is there any good quality new sendors and pickups available for a roadrunner? ive gotten a couple really cheap junky ones in the past.

Kramer Automotive.

How are the sending units from Van's Automotive? They have what I need, but haven't heard much feedback on them.

I've bought two in the last year. First one is a chinese made stainless steel unit that had a too long pickup and sender that ohmed out of the acceptable 73-10 range. I replaced it with a Mexico made Spectra Premium unit that had a shorter pickup tube and is spot on at 73-10.
Problem is OEM units measured on a curve. 73 ohms empty, 24 ohms half, and 10 ohms full.
The Spectra Premium measures linear. 73 ohms empty, 45 ohms half, and 10 ohms full. Luckily I have a digital gauge and can set it up to read properly.
To have a sender that works with stock gauge you'll need NOS.

I would try to locate a NOS unit. It will cost you more but it will work like the original unit.

Maybe talk to these folks.

http://www.dixierestorationparts.com/products.cfm?ci=3FF69BF0-F80D-6B34-1166AF7D0EA0BF5C

try jsbrown at 521 restoration parts.good gas tanks as well from spectra.