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05-13-2013, 05:07 PM | #1 |
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Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Hi, I am trying to remove a very stubborn 28 gas tank filler screen. I was wondering if anyone has a procedure/tool that works. This an original 28 car that has been sitting for the last 50 years. I am trying to be careful not to damage any of the original paint. Any help would be very much appreciated.
Thanks Jim |
05-13-2013, 06:19 PM | #2 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I have just removed a very stubborn one from a '29 Coupe. Get the tool from Brattons. It has four tabs which fit into the slots on the rim of the screen. Before trying to unscrew, soak some Kroil around the outer edge of the top rim. Let it work in for 20 minutes or so then screw the screen out. If its still stuck try, try again. It'll come out.
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05-13-2013, 06:53 PM | #3 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I had the same problem on my 28 roadster. When I tried to remove it with the tool from Brattons it wouldn’t budge. Then I decided to turn it in the opposite direction (tighten) and suddenly it moved. After it broke loose it turned easily and I was able to remove it with no problem. May work for you.
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05-13-2013, 07:24 PM | #4 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Filler screen? I got no filler screen....
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05-13-2013, 07:28 PM | #5 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
It is called a spark arrestor. Some screw in and have 4 slots that can be used to remove it with the tool. Some are just dropped in and hang there but can get rusted till they are hard to remove.
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05-13-2013, 07:48 PM | #6 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
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Thanks again. Jim |
05-13-2013, 11:02 PM | #7 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
The tool from Bratton's has a square hole in its center for a 3/8" ratchet or extension. Works best with the shortest extension you can find that gets you above the rim of the filler neck. I concur with the use of Kroil but carb cleaner or brake cleaner (careful if you care about the paint on the cowl) may help with varnish followed by Kroil and tightening before loosening.
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05-13-2013, 11:28 PM | #8 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Two types; early cars and late cars had screw in types, and in the middle there are tabs that fit into slots on the top of the tank.
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05-13-2013, 11:40 PM | #9 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Not to ask a dumb question (not hard for me to do). But if Henry wanted the "spark arrestor" in the fuel tank, on removal why aren't they replaced with a new ones or reconditioned if serviceable.
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05-14-2013, 01:49 AM | #10 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I cleaned and replaced mine. While filling the tank, it does slow the flow, but not too bad.
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05-14-2013, 02:09 AM | #11 | |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Quote:
My guess is that thought it was just a screen to keep out junk and never knew it was a spark/flame arrestor.
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05-14-2013, 08:24 AM | #12 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Hey Midwest Tin,
It just occurred to me that when your gas tank screen comes out it will be pretty rusty and "yucky". I had very good luck by putting the screen in EvapoRust overnight. It cleaned up very well and looks like new. smurph |
05-14-2013, 09:01 AM | #13 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I can't fill up in town any more with a screen in the tank.At a couple of the stations the head pressure at the nozzle is so much that when you pull the trigger gas will shoot up and splash against the bottom of the visor.There is no feathering,the trigger has a hard initial pull,and starts with a big gush.The other stations just click off automaticy,and the ones with the bellows are the worst.When I was in high school I worked at the American station in town,we couldn't fill up A's with the screens back then.The new nozzles were just too sensitive,all you could get was a click and that was it.We had a big funnel we used on the A's and anything with an obstruction in the filler hole.B&G Dispenser,(they sell and service gas pumps)told us that the old problem of static electricity while filling is completely eliminated on modern pumps.He told us also that it was a very real problem with the old pumps,pre-1950 or so.He said there is more chance of a fire from somebody filling a tank with a cell phone in their hand than from the old static electricity problem.
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05-14-2013, 09:31 AM | #14 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I have to agree with Keith True on this one....Most fueling hoses today have a wire imbedded into the rubber of the hose that is bonded at each end fitting that is either threaded into the non-sparking nozzle, and the outlet connection of the pump. The total fueling pump, inclusive of the internal piping are well grounded. Lets look at it this way, do modern type vehicles use flame arrester screens ? Is it possible for a arc to occur from the grounded fueling hose at the immediate instant the nozzle comes in contact with the gas tank connection ?
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05-15-2013, 01:46 PM | #15 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Just can't believe all the great stuff a guy can learn about the A's by reading these posts. My '30 coup doesn’t have the screen, and up to now, I always thought I needed to install one.
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05-15-2013, 02:24 PM | #16 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I had to destructively remove mine. Too much splashing fuel onto the nice cowl paint. Most all stations now have filters on their pump hoses. The fuel may be crap (ethanol) but I think it's clean.
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05-15-2013, 03:29 PM | #17 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
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05-16-2013, 02:04 AM | #18 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
johnsor, that screen is not a strainer/filter. It is a spark arrestor. The idea was that if a spark ignited gas fumes while the cap was off, the screen prevented the fuel inside the tank from igniting. Believe it or not, they actually worked.
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05-16-2013, 11:16 AM | #19 | |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Quote:
We have talked about this before; http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46107 The Blis gas container company shut it doors due to liability suit steming from not having flame resistors on there cans that caused several fires and personal injury. Check the net and you will see several law firms that are asking for cases where an individual has been harmed by exploding gas cans. I like mine in place, do what you want to your car but maybe keep the address of one of the lawyers with you just in case.
