Fuel float

[r webster]

I am interested in getting a new float for my 1941 BC12. Can anyone help?

The one I have has been droped and some of the coating on the float is missing. Perhaps it could be recoated. Does anyone have information on what material to use to recoat the float?

[paulp]

Re: Fuel float

Howdy Ron,

A new float and stem are an easy fix. A major sportng goods store will have a solid cork float(don't use one that is composed of cork pieces pressed and glued together!) Then go to your local hardware store and get a piece of piano wire-stainless or brass and a small can of Spar marine varnish. Build a new rod(or use your old one) and DIP the new cork in the varnish and let it dry. I recommend at lease two coats.

Somewhere on this forum this was discussed but time and age won't let me remember when.

Good luck

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel float

Paul,

Please let me know where you can get stainless steel music/piano wire. The only place who carries music wire is the local hobby store, and it is not stainless. The longest length of any wire I can find .093 (3/32") is ten inches long in stainless. I need an approximately twenty inch long piece. Also, my float looks like a synthetic material (black). Any idea where that came from? Thanks!

[TimHicks]

Re: Fuel float

I've tried two coating that I've proven do NOT work. One was "Hot Fuel-Proof Dope" It's not as fuel-proof as you might imagine.

The other was JB-Weld which is a two part epoxy. I thought that stuff would stand up to anything. It lasted about a year. But it started to detach itself from the cork to form a small bubble. I then peeled it off of the cork in big pieces. None got in the fuel. But I was dissapointed.

Since then (about 4 years ago) I've used no coating at all.
Tim

[selje]

Re: Fuel float

Hot Fuel Dope from a hobby shop has worked well for me.

[Robert Lees]

Re: Fuel float

For stainless wire, try your local ham-radio sources...those long, thin whip aerials work just fine!

[VictorBravo]

Re: Fuel float

A frriend of mine made me up a new float for me, using a brass float from an automotive carburetor. He soldered a piece of stainless wire through the center. There is no cork and no coatings. Should last forever. Very easy to check on a pre-flight, just shake it next to your ear. If there is any fuel splashing around in it, then it has sprung a leak and must be repaired. If there is no fuel inside it, then you're good to go.

PS: Any hobby shop that doesn't have music wire ain't no hobby shop

[gnflyn]

Re: Fuel float

I found stainless steel welding rod that was just the right size (3/32" I think) at the local Arcet welding shop. Also, a hollow brass float is indeed the ticket.

[paulp]

Re: Fuel float

Howdy Ron,

Try Aircraft Central Equipment(ACE) They should have what you need. I still recommend 2 coats of Spar marine Varnish. I always check my float when I fuel my acft.

[jgerard]

Re: Fuel float

I too used stainless welding rod to make a new rod for my float

Jason
N43643

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel float

I'm not that knowledgeable about welding to know I could use the stainless welding rod. I saw it advertised in the right size, but thought it had only one use....welding. I took Rob's advice and went by the local radio shop and got a stainless antenna. Should work fine. Be aware most hobby shop music wire is NOT stainless, just regular carbon steel and will rust fairly quickly. Any thoughts on what kind of float I have? It looks synthetic and colored a greyish to black. Thanks.

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel float

Paul Patterson,

Do you have info for Aircraft Central Equipment? Couldn't locate them....

[paulp]

Re: Fuel float

Howdy Marty,

Look in the white pages under ACE.

Almost forgot, you can also use brass but be sure it is BRASS and not the coated low grade carbon steel.

[WLT]

Re: Fuel float

NAPA has the SS steel wire(welding rod).