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Old 06-21-2019, 01:52 PM   #1
HalcyonDays
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Default Fuel Gauge

Are there any tricks to removing a stuck on fuel gauge?
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Old 06-21-2019, 02:10 PM   #2
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Are you using the correct tools? I'm ask because after the outside and inside nuts are removed there's really nothing much to hold it on. The old cork seal should come off pretty easy.
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Old 06-21-2019, 02:40 PM   #3
HalcyonDays
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

I do have the correct tools and have taken a few off. This one is really stuck and looks like it has been on for a long time. The tools I have are made out of aluminum and are slipping off, but they work fine on another car I have. I am thinking the gas may have turned to shellac, hoping for some solvent tha would help loosen it up.
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Old 06-21-2019, 08:42 PM   #4
Rich in Tucson
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Sounds like you need the steel tools, I was involved in removing one by which we had to use a cheater pipe out the passenger window; I put my weight on the pipe while the owner put his weight on pressing the tool inward so it would not slip. I feared we needed his wife on the driver's running board to counter the torque effect before it finally broke free!
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Old 06-23-2019, 02:03 AM   #5
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

I had one and had to do the same as Rich.
I agree that the steel tools probably will be less likely to slip off.
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Old 06-23-2019, 02:21 AM   #6
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

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[QUOTE=Tom Wesenberg;
I agree that the steel tools probably will be less likely to slip off.[/QUOTE]

Agreed here too. Those aluminium ones sold by the vendors are of poor quality.
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Old 06-23-2019, 10:04 AM   #7
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Quote:
Originally Posted by HalcyonDays View Post
I do have the correct tools and have taken a few off. This one is really stuck and looks like it has been on for a long time. The tools I have are made out of aluminum and are slipping off, but they work fine on another car I have. I am thinking the gas may have turned to shellac, hoping for some solvent tha would help loosen it up.
I would try a heat gun to see if you can soften the old gas varnish that is probably still king the outer nut. At the point you don’t care about the inner. Just the outer. I use an original 5z gas gauge wrench and it fits perfectly and makes the job easier. The steel repro units probably do fit better in lieu of the 5z tool.
You can try a little penetrant around the nut but I still think a heat gun with a little light heat will help.

Larry shepard
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Old 06-23-2019, 07:32 PM   #8
BILL WILLIAMSON
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

I had 2 repop guages with plastic lens. They turned brown & stuck the guages. Bought 2 kits with glass lens & problem solved!
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Old 06-23-2019, 09:38 PM   #9
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

The new aluminium ones are useless. Too big.
http://jmodela.coffeecup.com/fixgasgauge.html
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Old 06-24-2019, 08:34 AM   #10
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

No one mentions why the new tools are made of aluminum. Fire safety. I've used them to repair the gauges on both my As and they worked fine,
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Old 06-24-2019, 12:19 PM   #11
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Have you tried.....
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Old 06-24-2019, 12:33 PM   #12
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

I have the aluminum tools. The problem with them is that they are cast aluminum and the corners are too rounded. I had modify mine by using a Dremel Tool to make the corners a bit sharper and deeper to make sure that it seated properly on the outer nut. After I did that, it works fine, every time.
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Old 06-24-2019, 01:00 PM   #13
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Quote:
Originally Posted by MickeyT View Post
No one mentions why the new tools are made of aluminum. Fire safety. I've used them to repair the gauges on both my As and they worked fine,
The Originals from Ford were Steel.. Steel on Brass..
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Old 06-24-2019, 06:41 PM   #14
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Which do you think cost more in Ford's day. Would explain his choice.
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Old 06-25-2019, 03:17 AM   #15
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

See how the aluminium one slopes outwards:
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/i...ize/A_9300.jpg

"A well made cast aluminum heat treated tool set for the Model A gas gauge. Will not damage the chrome nuts."

Supposedly. After the corners were rounded off the nut, the petrol tank cleanout man used one of these, it altered the Art Deco look somewhat.
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Old 06-25-2019, 12:09 PM   #16
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Quote:
Originally Posted by MickeyT View Post
No one mentions why the new tools are made of aluminum. Fire safety. I've used them to repair the gauges on both my As and they worked fine,

It is much less expensive to cast them in aluminum than to machine them from steel. Because they are cast, the inside corners of the tool for the outer nut are rounded causing the tool to not fully seat around the nut. I used a Dremel Tool to make the corners sharper so that the tool will seat better onto the nut, therefore giving a better grip for turning. After doing this, I've never had a problem with the tool.
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Old 06-25-2019, 08:32 PM   #17
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Default Re: Fuel Gauge

Thank you all for the suggestions. I did end up ordering a steel tool which arrived today. I had sprayed some penatrating oil on the gauge and let it sit over the weekend. Today when the steel tool arrived the nut turned without the wrench slipping off. On to the next project.
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