The Ford Barn

Tim Ayers · 04-11-2022, 05:30 AM

Hi All:

Followed the very clear diagram on installing the fuel gauge. Went with cork gaskets and dry as per many of the comments. Curious how tight the inner ring and the outer nut should be? I have the good tool set, so no issues with that.

Thanks,

Tim

old31 · 04-11-2022, 06:10 AM

Just snug works for me. Does not have to be gorilla tight.

Bob Bidonde · 04-11-2022, 08:08 AM

Snug as "Old31" suggests and check for leaks. Snug some more if necessary to stop leakage.

old ugly · 04-11-2022, 08:14 AM

what i found.
before you assemble the gauge into the tank test fit the gauge components on the bench. if the outer ring does not turn freely when you test fit it over the gauge clean up the inner edge of the ring so it will. just the inside edge where it touches, don't destroy the finish just enough so it turns nice.
otherwise you will never be able to tighten the gauge in the tank without the whole unit turning out of position. the gauge will turn as you tighten the ring.

start with snug as said by old31

Big hammer · 04-11-2022, 08:22 AM

Snug enough as not to leak, if you can turn the assembly with the inter tool then you need to tighten it more ( after readjusting the assembly).

Synchro909 · 04-11-2022, 06:39 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Even getting things snug (which is enough in my book) is not easy if you are using those cast aluminium tools sold by the vendors. I suggest you go with the better quality ones. I made my own years ago after trying with those crap cast ones.

Tinbasher · 04-11-2022, 06:47 PM

A little grease on the brass rings really helps when putting the gauge together. It allows the gauge to stay centred while you tighten up the nut. A trick from another Model A member.

larrys40 · 04-11-2022, 06:50 PM

I do these all the time and it’s unbelievable how many leak. I’m my opinion the cork gaskets are best. The glass and surfaces need to be clean. Make sure all the grooves on the gas tank surface are clean and clear. The inner gauge can and should be assembled on the bench. The inner nut tight. Not killer but “tight”.

Make sure gauge is calibrated by tweaking the arm (bend as needed) to make sure full is full pulling arm up with wire or magnet to show full when up against tank top. Just hold gauge in till this step is done, remove adjust if necessary.
Install with cork gasket to tank, then brass ring following install of gauge. The outer nut “tight” but again not killer tight. Snug will leak given time, probably sooner than later.

The original 5z ford gas gauge tools are best. Reproduction units are I know what are at most folks diaposal. No substitute for the original 5z tools .

Hopefully all will have good results !
Happy Model A Motoring…
Larry Shepard

steve hackel · 04-11-2022, 09:51 PM

A somewhat related question to the installation; here, as in other posts, it's often
recommended to use a little grease on the threads for ease of tightening up the nuts.
Has anyone ever considered using a very soft bees wax in place of the grease?

Eventually the grease would dissolve with the gas in the tank, where as the wax
on the threads would be there until the next time it would need to be done. Thoughts?

04-11-2022, 05:30 AM	#1
Tim Ayers Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 6,179	Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? Hi All: Followed the very clear diagram on installing the fuel gauge. Went with cork gaskets and dry as per many of the comments. Curious how tight the inner ring and the outer nut should be? I have the good tool set, so no issues with that. Thanks, Tim

04-11-2022, 06:10 AM	#2
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,097	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? Just snug works for me. Does not have to be gorilla tight.

04-11-2022, 08:08 AM	#3
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,463	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? Snug as "Old31" suggests and check for leaks. Snug some more if necessary to stop leakage. __________________ Bob Bidonde

04-11-2022, 08:14 AM	#4
old ugly Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Location: alberta canada Posts: 585	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? what i found. before you assemble the gauge into the tank test fit the gauge components on the bench. if the outer ring does not turn freely when you test fit it over the gauge clean up the inner edge of the ring so it will. just the inside edge where it touches, don't destroy the finish just enough so it turns nice. otherwise you will never be able to tighten the gauge in the tank without the whole unit turning out of position. the gauge will turn as you tighten the ring. start with snug as said by old31 __________________ old ugly my old father-in-law told me. "listen close when people tell you how to do stuff they may know something. then do it the way you want."

04-11-2022, 08:22 AM	#5
Big hammer Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Land of Lincoln Posts: 3,131	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? Snug enough as not to leak, if you can turn the assembly with the inter tool then you need to tighten it more ( after readjusting the assembly). __________________ Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap get a bigger hammer tap done

04-11-2022, 06:39 PM	#6
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Even getting things snug (which is enough in my book) is not easy if you are using those cast aluminium tools sold by the vendors. I suggest you go with the better quality ones. I made my own years ago after trying with those crap cast ones. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

04-11-2022, 06:47 PM	#7
Tinbasher Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Innisfil, Ontario Canada Posts: 1,174	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? A little grease on the brass rings really helps when putting the gauge together. It allows the gauge to stay centred while you tighten up the nut. A trick from another Model A member.

04-11-2022, 06:50 PM	#8
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? I do these all the time and it’s unbelievable how many leak. I’m my opinion the cork gaskets are best. The glass and surfaces need to be clean. Make sure all the grooves on the gas tank surface are clean and clear. The inner gauge can and should be assembled on the bench. The inner nut tight. Not killer but “tight”. Make sure gauge is calibrated by tweaking the arm (bend as needed) to make sure full is full pulling arm up with wire or magnet to show full when up against tank top. Just hold gauge in till this step is done, remove adjust if necessary. Install with cork gasket to tank, then brass ring following install of gauge. The outer nut “tight” but again not killer tight. Snug will leak given time, probably sooner than later. The original 5z ford gas gauge tools are best. Reproduction units are I know what are at most folks diaposal. No substitute for the original 5z tools . Hopefully all will have good results ! Happy Model A Motoring… Larry Shepard

04-11-2022, 09:51 PM	#9
steve hackel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: midlothian illinois Posts: 447	Re: Gas gauge install: How tight inner ring & outer nut? A somewhat related question to the installation; here, as in other posts, it's often recommended to use a little grease on the threads for ease of tightening up the nuts. Has anyone ever considered using a very soft bees wax in place of the grease? Eventually the grease would dissolve with the gas in the tank, where as the wax on the threads would be there until the next time it would need to be done. Thoughts?