02-01-2013, 01:14 PM | #1 |
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Fuel Gage
I just put fuel in my 31 tudor and found that the fuel gage is not showing anything but EMPTY. I took a wire and lifted the arm thinking that it was hung up but no, the cork is still connected and it just returned to the bottom of the tank. I thought cork was supposed to float in a liquid, any thoughts? Ethanol? Thanks, Robert
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02-01-2013, 01:32 PM | #2 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Could be the end of life for the cork float, it may need to be replaced.
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02-01-2013, 01:34 PM | #3 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Not a big deal the cork is bad. Pretty easy to replace.
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02-01-2013, 02:08 PM | #4 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Is the neoprene one Bratton's sells better? How about in the long run?
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02-01-2013, 02:17 PM | #5 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Use the neoprene one or an old carb float.
I know A&L is still doing the original cork ones. Paul in CT |
02-01-2013, 02:19 PM | #6 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
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02-01-2013, 03:37 PM | #7 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
My composites / neoprene have yet to fail after replacing the cork ones every other year. Also use the cork gasket on the fuel gauge mounting not the neoprene.
Last edited by Mitch//pa; 02-01-2013 at 07:08 PM. |
02-01-2013, 05:07 PM | #8 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
I'm using neoprene. Looks good after several years..
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02-01-2013, 05:08 PM | #9 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
The ethanol dissolves the coating on the cork and it sinks. After being replaced in 1985 mine sunk as well.
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02-01-2013, 05:34 PM | #10 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
So you are suppose to use the neoprene float not the cork one, but use the cork gasket not the neoprene one? I'm confused, if it attacks cork as a float wouldn't it do the same as a gasket?
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02-01-2013, 05:42 PM | #11 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
I use the neoprene seals as well. Coat them with a small amount of hylomar sealant and they work like a charm.
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02-01-2013, 05:53 PM | #12 | |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Quote:
So you are suppose to use the neoprene float not the cork one,... Yes, the coating will dissolve and the cork will sink. ...use the cork gasket not the neoprene one? Yes, the neoprene (different formulation) will swell, so use the cork. I'm confused, if it attacks cork as a float wouldn't it do the same as a gasket? The cork is not attacked the coating on the cork is attacked.
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02-01-2013, 06:17 PM | #13 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Yep, it's one more great Model A mystery. I will only use cork when working on the glass sight and also for the glass sediment bowl. I have cork for my float and it's been fine since I installed it 10 years ago. I've only used the neoprene floats for other people though, and they have also been fine. If my cork ever sinks then it too will get changed to neoprene.
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02-01-2013, 11:19 PM | #14 | |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Quote:
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02-02-2013, 10:20 AM | #15 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Over the years BEFORE the ethanol I'm sure there were many cork float failures, for what ever reason.
Paul in CT |
02-03-2013, 02:54 AM | #16 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Yes, it was common. As a kid, I remember Chief would lay the gas guage assembly in the sun all day to dry out the cork. It was my "job" to coat it with shellac several times. I'm sure it was minimun wage! Bill W.
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02-03-2013, 01:15 PM | #17 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
Alcohol is a solvent for shellac. Gasoline is not. The cork floats worked for decades, before they were exposed to ethonol.
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02-03-2013, 10:47 PM | #18 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
I never knew that Shellac is a resin secreted by the female lac bug, on trees in the forests of India and Thailand. It is processed and sold as dry flakes, which are dissolved in ethyl alcohol to make liquid shellac, which is used as a brush-on colorant, food glaze and wood finish. Shellac functions as a tough natural primer, sanding sealant, tannin-blocker, odour-blocker, stain, and high-gloss varnish. Shellac was once used in electrical applications as it possesses good insulation qualities and it seals out moisture.
I tried to buy it for my cork, $11 for a 1/2 pint. But notice that it is dissolved in ethyl alcohol. I'm replacing mine now. |
02-03-2013, 11:26 PM | #19 |
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Re: Fuel Gage
The cork dissolved, so I went with the neoprene. It slipped off the end of the crimped wire, so I went with the brass float that has a flange that fits to the wire.
http://www.snjparts.com/Model-A-Fuel...a-9313-br.html
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02-04-2013, 12:19 AM | #20 | |
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Re: Fuel Gage
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