The Ford Barn

harleytoprock · 11-09-2015, 12:41 PM

I thought it would be a 10 minute job to replace the gaskets. Then I see at 10:00 and at 4:00 on the gasket surface why it was leaking. 4:00 looks like it rotted but it looks like someone did that 10:00. But why? I'm not coming up with an easy solution. What's your fix idea?

harleytoprock · 11-09-2015, 12:44 PM

Better picture.

Cool Hand Lurker · 11-09-2015, 12:59 PM

I have not taken my gauge out yet but soon I will have to. I expect that the 10:00 notch is a factory item for locating the gauge. The 4:00 notch looks like a rust problem, but if the gasket covers the factory notch then it probably will cover the other one too.

Mitch//pa · 11-09-2015, 01:19 PM

i have never seen a notch for locating the gauge... repair it with jb-weld make it smooth then use a cork gasket with a little right stuff on it

ericr · 11-09-2015, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

i have never seen a notch for locating the gauge... repair it with jb-weld make it smooth then use a cork gasket with a little right stuff on it

-come over to my house and I will show you one LOLOL. the Company started putting a slot to hold the gauge vertical in late '31.

ericr · 11-09-2015, 08:07 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

[QUOTE=1930 coupe;1186561]This is a late 31 location notch, there is NO notch on the gasket surface.[/QUOT

Please see page 555 in Service Bulletins.

glenn in camino · 11-09-2015, 08:29 PM

Looks like someone tried to make it better, but failed.

ericr · 11-09-2015, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1930 coupe

Got some better pictures, it is just like the picture on page 555 of the service bulletins.

thanks for the better pics, as the concept initially looks like it would increase leaks at the cost of improving centering of the gauge.

Mitch//pa · 11-09-2015, 09:03 PM

are the vendors only selling one style without the notch as a replacement??

daveymc29 · 11-09-2015, 10:30 PM

I have found that the very thin cork gaskets do the best job of sealing and looking correct. Some of the cork kits are way too thick and leave the top nut stuck way out from the gauge.

1929 · 11-09-2015, 11:29 PM

Seems like many of us are taking apart the gas gauge this week, I sprayed the ring before I took it apart.

ericr · 11-10-2015, 08:36 AM

actually I am fiddling with the gas gauge, it must be a virus LOL.

in reply to Mitch's question, I don't think the vendors offer that option. When I got my '31 sedan in the '60s, it had the slot but the float assembly was pre-slot, go figure. I ended up buying a float with the lug from Page's Model A in New Hampshire.

Mike V. Florida · 11-10-2015, 09:38 AM

From the pictures I see here, the first picture shoes a notch on the gasket surface and the other picture shows the notch in the threaded section. JB weld and smooth out the gasket area.

katy · 11-10-2015, 10:56 AM

My experience w/JB weld and corn gas was that the corn gas would soften up the JB weld. I never left it long enough to see it it would completely dissolve it or not.
I have heard, but don't know if it's true, that current production JB weld has been modified so that corn gas doesn't affect it.

Your mileage may vary.

beechboy · 11-11-2015, 06:38 AM

I have tried the J/B weld and it just doesn't hold up. I'm a truck driver and have bought different types of compounds around the country and have yet to find one to stand up to fuel. With that said, take your gaskets to a local airport, small airport, and find the repair hanger, asked the mechanic to coat your gaskets with aviation fuel sealer, transport port the treated gaskets in a plastic bag home and install them.

Tom Wesenberg · 11-11-2015, 07:18 AM

I would scrape the metal very clean and fill the slots with solder. You could even fill the recessed ring area with a ring of copper wire to help reinforce the solder across the slot. If left as is the slots are right at the edge of the cork seal, but you might get lucky and have it seal. If you have a lathe you could also cut a brass ring to fit the recessed area, then solder the slot areas to fill them in. The brass would be stiffer than the copper wire I suggested earlier. Make sure the cork gasket goes to the extreme outside diameter.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 11-11-2015, 11:04 AM

If the gaskets don't fit the diameter, soak them in warm water.
Bill W.

afuncar · 11-11-2015, 11:14 AM

if you use any flame to repair tank make sure you clean to properly prevent possibility of explosion!

burner31 · 11-12-2015, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by afuncar

if you use any flame to repair tank make sure you clean to properly prevent possibility of explosion!

Gas tank + flame...yeah...let me know how that works out for ya, I'll be the one standing waaaaay over there.

harleytoprock · 11-11-2015, 06:49 PM

It seems, from what I have read on the internet, that about half of the people had no luck with JB Weld because gas eventually softened it up. So, if it ever stops raining, I will try solder first with my high watt soldering iron. It will be challenging to get the metal clean enough and for the solder to bridge the gaps vertically. But with a few tricks, I'll give it a try.

