Anti Squeak Tape

[Bob V]

I am getting ready to install the gas tank in my 29 and am thinking about what to use for anti squeak material. I've read all the posts about using friction tape but see a couple of potential problems with it. First, its thin so it won't seal very well if the mating surfaces aren't perfect. Second, it is made of cotton so it will hold water even with the black tar on it. This will promote rust.

I've also looked at using the anti squeak webbing that Model A parts suppliers sell. Its too thick and is also made of cotton.

Has anyone tried rubber electrial tape? I'm not talking about vinyl tape but rubber tape that is used for water tight connections. Its thicker than friction tape but not as thick as anti squeak webbing. It will conform to less than perfect mating surfaces and will not hold water like cotton. The only possible down sides I can see are that it is soft and may loose its sealing property. Also, it may not hold up to engine heat.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Bob,personally I think you are trying to be an "over-achiever" in this but you need to be happy with what you have. If you feel like the rubber tape would serve your purpose, then I would use it. It can't hurt.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

BobV,
I have some 1/8" X 1/2" wide soft rubberized magnetic tape that Pat used in her crafting, came from a craft store. Maybe that would work?? It was the Dog's IDEA! Bill W.

 

[Special Coupe Frank]

The unvulcanized rubber electrical tape that Bob V mentioned is definitely not water absorbent, but while it is sticky to itself, as it picks-up dust from its surroundings, it looses its "tack" and may not stay in place.

Also not sure whether it might start to "ooze" from heat....

Friction-tape does work as an anti-squeak ( that's one of its original applications ); it's application here will probably outlast us reading this thread, and how much water are we really expecting this car to be exposed to ?

If we're concerned about how "thin" the friction tape is, use a second layer.


If I were not going to use friction tape, my next choice would be Gaffer's Tape, another fabric tape used in the stage and film industry. ( I will NEVER use duct-tape again! For anything ! )

My 2-cents-worth....

SC Frank

 

[Steve Plucker]

Instead of tape...any kind of tape...how about some Permatex Non-Hardening material on both sides of the mating surfaces of the tank and cowl sections?

Pluck

 

[Farrell In Vancouver]

I used thr rubber electrical tape in that spot and after three years it has not been a problem. It has good sealing properties as well. On Dad's 30' P/U He thinks he used a rubberized canvas product back then, and I noted some staining from water ingress on the drivers and passenger side. this may have contributed to the bottom cowl rot this truck now has after 35 years on the road. I think the only complaint I had with the rubber tape is getting the tank bolts through once its in. I thnk I used a spike to push a small hole first then stuff the tank bolts in.
Good luck with what ever you choose.

 

[crazycasey]

I apologize for reviving a decades old thread, but I didn’t feel it was appropriate to start a new thread. I bought gas tank “anti-squeak” welting for my ‘29 roadster from Mike’s A-Fordable, and this is what I received:

This isn’t what I think of when I think of friction tape. I’m assuming this is definitely “wrong”? It also seems like it would certainly attract moisture and cause rust...

My local Lowe’s carries both friction tape AND rubber electrical tape. Has the consensus at Ford Barn changed in the last decade? Which one should I use?

Thanks,

Casey

PS-sorry again for reviving an old thread. Hopefully that isn’t a huge faux pas.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

hockey stick handle tape ---works good for covering wiring harnesses too

 

[Dean Lemoine]

I used the same anti squeak from Mikes shown in Casey’s post. It’s been in there almost a year, no problems with it.

 

[28Danby]

Hockey tape

 

[Bob Bidonde]

This is my practice, but I only have experience with 1930 & '31 cars. Perhaps this technique can be adapted to 1928 & '29 cars.