Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 12-14-2018, 12:22 PM   #1
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

This fall, lost my balance filling the gas tank, ended up poking the Tab Style Spark Arrester down into my gas tank.


Searched the Barn for tips on how to get it out, only found one mention of using a stick with a strong magnet attached to retrieve it.
At same time will be rebuilding the Gas Gauge, not working, perhaps damaged due to the loose spark arrester.


Other Methods?
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 01:22 PM   #2
Barry B./ Ma.
Senior Member
 
Barry B./ Ma.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southbridge, Ma.
Posts: 1,614
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

you might be able to get a small but long forcepts thru the opening or even a hooked wire clothes hanger if you can see it. Use a small, powerful penlight to look through the gas opening.
Barry B./ Ma. is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 12-14-2018, 06:00 PM   #3
vern hodgson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: langley, wa.
Posts: 642
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Patience and more patience, I would use a magnetic pick up thru the gas gauge hole getting the small end to you, then catch that end with a hook, pulling the small end out first. May take most of the day, but..........
vern hodgson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 06:15 PM   #4
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Please just remember, no matter what you attempt to do, your working on a “GAS” tank.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 06:15 PM   #5
Dick Steinkamp
Senior Member
 
Dick Steinkamp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 1,163
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

I'd do the magnet thing also to get it where I could grab it. I'd also have the gauge out so you can get fingers or tools in there to help. It probably needs to come out backwards in order to start out the filler hole. You may even have to collapse the upper end to get it out (they're inexpensive )
__________________
All steel from pedal to wheel
Dick Steinkamp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 09:20 PM   #6
JoeCB
Senior Member
 
JoeCB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Farmington MI
Posts: 281
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Not to de-rail this thread, but after hearing of the complications resulting from dislodging the flame arrester, just how important is this little screen? Perhaps I have been living on borrowed time for the last 50 years not having one in my 31' Coupe.


Joe B
JoeCB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 09:25 PM   #7
1955cj5
Senior Member
 
1955cj5's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Boise, Idaho
Posts: 1,576
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

I was able to fish mine out using a telescoping type magnet and then grabbing it with vise-grips and pulling it out backwards

Mine had broken off so once I removed the screw type top portion it pulled out with little effort.

It would occasionally get tangled with the gauge float while it was loose in the tank.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2015_0814modelajeep1309.jpg (55.0 KB, 74 views)
__________________
Early '29 CCPU that had a 4-speed, but not any more.......in the family since '62
1955cj5 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 09:31 PM   #8
redmodelt
Senior Member
 
redmodelt's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 6,339
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Might work better if you can get one of those flex type magnets.
__________________
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
redmodelt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 10:40 PM   #9
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

As mentioned in #7, be sure to remove the top part of the screen first so you have a larger opening. My 28 had the flame arrestor laying in the bottom of the tank. The top part was extremely hard to remove, but after spraying Kroil and making a heavy duty blade to fit the slots, I was finally able to unscrew it. I then used a magnet to lift out the bottom part.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-14-2018, 11:19 PM   #10
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
As mentioned in #7, be sure to remove the top part of the screen first so you have a larger opening. My 28 had the flame arrestor laying in the bottom of the tank. The top part was extremely hard to remove, but after spraying Kroil and making a heavy duty blade to fit the slots, I was finally able to unscrew it. I then used a magnet to lift out the bottom part.
Am confused - my arrestor is the tab type, I thought the screw in type had slots. Perhaps I should look them up in the parts catalogues to get a better idea of what I am up against - will do.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2018, 01:39 AM   #11
Tom Wesenberg
Senior Member
 
Tom Wesenberg's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Mpls, MN
Posts: 27,582
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

OK, I wasn't sure which style you had, so the tab type will be easier, as you just lift out the top part, if the screen separated from it. If the complete flame arrestor got pushed into the tank, then I'd put the magnet to the bottom of the screen and lift it out backwards.
Tom Wesenberg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2018, 02:07 AM   #12
vern hodgson
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: langley, wa.
Posts: 642
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg View Post
As mentioned in #7, be sure to remove the top part of the screen first so you have a larger opening. My 28 had the flame arrestor laying in the bottom of the tank. The top part was extremely hard to remove, but after spraying Kroil and making a heavy duty blade to fit the slots, I was finally able to unscrew it. I then used a magnet to lift out the bottom part.
I fought removal of the threaded screen in a 28 gas tank, made a tool nothing I tried would get it to turn, finally as last try bought the removal tool, put it on my 3/8” extension then to makita driver drill, popped out in about five seconds.
vern hodgson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2018, 08:15 AM   #13
WHN
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Connecticut Shoreline
Posts: 1,815
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeCB View Post
Not to de-rail this thread, but after hearing of the complications resulting from dislodging the flame arrester, just how important is this little screen? Perhaps I have been living on borrowed time for the last 50 years not having one in my 31' Coupe.


Joe B
The flame arrester is designed to keep any flame at the neck of the gas tank. This is how a gas lamp works. Put gas cap back on and hopefully any fire is now out.

Gas will not burn, but as we all know the fumes will and are very dangerous.

Without flame arrester. Flame will go into the tank and depending on amount of gas and other things, you could have an explosion. Also arrester keeps things from going into tank that you don’t want there.

If it wasn’t needed, Henry would not have installed it. Back in the day there were many concerns about the placement of the gas tank in the Model A. Not the best design.
WHN is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2018, 12:13 PM   #14
1931 flamingo
Senior Member
 
1931 flamingo's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: new britain,ct 06052
Posts: 9,389
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

BEFORE you pull the gas gauge out, DISCONNECT the BATTERY ! ! ! ! !
Paul in CT
1931 flamingo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2018, 01:52 PM   #15
30 Closed Cab PU
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 2,332
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1931 flamingo View Post
BEFORE you pull the gas gauge out, DISCONNECT the BATTERY ! ! ! ! !
Paul in CT

Had not thought of this - thanks.


Have also considered 1st attempting to remove the screen with the gas tank full so little to no vapors in the tank, and then if necessary drain the gas down for access through the tank Gas Gauge Hole. Also do this outside on a cool day with a box fan (they are AC, no sparking DC brushes) over the Tank, and doors open. Having the gas cap handy, fire extinguisher, and heavy blankets handy.


And the Fire Dept./EMS on alert


Will be doing this next spring, my A is unavailable, currently in storage for its winter nap. Storage time is a great time to prepare for the next driving season.




Thanks to all for suggestions, please keep them coming if there are additional suggestions.
30 Closed Cab PU is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-15-2018, 05:10 PM   #16
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Fuel Spark Arrestor in bottom of Tank, removal

Poke a large wooden dowel down into the tank and smoosh it flat enough so it doesn't roll around and bother you or your gas gauge.
Buy another one and forget about the one on the bottom of your tank.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:41 AM.