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Old 12-07-2022, 03:23 PM   #1
Mulletwagon
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Default Gas Gauge

The gauge in my 31 has given up the ghost. Continually reads "0". Suspect the float is now floatless. I pulled up the float with a hooked wire and it just sunk back to 0. Welcome some incite on making the fix. Is it just a matter of using the special tool to pull the outter ring, removing the unit and changing out the float ? Any special notes, warnings, or cautions ? Thanx.
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Old 12-07-2022, 03:41 PM   #2
alexiskai
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

This is a pretty standard repair, it's covered in the red book and there are videos. Couple of notes:
  • Drain the tank, obviously.
  • When cleaning off the old gasket material, make sure none of it gets into the tank.
  • Sometimes people have trouble crimping the rod to keep the new float on, you can search for prior threads on that.
  • The rebuild kits come with one brass slip ring, but you'll need 2-3. Either order an extra or re-use the one already in there.
  • It may take a couple of tries to screw the inner ring back in; the cork gaskets sometimes get stuck in the threads and it binds.
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Old 12-07-2022, 03:54 PM   #3
Johnnya101
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

Test the new float first if it is one of the metal ones! Leave it in a gas can for a day before installing and watching the gauge go to zero again because there's a hole...
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Old 12-07-2022, 04:26 PM   #4
alexiskai
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

I recommend against the brass floats – they can get holes in them and, if your fuel level is low, you'll hear it go plink plink plink off the bottom of the tank as you drive. Though I guess some folks might appreciate that as a low-tech alert sound.
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Old 12-07-2022, 05:00 PM   #5
Herb Concord Ca
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

use a small amount of oil on the brass ring, it will slide better.
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Old 12-08-2022, 02:00 AM   #6
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

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Before brass tank floats came on the market you could use the brass float out of a Tilotson carburetor as it will fit though the tank gauge opening. I installed one in my Victoria 25 years ago and it is still going strong. The brass floats Reenlee sells are good quality. I have installed several for people and have not heard of any leaking. As far as hearing the metal float pinging off the inside of the tank, I wish my hearing was that good. The attached article explains how to repair the gauge.

https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...uge-Repair.pdf

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Old 12-08-2022, 05:18 AM   #7
Bruce of MN
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tom Endy View Post
The brass floats Reenlee sells are good quality.
Is Reenlee correct? I searched and came up empty.
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Old 12-08-2022, 12:44 PM   #8
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

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Originally Posted by Bruce of MN View Post
Is Reenlee correct? I searched and came up empty.
The brass floats are available from Mike's Afordable parts. Before you install it you should test it just like you do a brass carburetor float - immerse it in hot water (just down from boiling) and look for bubbles.

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Old 12-08-2022, 01:35 PM   #9
Tom Endy
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

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Originally Posted by Bruce of MN View Post
Is Reenlee correct? I searched and came up empty.
Open the attachment, Reenlee's contact information is there.

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Old 12-08-2022, 09:09 PM   #10
31a
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Default Re: Gas Gauge

Renner's Corner, good guy
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