Gas leaking thru Sight Glass

I

IndyA

Member
Need some help !!! (1) How far down do I have to drain the tank (from full) so that I can safely open the glass retainer nut ?

(2) can I replace the gaskets on lens without removing the large brass hex nut?

Thanks in Advance... Indy A
 
Good afternoon...Yes the big brass hex must come out and you need to purchase the correct tool from Bratton's or another supplier...they all have them. First, you should remove the chrome dashboard...purchase the gasket kit from your favorite supplier...you should be below one half tank of gas. Carefully clean everything and then follow the instructions...not a bad job...usually an hour or so will do it...unless it is really stuck like the one above...Ernie in Arizona
 
When you can't see the gas splashing in the little window when you rock the car...you're good to go.
And no...you have to take it apart
 
If the only problem is the glass leaking, I believe you don't need to completely disassemble the gauge. Use the outer bigger wrench to hold the outer ring from turning, and use the smaller tool to turn the inner star ring. The will access just the glass and associated gasket.

If it was me, I'd drive the car and brake to a stop with vigor from slow. No slosh in glass = low enough to remove with confidence.

If the seat where the glass sits is cracking or crumbled, you might need to take off the outer ring as well to take it off the car and clean it. I think its going to be easier to remove the glass on the car, compared to generating enough torque on something that small and weak when it's off the car. You can't put it in a vise.
 
Disassemble the whole thing and do it right the first time. Get the rebuild kit and take your time reassembling. You will never have to do it again!
 
Indy,

What ever you do, get it fixed. Gas leaking at this point can be very dangerous. A loose connection at the ignition switch or ammeter can cause a spark and your car to go up in flames. I have seen this happen.

Follow J's advice and first disconnect the battery.
 
To add to your enjoyment, you may find the kit parts don't fit. I found my (very nice looking) repop was apparently patterned after earlier gauges. The gaskets were 1/32" - I had to make my own - and the anchor hole for the plate was farther inside and smaller than the tang. I filed down the tab to fit the hole; that was the only part usable for me. I also used Permatex #3 on the gaskets to prevent leaks.

Nothing like a fun-filled evening of surprises.

BTW, Steve Plucker has a great website that describes the differences of many things besides gas gauges.
 
Thanks all that offered to help on the "leaking Sight Glass"... I had all the tools from a complete "re-install " 7 years ago... Followed one of the suggestions to slightly tighten the small glass retainer-nut and LO, the leak stopped. Decided not to attempt any more procedures.... Many, Many Thanks.... IndyA
 
I would add one thing to the advice above, drain the tank completely and pick out the remains of old sight glass gaskets/rings that have deteriorated and fell to the bottom of the tank. They will stop your gas line and carb up.
 
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