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10-19-2021, 10:54 AM | #1 |
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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 |
10-19-2021, 11:42 AM | #2 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
This is the reason I try to only use 100% gasoline (no ethanol). The alcohol dissolves the cork.
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10-19-2021, 12:26 PM | #3 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
The gasket mostly likely succumbed to old age. The cork gaskets are the best in this application.
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10-19-2021, 12:45 PM | #4 |
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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. Normal gas is "only" 1,669 € per litre / 7,36 $ per gallon. |
10-19-2021, 02:27 PM | #5 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
You'll be changing the neoprene gaskets sooner than the cork gaskets.
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10-19-2021, 02:47 PM | #6 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
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10-19-2021, 05:30 PM | #7 |
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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.
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10-19-2021, 06:27 PM | #8 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
Cork gaskets and neoprene float seems to be the magical combination.
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10-20-2021, 04:46 AM | #9 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
Trying securing speedo cable to frame and firewall last
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10-20-2021, 11:02 AM | #10 |
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Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: Germany
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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! ) Lessons learned: Keep the tools in the car and ALWAYS carry some duck tape. Have a nice day, Daniel |
10-20-2021, 11:07 AM | #11 |
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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.
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10-20-2021, 11:57 AM | #12 |
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Location: Germany
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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.
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10-20-2021, 11:57 AM | #13 |
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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.
Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 10-20-2021 at 12:11 PM. |
10-20-2021, 12:30 PM | #14 |
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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 |
10-20-2021, 12:37 PM | #15 | |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
Quote:
I tightened by hand (OLD hands). Let it be for weeks and then re- tightened with tool. Seemed to need re-tightened for sure ! |
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10-20-2021, 10:40 PM | #16 | |
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Location: Germany
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
Quote:
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? |
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10-21-2021, 05:42 AM | #17 |
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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 . |
10-21-2021, 06:20 AM | #18 |
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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 |
10-21-2021, 06:43 AM | #19 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
Check your "Private Messages" in the top right corner of this webpage.
Marshall V. Daut |
10-21-2021, 09:05 AM | #20 |
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Re: Gas gauge gasket disintegrated
What is your source for the cork/BUTA-N gaskets? Please and thank you!
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