Question on gas gauge replacement

[smittykid]

I see that Snyder's sells an imported gas gauge assbly. for $38.75. They recommend a neoprene float & gaskets to counter-act today's corn liquor gas. I knew when I bought the car the gas gauge didn't work. I'm wondering if anyone out there has had any experience with the imported gas gauge assemblies. I'm trying to get my shopping list for Snyder's wrapped up. They are only about 2 hrs. from me. I plan on getting a luggage rack & trunk and I'm sure for what I'm going to pay for gas will more than make up for the shipping charges. Smitty

[mhsprecher]

The originals are pretty easy to rebuild. You could buy one and a rebuild kit and return what you don't use.

[Mitch//pa]

i have used the complete units before with no trouble. that being said not much usually goes wrong with the original other than the cork float sinks so maybe just replace the float with the neoprene one. also use the cork gaskets on the gauge to tank as the rubber ones easily deteriorate from the ethanol.

[29Cabriolet]

I recently completed a gas tank removal and repair and in the process replaced the gas gauge gaskets and float. The float I used is neoprene but I found that it didn't fit tightly enough on the wire arm. Rather than soldering a washer to the arm, I fit the arm with just the right size roll pin from Lowe's.

[rscardina]

Mine didn't work when I bought my car. The float was bad. Like Mitch said, there isn't much to them. The biggest problem that I have read here on the Barn is leaks after reassembly. I wanted to keep my old gauge so I replaced the float and it works fine. I borrowed the tool from someone in my club that made the job super easy.

[Terry,NJ]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

The gaskets and float are cheap enough. Nowhere near $38. The job is easy to do. You just need the special wrenches (2) and they're under $10 each.
Terry

[Tom Wesenberg]

Start soaking the gas gauge nuts with Kroil, as they can be stuck from old gas. Be sure to push in on the tools as you unscrew the gauge nuts, or the tool may pop out of place and scratch some parts.

[waxhead]

As many have already stated, get a new neoprene float and gaskets/seals. Clean up the old one and put it back in.

Best to buy or borrow the right tool to do it up nice and tight to ensure it doesn't leak.

[Tiny]

Originally Posted by waxhead

As many have already stated, get a new neoprene float and gaskets/seals. Clean up the old one and put it back in.

Best to buy or borrow the right tool to do it up nice and tight to ensure it doesn't leak.

Really what you want is a neoprene float and cork gaskets.

[Drive Shaft Dave]

The problem I had with a repop outer nut was it wouldn't thread in to the tank more than one turn. Went to my junk box of original gas gage part's and found an original outer nut, fit perfect. Not saying that all repro nut's are bad but this one was. Nothing like original part's.

[Tom Wesenberg]

I installed a customer's fuel guage once and his repro inner nut wouldn't screw in more than a thread or two. It was like the chrome made it too large. I hope that isn't the norm for the repro inner nuts.

[Clem Clement]

Don't try the job without the special tools. Also there are cheapo version of the tools out there that I have had trouble with. Borrow a good set.

[KGBnut]

My gas gauge was leaking and the original gaskets had fused like iron. I couldn't get it apart. I didn't want to be without the car, so I got a used re-pop on eBay pretty cheap, and put it in temporarily.

I soaked my original in lacquer thinner for more than a week and it finally came apart (but I broke a piece off the dial in the process). I clean up and rebuilt the original, and used a generous amount of JB Weld to repair the broken piece. Then I repainted the dial. Once it was complete, the original went back into service.

I ended up driving for about a month with the re-pop. I was surprised that it was comparable in accuracy with the original. It also fit and looked okay...not great, but okay. However, it made a funny noise. It rattled...a lot.

I am holding on the the re-pop as a passable spare, but I would recommend rebuilding your original.

Oh, and for those who noticed that the neoprene float fits loose, I found that a little bit of a bend in the float arm wire is enough to make it fit snug.

Good luck,

Ken

[Mike V. Florida]

I can't think of a single thing on the model A that is easier to get working again then the gas gauge.

[rocket1]

They inner plated gas gauge nuts are no good,won't thread on due to plating,there is a clamping tool available so the wrench won't pop of large nut,it is held on by the 2 upper dash screws,also new lens is garbage not a magnifying lens just flat glass.

[KGBnut]

Did the original glass magnify? That's news to me.

I just rebuilt mine, and have no reason to believe that it had been tampered with before... I had to get through 84 years of stubbornness to get it apart. And, I don't think that the glass was a magnifier.

[rocket1]

Originally Posted by KGBnut

Did the original glass magnify? That's news to me.

I just rebuilt mine, and have no reason to believe that it had been tampered with before... I had to get through 84 years of stubbornness to get it apart. And, I don't think that the glass was a magnifier.

rebuilt two 29 gas gauges,both glass lenses had a bubble that magnified,I assumed they were factory,could be wrong.

[larrys40]

The repro gauge assemblies are ok and fit function well, although, if you want the correct "restored" appearance I would restore an original gauge

Always assemble the gauge,glass, inner nut on the bench with the inner nut tight, and install the cork gasket and outer ring and nut once that's all done
I would recommend calibrating the gauge by bending the wire up or down so that when the tank is full and empty it registers as such
I install the neophrene floats on the arm with some thin stainless wire for insurance safety twisted nice and neat

Easy and enjoyable project as mike v says
Larry shepars

[Dick Webber]

I put a new float in mine. Don't remember what it was but it sank in about 2 years. Of course I threw away the original . . . . .

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Some older repro gauges had PLASTIC lens that would melt, turn BROWN, & hang up your gauge & even LEAK!!!
Bill W.