Fuel Gauge Cork-- Bad Idea

[larrysmith1016]

This float will never get saturated with fuel. Go to the Ford dealer's parts window and buy 2 of them for $10. They're brass floats with grooves around the circumference. Share the other one with a friend who has a Taylorcraft.

Part no. is COAZ/9202/B.

Same size as the cork float and that groove let's you wrap the wire around it. I have been using one for 15 years and it hasn't ever sunk yet.

I saw one on a Cub in Louisiana and stole the idea from the owner. He had his 25 years, trouble-free, he said.

[VictorBravo]

Re: Fuel Gauge Cork-- Bad Idea

A friend of mine in our EAA chapter silver soldered a brass carburetor float to a stainless wire for me. Works great. I recommend this type as well.

[fearofpavement]

Re: Fuel Gauge Cork-- Bad Idea

We use two ping pong balls shishkebab style on the wire sealed with JB Weld. Whatever they are made of seems to be impervious to fuel. (cheap too!)

[fearofpavement]

Re: Fuel Gauge Cork-- Bad Idea

I should have mentioned to be sure to only use FAA/PMA ping pong balls as the ones from WalMart don't have the proper documentation.

[larrysmith1016]

Re: Fuel Gauge Cork-- Bad Idea

Yep, xlnt ideas, j-beed pingpongs and a brass float with silver solder. With the Ford float, which is the fuel sensor mechanism float in the Ford gas tank, you don't have to glue, epoxy, or solder. Made in the USA. Just wrap the wire around the float and bend it so that it's with the center of the float's longitudinal axis and PRESTO! Equal to or better.

[mulwyk]

Re: Fuel Gauge Cork-- Bad Idea

I used the Snyder Antique Auto Parts float. Details here. And they're FAA approved.

Bob Gustafson

[NY86]

Re: Fuel Gauge Cork-- (Not such a) Bad Idea

I have epoxy coated floats 1 1/4" diameter, 2" long with a 1/8" hole drilled lengthwise for $2.00 if you want to stay "original".