gasgaugesealant

L

lakeside

Senior Member
I'm removing the gas gauge to clean up and reinstall. L.Andrews says (p. 1-175) use a ''gas resistant sealant'' on the large cork gasket that goes around the gas tank gauge hole. What product would anyone recommend for this job.?
Thanks.
 
Hylomar AF (not the original Hylomar Blue)

It seals well, it is resistant to gasoline, and never hardens. Very handy to use on gaskets and bolt threads that need a sealant all over the Model A.

I buy mine either at W.W. Grainger or on Amazon.
 
I've never used a sealant on the gaskets for the gauge. Just cleaned the surfaces really well before assembly. Have not had any problems.
 
First, thanks all for the input on the sealant.
In response to Big hammer #5. I was going to put in a new cork float and shellac it but I've been told that ethanol will dissolve the shellac so use NEOPRENE float instead. Why are you using cork?
 
use cork gaskets, plus a little maple syrup or golden syrup if south of the equator ? works every time & is cheap, plus use the neoprene float, Yes its a modification but a good one. Derek from a wet day in spring time ,
 
1crosscut said:
I've never used a sealant on the gaskets for the gauge. Just cleaned the surfaces really well before assembly. Have not had any problems.
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2rosella said:
I agree totally, never used any sealant just the correct gaskets and the very thin brass washer. I cleaned the threads on the gas tank as much as possible as the previous owner did use some sort of sealant.
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Me too although I also use a couple of the washers to act like a thrust bearing
 
I used a sealant. I think it was the no. 2 sealer reccomended for rebuilding the engine. No leaks for me.
 
I used Hylomar
For a float I used a float salvaged from bad fuel pump units taken out of modern cars--on my car I used a round ball float(from a S550 benz) a little smaller than the original float length which was perfect because the end of the arm was damaged, then I found a fuel pump assembly from a PT cruiser, it is exact size of original float
 
I know a Guy that soldered on a nice BRASS float, but the danged thing WOULDN'T fit through the HOLE!!! How exasperating!
Bill W.
 
lakeside said:
First, thanks all for the input on the sealant.
In response to Big hammer #5. I was going to put in a new cork float and shellac it but I've been told that ethanol will dissolve the shellac so use NEOPRENE float instead. Why are you using cork?
Click to expand...

Cork gaskets, my(I think) cork float came off, no signs of anything to hold it on.
If cork gaskets are better than neoprene, would not cork float be better than a neoprene float? Why shellac a cork float?
 
the shellack is to close the pores in the cork so it doesn't absorb fuel
the "modern"floats are not neoprene, probably nitrophyl
there was a washer put on the wire after the float, then the wire was flattened to keep the washer on

the end of my wire was broke off from previous repairs I did--original float replaced by brass--10 years cracked,sunk,then -cork, 15 years sunk, 5 years no gauge, now small ball float held on with stainless safety wire hooked in hole then wrapped around arm
 
I just looked a Bert's site, plastic float will not sink! I was thinking of installing with a push but, a washer and flattened end I think was what I did years ago. A small washer and a dab of solder might be a fix?
 
Kurt in NJ said:
the shellack is to close the pores in the cork so it doesn't absorb fuel
the "modern"floats are not neoprene, probably nitrophyl
there was a washer put on the wire after the float, then the wire was flattened to keep the washer on

the end of my wire was broke off from previous repairs I did--original float replaced by brass--10 years cracked,sunk,then -cork, 15 years sunk, 5 years no gauge, now small ball float held on with stainless safety wire hooked in hole then wrapped around arm
Click to expand...

I used a brass float from a carburetor, ten yrs ago and works well.

here is my answer to the question of what sealant to use ,to prevent leaks, when assembling gas guage gaskets.... I remember an old timer telling me to use light coating of 'honey' on both sides of each gasket, and after installing .to let set overnight before adding gas. great tip for me:).
 
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I think Permtex 2 Is fuel proof.

I soldiered a Tilitson tube like float to my gas gauge. Works great, it is the only Model A brass float I found that would fit through the hole.
JB
 
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Mitch//pa said:
I'm in the assemble it dry with cork gaskets camp
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Yep, that's always worked for me.

I installed a cork float about 20 years ago and it still works fine. I gave it an extra coat of shellac before I installed it, and I try to never use the corn crap gas.
 
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