11-09-2015, 12:59 PM	#3
Cool Hand Lurker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Minn Posts: 1,580	Re: Leaky Gas Guage I have not taken my gauge out yet but soon I will have to. I expect that the 10:00 notch is a factory item for locating the gauge. The 4:00 notch looks like a rust problem, but if the gasket covers the factory notch then it probably will cover the other one too.

11-09-2015, 01:19 PM	#4
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Leaky Gas Guage i have never seen a notch for locating the gauge... repair it with jb-weld make it smooth then use a cork gasket with a little right stuff on it Last edited by Mitch//pa; 11-11-2015 at 07:45 PM. Reason: spellin

11-09-2015, 08:07 PM	#6
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Re: Leaky Gas Guage Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) [QUOTE=1930 coupe;1186561]This is a late 31 location notch, there is NO notch on the gasket surface.[/QUOT Please see page 555 in Service Bulletins.

11-09-2015, 08:29 PM	#7
glenn in camino Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Camino, CA. Posts: 3,086	Re: Leaky Gas Guage Looks like someone tried to make it better, but failed.

11-09-2015, 09:03 PM	#9
Mitch//pa BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks County, PA Posts: 11,454	Re: Leaky Gas Guage are the vendors only selling one style without the notch as a replacement??

11-09-2015, 10:30 PM	#10
daveymc29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Danville, CA Posts: 1,566	Re: Leaky Gas Guage I have found that the very thin cork gaskets do the best job of sealing and looking correct. Some of the cork kits are way too thick and leave the top nut stuck way out from the gauge.

11-09-2015, 11:29 PM	#11
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 944	Re: Leaky Gas Guage Seems like many of us are taking apart the gas gauge this week, I sprayed the ring before I took it apart.

11-10-2015, 08:36 AM	#12
ericr Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Posts: 1,542	Re: Leaky Gas Guage actually I am fiddling with the gas gauge, it must be a virus LOL. in reply to Mitch's question, I don't think the vendors offer that option. When I got my '31 sedan in the '60s, it had the slot but the float assembly was pre-slot, go figure. I ended up buying a float with the lug from Page's Model A in New Hampshire.

11-10-2015, 09:38 AM	#13
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Florida between Sarasota and TampaSouth Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Leaky Gas Guage From the pictures I see here, the first picture shoes a notch on the gasket surface and the other picture shows the notch in the threaded section. JB weld and smooth out the gasket area. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

11-10-2015, 10:56 AM	#14
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,716	Re: Leaky Gas Guage My experience w/JB weld and corn gas was that the corn gas would soften up the JB weld. I never left it long enough to see it it would completely dissolve it or not. I have heard, but don't know if it's true, that current production JB weld has been modified so that corn gas doesn't affect it. Your mileage may vary. __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

11-11-2015, 06:38 AM	#15
beechboy Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: springfield oh Posts: 57	Re: Leaky Gas Guage I have tried the J/B weld and it just doesn't hold up. I'm a truck driver and have bought different types of compounds around the country and have yet to find one to stand up to fuel. With that said, take your gaskets to a local airport, small airport, and find the repair hanger, asked the mechanic to coat your gaskets with aviation fuel sealer, transport port the treated gaskets in a plastic bag home and install them.

11-11-2015, 07:18 AM	#16
Tom Wesenberg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 27,582	Re: Leaky Gas Guage I would scrape the metal very clean and fill the slots with solder. You could even fill the recessed ring area with a ring of copper wire to help reinforce the solder across the slot. If left as is the slots are right at the edge of the cork seal, but you might get lucky and have it seal. If you have a lathe you could also cut a brass ring to fit the recessed area, then solder the slot areas to fill them in. The brass would be stiffer than the copper wire I suggested earlier. Make sure the cork gasket goes to the extreme outside diameter.

11-11-2015, 11:04 AM	#17
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Leaky Gas Guage If the gaskets don't fit the diameter, soak them in warm water. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

11-11-2015, 11:14 AM	#18
afuncar Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: coquitlam b.c. canada Posts: 130	Re: Leaky Gas Guage if you use any flame to repair tank make sure you clean to properly prevent possibility of explosion! Last edited by afuncar; 11-11-2015 at 11:16 AM. Reason: Bad grammer

11-11-2015, 06:49 PM	#20
harleytoprock Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 438	Re: Leaky Gas Guage It seems, from what I have read on the internet, that about half of the people had no luck with JB Weld because gas eventually softened it up. So, if it ever stops raining, I will try solder first with my high watt soldering iron. It will be challenging to get the metal clean enough and for the solder to bridge the gaps vertically. But with a few tricks, I'll give it a try.