Gas gauge replacement Q/help.

[hardtimes]

I’m TRYING to remove the outer and inner nuts.
Whom ever messed with this unit previously…. really got carried away, by putting some type of sealant behind the big outer nut. This sealant is black colored. Some was squeezed out from behind nut when it was tightened ! Proper gaskets were used… so WHY the sealant… is anyone’s guess.

What result is that the outer nut cannot be removed… with special wrench (steel and/ or alum).

Im hoping that some of you guys have encountered such problem. I need helpful suggestions / solution to this dilemma… before I destroy this gauge.
NOTE:
Since sealant is black colored, it may be hardening type blk permatex !!

[GeneBob]

Can you press your thumbnail into the sealant? If you can, it could be the non-hardening type of sealant like silicone or another rubber. If you cannot, it could be the hard Permatex or (heaven forbid) Indian Head gasket sealer.
You should be able to cut the rubber type sealant with a razor blade. If it is the hardened sealant, you may be able to chip it off or break it with a sharp smack with a small hammer and a drift.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by GeneBob

Can you press your thumbnail into the sealant? If you can, it could be the non-hardening type of sealant like silicone or another rubber. If you cannot, it could be the hard Permatex or (heaven forbid) Indian Head gasket sealer.
You should be able to cut the rubber type sealant with a razor blade. If it is the hardened sealant, you may be able to chip it off or break it with a sharp smack with a small hammer and a drift.

This IS hard stuff, whatever it is. I guessed permatex… because of color.

Situation:
The cork float has become saturated … and sunk to bottom of tank. That’s why I’m attempting to dismantle gas gauge!

[henry's 31]

I had a friend weld a rod about 28 inches long to the tool. This gave me more torque and was able to remove the original gauge from my Roadster. Many in my Club have borrowed the tool and successfully taken the rings off. Hope this helps.

[jayvee34]

Don't know if this will work for you, but might be worth trying. I used a solvent called
"GOOF OFF" to soften hard sealants after spraying it on several times. It is mainly for
removing decals, etc. It softens them and de-solves the glue behind them.

[Mister Moose]

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"Goof-off" is mainly zylol.

Have you taken off the instrument panel? You get better grip on the wrench.

IIRC, the inner nut only holds the sight glass in the gauge. The outer will remove the gauge from the tank.

Another idea if nothing else is working would be to weld a 1/2" drive socket dead center in the tool. Then use a decent air impact wrench to rap it both forward and back a few times until it spins off. When I've done this in other places and I didn't want to shear the bolt, I start off at 50 lbs pressure, try it, then 60, then 70, and on up to 90 or 100. Many times it spins off at 70 or so, and I don't shear it off. The gauge is replaceable, so you don't have to be upset if it gets beat up in the process of removing it.

Or, find a 1/2" dowel, cut it to 18 inches, and dip it in the tank.

There's threads here on cork floats, plastic floats, brass floats, calibration, and how to uncrimp and re-crimp the end of the gauge rod.

[Y-Blockhead]

Sometimes they are really on there Bratton's has a "Gas Gauge Wrench Holder" to hold the steel wrench in place while putting some muscle to it. It really does help.
https://www.brattons.com/gas-gauge-wrench-holder.html

Use with this wrench.
https://www.brattons.com/gas-gauge-tool.html

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by henry's 31

I had a friend weld a rod about 28 inches long to the tool. This gave me more torque and was able to remove the original gauge from my Roadster. Many in my Club have borrowed the tool and successfully taken the rings off. Hope this helps.

Hey Henry,
Great idea !
Leverage is a solution in some cases. This may be one such case !
Thanks !
Would you be able to show a pic of that tool ?

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by jayvee34

Don't know if this will work for you, but might be worth trying. I used a solvent called
"GOOF OFF" to soften hard sealants after spraying it on several times. It is mainly for
removing decals, etc. It softens them and de-solves the glue behind them.

Hey JAY,
Im familiar with GOOF OFF, have couple cans. Will consider using it for sure !
Hope it doesnt lift paint ?

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

"Goof-off" is mainly zylol.

Have you taken off the instrument panel? You get better grip on the wrench.

IIRC, the inner nut only holds the sight glass in the gauge. The outer will remove the gauge from the tank.

Another idea if nothing else is working would be to weld a 1/2" drive socket dead center in the tool. Then use a decent air impact wrench to rap it both forward and back a few times until it spins off. When I've done this in other places and I didn't want to shear the bolt, I start off at 50 lbs pressure, try it, then 60, then 70, and on up to 90 or 100. Many times it spins off at 70 or so, and I don't shear it off. The gauge is replaceable, so you don't have to be upset if it gets beat up in the process of removing it.

