Wing tank sealant

[Justin_Iida]

Hey all,

I purchased a bc12 about a year ago and have been unable to use the wing tank. At some point, somebody has put some type of sealant in the wing tank, which has started to peel and flake off. Is there a good way to clean this out without removing the tank? Also, my cork fuel float has become fuel logged. Has anyone resealed their cork float? If so, what product did you use?

Justin

[Hank Jarrett]

Lots of people have tried lots of sealants for the fuel float. I got into the habit of REMOVING the cap and wire/float after landing and replacing it with a regular cap I painted bright red. I place the fuel cap and wire on top of the cowl in the hangar and the float has plenty of time to dry out again. The un-vented cap is also nice when I have to tie down if it rains since water can't get into the cap and contaminate the fuel. I started to do it while trying to figure out how to seal the float but it works so well I just kept doing it. Since the cowl is Maroon on the 42 I am going to put a ribbon on the cap so it stands out more. Kind of embarrassing to take off with the wrong cap on the front tank!

[Scott]

Depending on what was used as a sealant, the only hope would be to fill the tank with Mek or other severe solvent. Over the course of time, likely weeks, it may desolve the sealant enough that you can get it out. Maybe enough to use a proper sloshing compound.

Whatever you put in the tank is going to leak out so at the very least you'll need to open the lower fabric.

Given you're into fabric repairs anyway, the most practical and best solution is to remove the tank and either fix it properly, or replace it.
????S

[Mark Bowden]

Justin,

Here is a link to Rob's tank removal on his website.

https://www.taylorcraft.org.uk/how_to_replace_a_wing_tank.htm

Also this float from antique autos might be a good cork replacement.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=979370&cat=41706

You might have to trim it to get the same bouyancy.

Mark

[braol]

I have used the Model A float in my '31 Ford and it works perfectly. It shouldn't have to be trimmed. By the way: If you want a fancy interior upgrade, the window crank handle from a 1931 Lincoln Model K automobile is a direct replacement for the elevator trim crank...

[lfries]

I use two of the floats

[Jim Herpst]

I have used the Model A float in my '31 Ford and it works perfectly. It shouldn't have to be trimmed. By the way: If you want a fancy interior upgrade, the window crank handle from a 1931 Lincoln Model K automobile is a direct replacement for the elevator trim crank...

Do you know where to obtain this?

[braol]

Do you know where to obtain this?

The floats can be found on any Model A parts website. You're on your own with the Lincoln window crank. They didn't build many of those cars, so you'd have to check classic car swaps and such.

[Jim Herpst]

Sorry for the thread drift

The floats can be found on any Model A parts website. You're on your own with the Lincoln window crank. They didn't build many of those cars, so you'd have to check classic car swaps and such.

Ya the floats are on the model A site. Also the trim crank handle mentioned here before and this post further up. . A Model A window crank handle is a perfect replacement and looks like the original (perhaps is?) Any really nice...and very available

[astjp2]

Just get a univair one for a j3, legit part and easy to just install.