Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

This fall, lost my balance filling the gas tank, ended up poking the Tab Style Spark Arrester down into my gas tank.


Searched the Barn for tips on how to get it out, only found one mention of using a stick with a strong magnet attached to retrieve it.
At same time will be rebuilding the Gas Gauge, not working, perhaps damaged due to the loose spark arrester.


Other Methods?

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

you might be able to get a small but long forcepts thru the opening or even a hooked wire clothes hanger if you can see it. Use a small, powerful penlight to look through the gas opening.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Patience and more patience, I would use a magnetic pick up thru the gas gauge hole getting the small end to you, then catch that end with a hook, pulling the small end out first. May take most of the day, but..........

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Please just remember, no matter what you attempt to do, your working on a “GAS” tank.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

I'd do the magnet thing also to get it where I could grab it. I'd also have the gauge out so you can get fingers or tools in there to help. It probably needs to come out backwards in order to start out the filler hole. You may even have to collapse the upper end to get it out (they're inexpensive ;))

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Not to de-rail this thread, but after hearing of the complications resulting from dislodging the flame arrester, just how important is this little screen? Perhaps I have been living on borrowed time for the last 50 years not having one in my 31' Coupe.


Joe B

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

I was able to fish mine out using a telescoping type magnet and then grabbing it with vise-grips and pulling it out backwards

Mine had broken off so once I removed the screw type top portion it pulled out with little effort.

It would occasionally get tangled with the gauge float while it was loose in the tank.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Might work better if you can get one of those flex type magnets.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

As mentioned in #7, be sure to remove the top part of the screen first so you have a larger opening. My 28 had the flame arrestor laying in the bottom of the tank. The top part was extremely hard to remove, but after spraying Kroil and making a heavy duty blade to fit the slots, I was finally able to unscrew it. I then used a magnet to lift out the bottom part.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Am confused - my arrestor is the tab type, I thought the screw in type had slots. Perhaps I should look them up in the parts catalogues to get a better idea of what I am up against - will do.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

OK, I wasn't sure which style you had, so the tab type will be easier, as you just lift out the top part, if the screen separated from it. If the complete flame arrestor got pushed into the tank, then I'd put the magnet to the bottom of the screen and lift it out backwards.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

I fought removal of the threaded screen in a 28 gas tank, made a tool nothing I tried would get it to turn, finally as last try bought the removal tool, put it on my 3/8” extension then to makita driver drill, popped out in about five seconds.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

The flame arrester is designed to keep any flame at the neck of the gas tank. This is how a gas lamp works. Put gas cap back on and hopefully any fire is now out.

Gas will not burn, but as we all know the fumes will and are very dangerous.

Without flame arrester. Flame will go into the tank and depending on amount of gas and other things, you could have an explosion. Also arrester keeps things from going into tank that you don’t want there.

If it wasn’t needed, Henry would not have installed it. Back in the day there were many concerns about the placement of the gas tank in the Model A. Not the best design.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

BEFORE you pull the gas gauge out, DISCONNECT the BATTERY ! ! ! ! !
Paul in CT

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Had not thought of this - thanks.


Have also considered 1st attempting to remove the screen with the gas tank full so little to no vapors in the tank, and then if necessary drain the gas down for access through the tank Gas Gauge Hole. Also do this outside on a cool day with a box fan (they are AC, no sparking DC brushes) over the Tank, and doors open. Having the gas cap handy, fire extinguisher, and heavy blankets handy.


And the Fire Dept./EMS on alert:)


Will be doing this next spring, my A is unavailable, currently in storage for its winter nap. Storage time is a great time to prepare for the next driving season.




Thanks to all for suggestions, please keep them coming if there are additional suggestions.

Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal
 

Poke a large wooden dowel down into the tank and smoosh it flat enough so it doesn't roll around and bother you or your gas gauge.
Buy another one and forget about the one on the bottom of your tank.