Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Hello everyone,


now that the roadster is registered and street legal I have the first few problems:


1) Is it normal that the speedo cable has to be inserted in the speedometer first? If I insert it into the drive on the torque tube first it's too short to drive the speedometer. (I'll see if it keeps in place or falls out of the speedo after the first few rotations tomorrow)


2) The gas gauge was rebuilt around 2 and a half years ago. After filling it up completely today I noticed a leak on the gas gauge. After draining 1/4 of the tank and disassembling the gas gauge I found that the cork gasket is completely gone, only small crumbs are left. Has that happened before?
My guess is that it's the darned ethanol fumes in the fuel. Do the neoprene gaskets work better?

Thanks and have a nice day,


Daniel

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

This is the reason I try to only use 100% gasoline (no ethanol). The alcohol dissolves the cork.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

The gasket mostly likely succumbed to old age. The cork gaskets are the best in this application.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

I used new gaskets 2 and a half years ago and they were not NOS ones.
I'll try the neoprene ones, ethanol-free gas is not really an option because that's around 1,929 € per litre / 8,50 $ per gallon. :eek:
Normal gas is "only" 1,669 € per litre / 7,36 $ per gallon. :(

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

You'll be changing the neoprene gaskets sooner than the cork gaskets.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

If you install new cork gaskets and don't get them wet with gas in a couple of months they can disintegrate.I mostly find the quality of the cork is the biggest problem.Also,people will buy a gasket set and let it set around for a year or two before installing.I have two cars that have had the guages swimming around in alcohol for over 30 years.Probably longer,I did the guages in the early 80's,and a local station has been selling gas with alcohol in it since about 1980.It was marketed as gasohol in the early years,or at least until everybody else had to sell it.Then the name was dropped.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Use the cork gaskets. Some use a smear of grease on them to ease install and maybe it helps preserve them a bit.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Cork gaskets and neoprene float seems to be the magical combination.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Trying securing speedo cable to frame and firewall last

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Thanks for your replies.


Here's a small update:

The speedo works, but above a certain speed the speedo starts jumping and there's a loud buzzing/grinding sound coming from directly below the seat. I'm assuming that it's the speedo drive housing. It's slightly cracked so I assume the resistance from the speedo pushes the housing outwars just a bit, resulting in the gear grinding over the worm gear in the torque tube.
Removing the speedo cable solves that, so I'll order a new housing among some other parts while the car is in hibernation.


The gas gauge got a makeshift repair with liquid sealant because I don't have the gaskets stocked. I'll order new cork gaskets and coat them with gas resistant sealant before installation. That way they should last longer than the last one.


On top of that I lost almost all power today after a short trip at about 50 mph. Turns out that it wasn't a hanging float like I'd assumed (that has happened the first day after a sharp and fast left turn) but the small bakelite plate that opens the points-finger. Almost completely sheared off, it probably got brittle with age and just broke off. After trying to fix it with what I had with me (and failing miserably), I screwed the contact point all the way in and limped back home in 3rd gear at low revs. But at least I made it back without a trailer, so that's still something positive.


Total statistic so far:
Runtime: ~4 - 5 hours over 3 days
Traveled distance: ~ 34 mls

Number of breakdowns: 2
Number of curses: 0 (a wonder! :eek: )
Lessons learned: Keep the tools in the car and ALWAYS carry some duck tape. :D


Have a nice day,


Daniel

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

When you replace the points smear a bit of points cam lubricant on the cam. Maybe even buff and polish the cam to make it less abrasive on the point block.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Good idea. The surface of the cam looks quite smooth but I'll polish and lubricate it when I have a new set of points.

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

I use Cork/BUTA-N gaskets in my gas cap, carburetor, sediment bowl and gas gauge. Never had a problem with ethanol.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...751bac8a_z.jpg

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

If the car is RHD the speedo cable is routed differently to LHD . The cable runs up through a slot in the toe board so is a shorter route . I have my LHD cars routed this way less bends . If you have a regular rear end 3.78 and need a 9/34 cap I will mail you one for free you pay postage . PM your address .I am in England not too far .

John in no change in location or weather

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

I just rebuilt my gas gage… with neoprene gasket.
I tightened by hand (OLD hands). Let it be for weeks and then re- tightened with tool. Seemed to need re-tightened for sure !

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Thanks for your offer John, but I have to make an order in the states anyway because there are a few parts that I need. So I can just put the speedo-parts on the list.
How can I check what rear end I have? Turn the engine a few revolutions and see how far the rear wheels turn?

If possible I'll compare the speedo with a modern car in the next few days, then I know if the speedo drive is the correct one. That would also tell me the rear end ratio, correct?

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Your speedo drive cap will be marked on the "bump" if you have the standard 3.78 rear end it will be marked 9/34 . The vendors only sell this ratio cap and it is way more likely you have the 9/34 . Order plenty of gaskets you adjust the gear mesh with these and can use up to three sandwiched . Adjust so you have a little slack ,no play is no good . Order to suit your speedo cable flag or square end .It could be your noise is the cap is on too tight .

John in same place same weather .

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

On the gas gauge..
Be sure and use the very thin brass washers as original. These let the nut slide on the gasket without crinkle or damage

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

Check your "Private Messages" in the top right corner of this webpage.
Marshall V. Daut

Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
 

What is your source for the cork/BUTA-N gaskets? Please and thank you!