I need help with a hydrostatic fuel gauge

Chris

Chris

Well-known member
I am trying to get the fuel gauge in my 33 pickup working. I bought a kit from Bob Drake and have read through the instructions. Heres my question. Whats a good way to clean the original gauge tube and glass? I can't get air to pass from the brass tube up through the glass and I think it may be plugged up.
Anyone have any experience with these? This is the first one I have messed with.

Thanks, Chris
 
I would fill the glass with brake clean or acitone and let it soak over night, then flush it out, I would not use compressed air just blow thru after cleaning the cleaning stuff out.
I had the same problem and the brake clean did the trick.
Lawrie
 
I have used a small wire. Be sure to save the small solid wire that should be in the glass, it is the original calibration wire. You will need to fab something that will allow you to blow out the air tube with a hand pump. I used an old gauge connector, the hexigon part and brazed a brass neck from a innertube to it.
 
Great timing; I almost picked up my Fuel line yesterday. Good luck and keep me posted on your progress because this is another one I am comming up on soon.
 
first try the brake cleaner if you can fill some in the brass tank and it appears in the glass the tube is open. I have also used liquid toilet bowl cleaner full strength(harsh stuff read the label) and let it sit overnight. If the tube is still pluged, remove the glass section and get the small tube as straight as possible and use one of the strands from stranded electrical wire feed it in using small plyers through the glass section and to the brass tank. If that doesn`t work it`s trash and you will have to find a replacement. I have seen them new(just the brass tank, tube and glass tank as an assembly ) or replace the guage. do not get any chemicals on the face of the gauge or your own. Acetone on a cotton swab works well for cleaning the glass section.
 
To repair the King-Seeley hydrostatic gas gauge get the instructions from Skinned Knuckles Oct 2007. Also, V8 Times: July 1998, Sept 1998, May 2002, Nov 1998. The solvents that should work are denatured alcohol or shellac thinner. Use the solvent with a pipe cleaner and let it sit. The fluid for the gauge is acetylene tetrabromide also called 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane and has a specific gravity of 2.96!! This fluid is supplied with the kits or you can get it from the usual early Ford parts suppliers. Don't get this fluid on you as it will cause a burn. Also, after some time the fluid sometimes goes clear. Get your hands on the Skinned Knuckles, it is well done. Good luck. Don
 
I first showed this in 2007 Here it is again since the photos are easy to post ,I use a drill with welding wire , un solder the tube and Straighten it out,
 
Dave D, I can vouch for the specific gravity of Tetra-bromoethane as being 2.95. Heavy stuff for sure. Original literature called for it to be dyed with 'Durant' scarlet dye. The modern replacement liquid sold by the vendors has a tendancy to lose its colour after some time. This stuff is very corrosive, and probably carcinogenic as hell to boot! However, a properly working hydrostatic fuel gauge is trouble free and very accurate. Brian
 
You do this if all else failes ,some you clean with chemicals but most will be blocked up bad ,You are dealing with brass no problem ,of metal fatigue ,
forever4 said:
Ted, what is the reason to straighten the tube out? Seems unnecessary, and risk of cracking or fatigueing it.
Click to expand...
 
Welp I got a good gauge and it all hooked up with new line but it will not read. Any trouble shooting tips?
 
Chris, GM( George Mitchell) posted a detailed method for cleaning the brass tube connecting the glass tube to the copper fluid reservoir a few years ago. We used his method and opened the small tubing, even though it took about an hour to do the job. After two years mine is still working in my 34 Ford. The fliud which I bought from Macs Ford parts has since lost its red color, but the guage reading is accurate. Maybe GM will post that info again. Tom
 
You blow down the fuel line ,this is the line to the fuel pump ,You can do this with your mouth ,this produces bubbles under the little cups in the tank this should set it going or you can just drive the car.,when you add red liquid it should sit at MT,then after adding air into the tank it should start working,( you may need to add or takeaway fluid ) .the i/8 air line needs to be air tight .you need to dry out the 1/8 tube with a tire pump .about 20pumps .As the photo above I use a mig welding wire as a drill.When you straighten out the tube watch you do not damage the seal at the glass ,You could try epoxy glue if you do ,You can use a piece of 3/32 brass welding wire as the calibration in the tube,cut to about a 1"If this doesn't work remove the tank unit and look for damage .
 
I should have said, if all this does not work then remove the tank .! Also I use a propane torch to remove the 1/8 tube .You can solder it back on or use a Plumbers copper pipe brazing rod.You should try the Chemical clean first then use this method if that doesn't work.
 
I'm glad you asked about this as I will be doing the same on my 34 pickup, I printed the replies out and wish to thank you barners for the info.
Gary.
 
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