The Ford Barn

Lee29coupe · 11-07-2022, 07:08 PM

Remove old float through filler hole with whatever can grab it, pull it all out. Get something that floats and put it on float arm anyway you can like copper wire, tie straps, aircraft safety wire, anything that can stand gas. Put two gallons in tank and use pliers or something like that to bend wire so gauge shows close to empty, wine corks, old carb floats, or any sealed fuel proof thing will work, fishing float???
Drill hole thru corks too slip on float wire. Remember this “is rocket science” so use brain and imagination, if it floats and fuel poof it will work. As long as you know your low level/empty position who cares how.

Tom Endy · 11-07-2022, 09:39 PM

The attached document has information about the brass float.

https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...uge-Repair.pdf

Tom Endy

Shelbycsx · 11-11-2022, 11:05 PM

I just did mine had the same issue I cut the float. I want to know why they make them so long and mine didn't come with a brass washer.

redmodelt · 11-12-2022, 12:41 AM

The modern material floats have been too long as long as I have been working with them. I just notch then solder a washer in place to hold it. If you need to replace at some point, you will not have to deal with the flattened end, again.

JayJay · 11-12-2022, 01:31 PM

So after I put the new float on (see #6 above) I noticed that the gauge would stick at 3/4 no matter how much fuel I put into it. Once it got down a bit it performed OK. So I removed the filler neck screen and now it works properly. I think the brass float is a bit larger diameter than the original cork or replacement neoprene, but I would not have expected the fit with the screen to be that close. The gauge never worked at all with the old cork float so I can't compare. But it works now.

JayJay

Herb Concord Ca · 11-12-2022, 07:42 PM

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Maybe the gauge wire needs to be bent horizontally.

JayJay · 11-13-2022, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herb Concord Ca

Maybe the gauge wire needs to be bent horizontally.

Herb, I suspect you are correct. I had been thinking that if the screen was the issue then possibly the shape of the wire arm was to blame. The wires on the gauges on my other cars are quite straight, sharp bend 45 degree, another sharp bend 45 degree, then sharp bend 90 degree for the float. The wire in this one has very gradual bends, almost soup can radius, which has the effect of shortening up the length. (Maybe having been replaced sometime in the past?) I likely won't pull the gauge just for this but I'll try to correct it if I ever have the gauge out again. I have the gauge out of my '30 so I have a template for the arm.

JayJay

Herb Concord Ca · 11-13-2022, 10:41 PM

When I did my roadster P/U, the fuel gauge wire was mis formed by the previous owner,
Somewhere on this site I got the dimensions to bend the wire, worked like a champ.

11-07-2022, 07:08 PM	#21
Lee29coupe Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: Yorktown, Va. Posts: 29	Re: Gas Gauge float Remove old float through filler hole with whatever can grab it, pull it all out. Get something that floats and put it on float arm anyway you can like copper wire, tie straps, aircraft safety wire, anything that can stand gas. Put two gallons in tank and use pliers or something like that to bend wire so gauge shows close to empty, wine corks, old carb floats, or any sealed fuel proof thing will work, fishing float??? Drill hole thru corks too slip on float wire. Remember this “is rocket science” so use brain and imagination, if it floats and fuel poof it will work. As long as you know your low level/empty position who cares how.

11-07-2022, 09:39 PM	#22
Tom Endy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 3,131	Re: Gas Gauge float The attached document has information about the brass float. https://www.santaanitaas.org/wp-cont...uge-Repair.pdf Tom Endy

11-11-2022, 11:05 PM	#23
Shelbycsx Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 122	Re: Gas Gauge float I just did mine had the same issue I cut the float. I want to know why they make them so long and mine didn't come with a brass washer.

11-12-2022, 12:41 AM	#24
redmodelt Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portland OR Posts: 6,342	Re: Gas Gauge float The modern material floats have been too long as long as I have been working with them. I just notch then solder a washer in place to hold it. If you need to replace at some point, you will not have to deal with the flattened end, again. __________________ I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!

11-12-2022, 01:31 PM	#25
JayJay Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 1,077	Re: Gas Gauge float So after I put the new float on (see #6 above) I noticed that the gauge would stick at 3/4 no matter how much fuel I put into it. Once it got down a bit it performed OK. So I removed the filler neck screen and now it works properly. I think the brass float is a bit larger diameter than the original cork or replacement neoprene, but I would not have expected the fit with the screen to be that close. The gauge never worked at all with the old cork float so I can't compare. But it works now. JayJay __________________ JayJay San Francisco Bay Area ------------------------ 1930 Murray Town Sedan 1931 Briggs S/W Town Sedan

11-12-2022, 07:42 PM	#26
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: Gas Gauge float Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Maybe the gauge wire needs to be bent horizontally.

11-13-2022, 10:41 PM	#28
Herb Concord Ca Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Concord CA Posts: 637	Re: Gas Gauge float When I did my roadster P/U, the fuel gauge wire was mis formed by the previous owner, Somewhere on this site I got the dimensions to bend the wire, worked like a champ.