changing rheostat type on fuel sender?

[Bob Culver]

If by fauslt or mistake chanced to be connetced direct to battery more available.

[AustinWood]

Modern cars typically have the fuel pump within the fuel tank with no problems.
Petrol is reluctant to burn unless the air/fuel ratio is about 15:1 by weight. Inside the tank the vapour is saturated which is safe.

[Renaud]

You are both right of course.
But the mini configuration still frightens me...