The Ford Barn

ericr · 11-07-2015, 04:41 PM

the float extends flush with the arm of the gas gauge, no way to install the tiny brass washer, assuming one could remove and recreate the little flat in the rod. The float won't stay on by compression, hole too wide.

does neoprene melt under a propane torch flame?

Barry B./ Ma. · 11-07-2015, 04:47 PM

No, it would burn and char. I cut a small slot in mine for the wire to lay in and epoxied the washer over the end of the wire.

ericr · 11-07-2015, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by forever4

Despite what everyone calls them in the catalogs, they are not made out of neoprene, FYI

you are always full of good news Vince jk jk....what is it made of, and more importantly, how would you secure it? bubble gum?

Mitch//pa · 11-07-2015, 04:53 PM

the phenolic float is longer as you mentioned.. i slice a line on the end on half of the float with a hacksaw blade so it slides on the wire further.. then you will be able to catch the retainer...
this will not effect the buoyancy.

i have squeezed the end of the wire in a vice to mushroom it after installing the washer

w.michael · 11-07-2015, 05:20 PM

Yes, you can cut a notch in the "neoprene" float as suggested. It cuts easily with a utility knife. Then the float will slip onto the "L" of the wire and the long side of the "L" will fit into the notch. That gives you enough wire sticking out of the float to solder or epoxy or JB Weld the washer onto the wire.

W. Michael

Ron in Quincy · 11-07-2015, 06:57 PM

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I have replaced Two of the cork floats; as the other gentleman said " cut a small grove for the wire to lay in", this will give you room on the end for the brass washer, also locks the float so it does not turn; I used my vice to flatten the end after I installed the brass washer.

Ron

RonC · 11-08-2015, 07:07 AM

I've seen gauges with brass floats soldered on. I think there was a vender selling the brass floats but you could easily attach almost any one on

Kurt in NJ · 11-08-2015, 08:30 AM

The arm on my car is shorter from several float changes, I found a round ball float that left a little of the arm sticking out and used stainless wire to hold it on ---modern cars that have the fuel pump in the tank many times get a new sender with the fuel pump ---I just kept collecting the floats ,the nicest fit was from a S550 Benz ---I tried cutting some and leaving the pieces in a jar of gas, the pieces took on some gas so I looked for one that didn't need modification, was contemplating grafting the arm, then got the small round ball one, it works good even though it is only 2/3 the size of the original, this is the 3rd float I have used, the first was a brass float, it cracked and sunk after 10 years, then the cork went 25 years, had been sunk for the last few

11-07-2015, 04:41 PM	#1
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide the float extends flush with the arm of the gas gauge, no way to install the tiny brass washer, assuming one could remove and recreate the little flat in the rod. The float won't stay on by compression, hole too wide. does neoprene melt under a propane torch flame?

11-07-2015, 04:47 PM	#2
Barry B./ Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southbridge, Ma. Posts: 1,614	Re: Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide No, it would burn and char. I cut a small slot in mine for the wire to lay in and epoxied the washer over the end of the wire.

11-07-2015, 04:53 PM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide the phenolic float is longer as you mentioned.. i slice a line on the end on half of the float with a hacksaw blade so it slides on the wire further.. then you will be able to catch the retainer... this will not effect the buoyancy. i have squeezed the end of the wire in a vice to mushroom it after installing the washer Last edited by Mitch//pa; 11-07-2015 at 05:23 PM.

11-07-2015, 05:20 PM	#5
w.michael Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: North Carolina Posts: 445	Re: Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide Yes, you can cut a notch in the "neoprene" float as suggested. It cuts easily with a utility knife. Then the float will slip onto the "L" of the wire and the long side of the "L" will fit into the notch. That gives you enough wire sticking out of the float to solder or epoxy or JB Weld the washer onto the wire. W. Michael

11-07-2015, 06:57 PM	#6
Ron in Quincy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Quincy, CA. Posts: 1,708	Re: Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have replaced Two of the cork floats; as the other gentleman said " cut a small grove for the wire to lay in", this will give you room on the end for the brass washer, also locks the float so it does not turn; I used my vice to flatten the end after I installed the brass washer. Ron

11-08-2015, 07:07 AM	#7
RonC Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 1,868	Re: Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide I've seen gauges with brass floats soldered on. I think there was a vender selling the brass floats but you could easily attach almost any one on

11-08-2015, 08:30 AM	#8
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,553	Re: Neoprene Gas Float Too Long, Hole Too Wide The arm on my car is shorter from several float changes, I found a round ball float that left a little of the arm sticking out and used stainless wire to hold it on ---modern cars that have the fuel pump in the tank many times get a new sender with the fuel pump ---I just kept collecting the floats ,the nicest fit was from a S550 Benz ---I tried cutting some and leaving the pieces in a jar of gas, the pieces took on some gas so I looked for one that didn't need modification, was contemplating grafting the arm, then got the small round ball one, it works good even though it is only 2/3 the size of the original, this is the 3rd float I have used, the first was a brass float, it cracked and sunk after 10 years, then the cork went 25 years, had been sunk for the last few