Cork VS neoprene gasket in gas gauge

[henry's 31]

Hi fellow Ford Barn members:

I am in the process of replacing the gas gauge in my 31 roadster and I am undecided if I should use cork or neoprene gasket in the opening of the gas tank. Which one will be more ressistant to the ethanol? Also which is the best sealer to use on these different gaskets? Andrew's just mentions a gasoline proof sealer in his book. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks,

Henry's 31

[Mitch//pa]

Cork and no sealer

[harleytoprock]

I also find cork more fuel proof. I have used permatex paste teflon thread sealer as a gasket sealer for fuel items. Gas doesn't seem to effect it. Don't use RTV silicone with fuel.

[bobpo1]

I used cork with a very thin coating permatex seal several years ago and it has held very well.
Now, on the other hand, use the neoprene float as opposed to the cork float in the tank......It won't soak up gas in time.

[al's28/33]

cork gaskets and a brass float similar to that used in the zenith carbs......search old forms and you'll find out all the particulars....

[quickchange]

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Cork gasket on the guage , use a smear of maple syrup or down under golden syrup; Done lots & no leaks, Derek in a wet cold NZ , Pray the salt stays dry. 9 weeks to go

[160B]

Originally Posted by quickchange

Cork gasket on the guage , use a smear of maple syrup or down under golden syrup; Done lots & no leaks, Derek in a wet cold NZ , Pray the salt stays dry. 9 weeks to go

Maple syrup is a poor substitute in any recipe for "Golden Syrup"!!!!

[barnstuf]

Use the cork gasket set which also includes the thin brass ring.

[SHEC]

Cork float BUT - neoprene gasket set on the gauge. Good combo - old and new.

Be well -

SHEC

[Mitch//pa]

Originally Posted by SHEC

Cork float BUT - neoprene gasket set on the gauge. Good combo - old and new.

Be well -

SHEC

disagree
that combo has not worked for me so ill stick to the cork gauge gaskets and the modern float instead of cork

[Tom Wesenberg]

X2 what Mitch said.
The cork on my float still works fine, but for sure use only cork on the glass lens.

[Allanw]

Originally Posted by quickchange

Cork gasket on the guage , use a smear of maple syrup or down under golden syrup; Done lots & no leaks, Derek in a wet cold NZ , Pray the salt stays dry. 9 weeks to go

^^^ THis.

Our neoprene gaskets swelled up, and stopped the gauge working properly.

Maple syrup - no leaks, and doesn't dissolve in petrol.

[henry's 31]

Thank you all for your postings. This website is a super tool available to all of us that love to work in our Model A and helps to provide answers that you can't find in any book or article. Thank you again for helping us keep our A's on the road.

In your debt,

Henry's 31

[jimalabam]

Hi Al: As above, use the cork and the brass seal, never used or thought of the "syrup" idea !!!

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

disagree
that combo has not worked for me so ill stick to the cork gauge gaskets and the modern float instead of cork

Originally Posted by Tom Wesenberg

X2 what Mitch said.
The cork on my float still works fine, but for sure use only cork on the glass lens.

Originally Posted by Allanw

^^^ THis.

Our neoprene gaskets swelled up, and stopped the gauge working properly.

Maple syrup - no leaks, and doesn't dissolve in petrol.

Add me to the list of the neoprene swelled up and the gauge stopped working.

[henry's 31]

Hi Jim:

Glad to hear from you and thanks for the information,

Henry's 31

[J Franklin]

Ethanol swells the neoprene. real gasoline doesn't seem to.

[SHEC]

I guess we are lucky out here in CA as we don't have a lot of ethanol fuel. Still would not purchase it if readily easily available! I have been lucky since my American made Neoprene set has been in the car for over 25 years.

Sorry to hear of others having trouble but good to see the original cork set up (as designed) still works fine -

Thanks folks -

SHEC

[Allanw]

No ethanol in our fuel, and the neoprene swelled until the guage would jam showing full, unless you pushed the float down with a stick - the same one we had to use to measure the fuel level

I pulled the gauge back out, used a scalpel to trim the swelled part off, and all is OK, but I'd either use the cork, or some decent fuel-proof material to make my own next time.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by SHEC

I guess we are lucky out here in CA as we don't have a lot of ethanol fuel. Still would not purchase it if readily easily available! I have been lucky since my American made Neoprene set has been in the car for over 25 years.

Sorry to hear of others having trouble but good to see the original cork set up (as designed) still works fine -

Thanks folks -

SHEC

There are only 19 station in all of california that sells 100% gasoline.

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp?stateprov=CA