rebuild. Let us know how it turns out.
Good Luck,
Greg