Fuel tank spark arrestor/ screen

trax

trax

Junior Member
Yesterday I bid on a early threaded style fuel tank spark arrestor/ screen on Ebay
I lost and it sold for $55. Is there a vendor that sells new ones and what do used original arrestors normally sell for?
 
I sold the ones that I had over ten years ago for around ten dollsars each . I guess I sold too cheap but those things are a real pain in the azz. They make it near impossible to pump gas in to the tank because they cause the pump to cut off. Mike K says that you can knock the bottom out and they will still work as a flame arrester, I don't know I never tried it.
 
Second time that I have heard of the problem pumping gas
with arrestor in place. I don't have one now. Do most Model A
owners run without arrestors?
 
I've never seen one used except the one that I tried to use in 1977. The ones that I sold were mostly from a collection of parts that I bought in 99. Undoubtably others didn't like them either
 
I have the spark arrestor on mine. It does make it a bit tougher to fill with fuel especially if the filling stations pump pressure is high. I have a couple of filling stations locally that I avoid like the plauge because of the high pressure pumps. I keep mine on not because I'm worried about blowing things up but more so since that is the way they are supposed to be.
 
I removed the arrestor from my car. They were fine when gas was gravity feed. But now the fuel flow is too fast, the fuel spatters all over the place. The ethanol makes marks in the paint. I think I may have one in the shop, but unless you are 'fine point' and plan on putting it on and off, I would stay without it.
 
I keep the flame arrestor in mine, but then I have seen the result of a static spark and a wide open fuel filler. Back when I used to refuel aircraft we would not bring the fuel nozzle anywhere near an aircraft until the grounding cable was attached! (I wish gas stations had them.)

BTW my 29 tudor was missing the screen when I got it, but a search through my old (20 years out of the hobby) boxes of Model A parts turned up one! :D Yes I never threw out anything. Luckily my wife is also a bit of a border when it come to quilting stuff, so keeping all my Model A parts was not an issue.
 
I have an original in my 1931. I have no problem filling it up with today's gas pump.

I lift the nozzle so that it's about 2 inches below the top or a couple of inches above the bottom of the spark arrestor and wait for the pump to shut off by itself. I run the pump speed somewhat slow.

The model a only holds 10 gallons max, so it isn't hard for me to hold the pump nozzle slightly above the bottom of the arrestor's base while it fills. since it takes such a short time.

Marc
 
trax said:
Yesterday I bid on a early threaded style fuel tank spark arrestor/ screen on Ebay
I lost and it sold for $55. Is there a vendor that sells new ones and what do used original arrestors normally sell for?
Click to expand...

Yes, they are expensive and are not as far as I know not reproduced, although the tabbed version is. There is also a "universal" one reproduced that is held in only by gravity. When I first started looking for parts on ebay I often lost. I would have the high bid until the very end of the auction and someone would jump in an steal the item from me! :mad: I had been defeated by an auction "sniper" - a program that sits and monitors an auction and places a bid when there is only seconds left on the auction. I am on a Mac. So I went to the app store and picked up the "Auction Bidding Sniper for eBay" app for $4. Now armed with my own "sniper" I only lose when the item goes for more than I am willing to pay.
 
1crosscut said:
I have the spark arrestor on mine. It does make it a bit tougher to fill with fuel especially if the filling stations pump pressure is high. I have a couple of filling stations locally that I avoid like the plauge because of the high pressure pumps. I keep mine on not because I'm worried about blowing things up but more so since that is the way they are supposed to be.
Click to expand...

Ditto:)
 
I have the 'spark arrestor' screens in both my '28 Phaeton (screw in type) and my '31 Dlx Coupe (tab type). I leave them in because they help stabilize the 'slosh' and spill over of the gasoline when I have a full (and nearly full) tank of gas. I take them out when filling up with gas at a filling station. And YES, it is a bit of a hassle to do this, but then I only fill up about once every two or three weeks. For me it is worth the hassle.

I also have a 'Neck Extention' - not the $45 aluminum one sold by parts houses - but the 'poor man's' equivilent. That is to say, a couple of inch and a half PVC coupling & nipple, screwed to the proper length. Because of the difference in shape and tank volumn between the two cars, I have to have one for each car, each custom made for the specific tank. Total cost for the two 'Neck Extentions' - $4. including the tax.

Post # 9 : The 1930 and '31 gas tanks held 11 gallons of gas. It is the '28 & '29 that holds 10 gallons of gas.
 
DougVieyra said:
I also have a 'Neck Extention' - not the $45 aluminum one sold by parts houses - but the 'poor man's' equivilent. That is to say, a couple of inch and a half PVC coupling & nipple, screwed to the proper length. Because of the difference in shape and tank volumn between the two cars, I have to have one for each car, each custom made for the specific tank. Total cost for the two 'Neck Extentions' - $4. including the tax.
Click to expand...

You may want to use caution when using a PVC "Neck Extension". There is the possibility of your car picking up a static charge as it is being filled. The metal necks and the metal nozzle will ground everything to keep this from being a problem. The PVC extension may insulate the nozzle from the body of the car and any built up static charge will not be dissipated.

I will not use the PVC extensions for this reason.

JMO

Chris W.
 
Please ground gas nozzle to gas tank neck before pumping gas!!! No spark
no flame no need to test screen-arrestor thingy. I was taught this when
I began working at local airport pumping gas. No spark no flame no bad day
 
CWPASADENA - ". . . use caution when using a PVC "Neck Extension".
_____________________________________

When I was young, I never drank alcohol, smoked cigerattes, chased married women. I never rode motor-cycles, raced fast cars, took drugs, or put a tattoo on my body.

Now however, as I have aged considerably, I like to occaisionally step 'on the wild side', do 'deeds of daring do', and gamble with the excitement of life !

However, Chris (and Big Hammer) I am aware of the inherent danger and risk of a spark in the gas tank and my car exploding. However as just about every aspect of our lives are filled with danger from a hundred expected and unexpected sources, using a PVC fitting to fill my gas tank, is a remote and relatively unlikely danger - one that I am willing to risk.

But it is good that you raised the point, because it is important for each of us to make our own decisions as to how much risk we want to take. And having information gives us the 'food for thought'.

Thanks again for bring this point up. It is important for others to be aware of it.
 
Bought a nice old one at Gilmore this past fall but have not yet put it on the car. I am not sure how the screen will prevent a spark and a flash fire tho'. I always touch the fill nozzle to the tank fill pipe before starting to pump gas. How will putting the screen/arrestor into the tank make the process safer ? Thanks for your help.
 
In New. Jersey all the pumps have a vapor recovery system at the pump nozzle,you have to insert the nozzle into the tank all the way or it won't pump gas,it usually pushed the tank filter into the tank,I finally removed it totally 40 years ago and lost it.
 
harleytoprock said:
Motorcycle gas tanks have no spark arrestors and they don't blow up when filling. Why does there seem to be concern with Model A's?
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Because it's straddled! I couldn't resist but you bring up a good point!

I know this isn't a Model A question but were early fuel tanks of other cars and bikes fitted with these devises? I don't think Model Ts were.
 
My roadster came with one and it is still in place. My town sedan does not have one. We have vapor recovery here and I don't need to put the nozzle way down in to fill the tank. I do need to be careful when filling so it doesn't spill, but it has not really been a problem.

I have seen those neck extenders advertised. I am sure they help, but I don't see the need to get one.
 
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