Gas gauge reads low

You said 74 ohms got 3/4 tank? Waaay off. 74 is supposed to be close to the empty hash mark. 8.5 is a bit low and would degrade the gauge over time. Even more so when the limiter was also producing heat in that can. I can agree to possible saturated float.
I have to ask what method was used to elimate the original limiter from the circuit?