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05-16-2013, 01:14 PM | #20 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
One Recent Single Experience Last Week:
"Some" (at least mine), newly advertised gas tank strainers, corrode easily after about a year or so, & form a coating/residue that is gray/white in color looking similar in color to corrosion on battery terminals. (Also small spots of rust). These new strainers are advertised as "28-31 without tabs", with screens looking like shiny aluminum or stainless steel, as opposed to the color of copper or brass. The screen's interior & exterior surfaces acquire a corroded appearance & screen holes get partially clogged with the same type of corrosion which falls out into one's Model A gas tank when one adds gas to the tank. Later one can find that these corrosion particles can clog the shut-off valve to make one's car starve for fuel & even quit running; & corrosion particles can also be found in the sediment bowl. The corrosion & small rust spots can be cleaned off of the interior & exterior of the screen with a small steel or brass brush until one sees shiny metal again. Hope this information helps just in case one has installed a similar new screen lately which can easily corrodes & plug gas lines. |
04-17-2015, 10:57 AM | #21 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
As I am new to the Ford Barn, I was not aware that there are archives out there, and provide a wealth of information.
I just purchased one of those spark arresters for my car, and now I'm going to leave it in the zip lock bag. Thank you all, for this incredible resource.
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04-17-2015, 02:37 PM | #22 | |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Quote:
BTW I wound up using the original gas tank so I still have a real nice 28-29 gas tank. Last edited by pgerhardt; 04-17-2015 at 02:51 PM. |
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04-17-2015, 06:49 PM | #23 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
This "Spark/Flame Arrestor" was one of Henry Fords many Patented Ideas used on the Model A. It's a Safety device to help prevent an Explosion during a accident like in a roll over or severe collision. The repro's that I have seen do not match the originals in the number of holes in them. The repro's restrict fuel flow when refilling the tank. I run the pump nozzle slow with my original one and don't have any problems during filling.
I made a short video of installing the early threaded one into my Model A. It's on youtube. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list...Xkob1gim1DzYHk
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"If I asked people what they wanted they would have said faster horses." -Henry Ford "Primitive technology is not a design flaw" 1928 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup 1930 Gordon Smith Air Compressor 1941 Willy's Pickup 1960 Thunderbird-For Sale 1964 Buick Riviera 2x4 425 1965 Pontiac GTO, 455 Super Duty 2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10, V-10 Viper 1977 Charger Jet Boat,460 Ford,Jacuzzi Jet Front Engine Nostalgia Dragster,Supercharged 296 "Fullrace Flathead" Ford Engine Build up on DVD ask Last edited by Fullraceflathead; 04-18-2015 at 01:37 AM. |
04-18-2015, 12:05 AM | #24 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Me too.
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What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II |
08-30-2016, 03:23 PM | #25 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I have an early 28 (Sept.) and the flame arrester has four notches. I need to remove it to replace fuel float gauge. It will turn but. Can't remove it. Is it threaded? Seems like it should unscrew. It is slightly dented just below to presumably fron gas nozzle. Anybody had this problem or know any tricks to remove it?
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08-30-2016, 11:08 PM | #26 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
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08-30-2016, 11:24 PM | #27 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I have had 2 Model A's totaling over 20 years, and neither had that screen in them when purchased. I certainly have never had an issue with it, nor have I ever heard of a documented case of a fire or explosion caused by it being missing. I agree that the new nozzles in use for many years now pretty much negate the need that was there so many years ago.
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08-30-2016, 11:32 PM | #28 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Mine didn't have one when I bought it, and I have no intention of putting one on it. Don't see the need.
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08-31-2016, 03:16 AM | #29 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Probably yet another Model A legend but there is the story about prospective customers expressing fear the cowl tank would blow up in their faces. The salesmen would remove the gas cap and strike a match over the filler outlet, producing a small flame but no explosion.
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11-14-2016, 09:31 PM | #30 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I have a 28 and the flame arrester turns but won't loosen. I have turned it many rotations while pulling up on it but it doesn't come out. Anybody ever had this problem? It's as if threads are stripped but even then it seems it should come up but something is preventing it. I would like to get it out so can replace gas gauge float. Any suggestions?
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11-14-2016, 09:49 PM | #31 | |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Quote:
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11-16-2016, 10:34 AM | #32 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Doesn't the float rod hit the flame arrester preventing unscrewing it?
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11-16-2016, 11:32 AM | #33 | |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
Quote:
I read once where a salesman was demonstrating the safety of this design when the Model A Ford was new, and held a lit match over the fuel filler neck and there was no explosion or fire. That guy had cahones I couldn't do THAT |
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05-26-2022, 02:04 PM | #34 |
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Re: Removing Gas Tank Filler Screen
I have two 1929 Model "A" Fords. One has the "screw in style' and is easy to remove-unscrew. The other car is evidently not the screw in type. I can "spin' the filter around to the right and left with no problem. But I can not pull it out with fingers pressed against the filter screen sides. It will move upward ever so little but something is preventing it from being removed. There is a 'metal' sound when attempting to 'pull' it out past the easy spin area. Very annoying!!! Any thoughts???
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