Or, find a 1/2" dowel, cut it to 18 inches, and dip it in the tank.

There's threads here on cork floats, plastic floats, brass floats, calibration, and how to uncrimp and re-crimp the end of the gauge rod.

Hey Moose,
Some good info/thots, thanks !
Yes… have the panel off.
Cannot picture your air impact wrench setup ?
I am aware that gas gauge is avail new as a unit. May need that, hope not.
I have replaced gas gauges and bad floats. I like to solder tillotson brass float to rod.
Not worried. Just dont want to destroy stuff…. caveman will come out, if all else fails.. ha !

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Sometimes they are really on there Bratton's has a "Gas Gauge Wrench Holder" to hold the steel wrench in place while putting some muscle to it. It really does help.
https://www.brattons.com/gas-gauge-wrench-holder.html

Use with this wrench.
https://www.brattons.com/gas-gauge-tool.html

Wow, another great idea…. out of necessity this tool may help prevent destruction, as my wrench keeps slipping off nut !

I believe that a combination of you guys ideas will get the job done… thanks to all !
Ill let you know outcome.
SO, I take it that using torch may be BAD idea…ha !

[Mister Moose]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Hey Moose,
Cannot picture your air impact wrench setup ?

If you weld a large socket to the wrench as shown in red, you can use an impact wrench. The open end of the socket is welded on center on the outer ring, and the drive end goes to the impact wrench. That gets you the vibratory method.

If you go the leverage method, you could try the wrench holder idea, and find a pipe that would slip over the handle of the gauge wrench

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

If you weld a large socket to the wrench as shown in red, you can use an impact wrench. The open end of the socket is welded on center on the outer ring, and the drive end goes to the impact wrench. That gets you the vibratory method.

If you go the leverage method, you could try the wrench holder idea, and find a pipe that would slip over the handle of the gauge wrench

GOT IT !
Thanks for your help !
Like your socket idea. A 1/2” breaker bar can then be used !

[Mister Moose]

I just measured the tool - the OD is 2 1/4", so that's going to be a big socket. The biggest I have is 1 1/2", and that was a little too small. I can see the wall thickness on those large sockets will be a factor, and may need some grinding on the internal hex to clear the points of the 10 point gas ring.

The pipe on handle method might be easier, and you might need to take a cut-off wheel to the handle as it is tapered and make it more parallel for the pipe to slide on and grip good enough, but you won't get the vibratory benefit of an impact wrench. Tell us how it turns out....

Good luck!

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by Mister Moose

I just measured the tool - the OD is 2 1/4", so that's going to be a big socket. The biggest I have is 1 1/2", and that was a little too small. I can see the wall thickness on those large sockets will be a factor, and may need some grinding on the internal hex to clear the points of the 10 point gas ring.

The pipe on handle method might be easier, and you might need to take a cut-off wheel to the handle as it is tapered and make it more parallel for the pipe to slide on and grip good enough, but you won't get the vibratory benefit of an impact wrench. Tell us how it turns out....

Good luck!

THANKS !
This helps with some similar questions that I had.
I’ll start with the handle ext and add your suggestions. First will try to soften up whatever the “sealer” was/is.
I remember long time back, about using varnish and/ or Indian head ‘glue’…. to seal / prevent possible gas leaks.
Hopefully ‘goof off’ will help with that.
Ill let you know how it goes.

[henry's 31]

Hi Hardtime:


I am having all kind of problems loading photos to this site. if you send me your email (pm if you like) I will email it as an attachment until I can figure the photos in this site.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by henry's 31

Hi Hardtime:


I am having all kind of problems loading photos to this site. if you send me your email (pm if you like) I will email it as an attachment until I can figure the photos in this site.

Hey Henry,
PM… Done !

[Tom Wesenberg]

I've had to use a pipe on the tool handle for more leverage a couple times.
I've also sprayed some penetrant onto the glass to help break the bond.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by henry's 31

Hi Hardtime:


I am having all kind of problems loading photos to this site. if you send me your email (pm if you like) I will email it as an attachment until I can figure the photos in this site.

I dont have a welder, but ‘skinned the cat’ slightly different. If photo comes thru, I used pipe from junk pile. Pop riveted. It worked great !

Note: The guy who cemented my gas gauge… used hardening permatex AND plummer sealant. What the heck ?

Anyone think of a reason why someone would use such on a gas gauge ??

[updraught]

Originally Posted by hardtimes

Anyone think of a reason why someone would use such on a gas gauge ??

Because it leaked on the last one he did.
He didn't want to wipe out another family as it was a small town.