Fuel Tank Float Sealer

[mikerice]

I have a cork float for the "fuel gauge" in the 12 gal main tank.

What is the proper material to coat the cork material to keep it buoyant in the fuel?

I had heard shellac, but I am not sure. Our float needs a little TLC and I don't want to use the wrong finish material.

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

shellac is correct, just don't us too much and sink it. A couple coats is fine.

[lfries]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Clear Model Airplane Dope has worked for me pushing 15 years now.

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Mike,

Synthetic float material works great and never seems to break down. It was on my first BC-12D and I just got done redoing mine on this plane. I got it from Snyder's Antique Auto Parts. I use two of them together. Link: http://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/2450

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Be VERY careful using Shellac on your float. Seems to be fine with Gasoline, but alcohol is a solvent for Shellac. If you ever get some alcohol laced fuel by accident it can dissolve the shellac and let it get into the passages in your carb. Talk about a mess to clean up......IF you get down safely!
I used a thin coat of e-Poxy on mine, but the synthetic float sounds like a better solution.
Hank

[mikerice]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Thanks for all the good replies. Marty-I did not know about the synthetic material- that sounds like a good idea. Hank-as for the shellac, I agree that alcohol/ethanol is not good for it, but the majority of the planes out there are probably using shellac, because that is what came from the factory. I have shellac on my float now, but the coating is eroded on the bottom 1/2 inch of the float- maybe it got some auto gas contact in the past?

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Mike,

I recently had the chance to visit my old plane and look at the float from my first Taylorcraft that I bought in 2004. I don't know how old it was prior to that but it was perfect, no deterioration whatsoever. I used 100ll and autogas in it just fine. That one was one piece, but two of the floats I posted the link are the same length when put together. You then have nothing to worry about. I ran across this build article when looking for the Snyder Automotive link and it is one way to put together a float setup: http://taylorcraftproject.blogspot.c...uel-gauge.html

[woodmw]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

For as long as I can remember, we have 'fuel-proofed' the engine compartment of RC model airplanes with thinned epoxy. Mix a batch of the glue, thin it with alcohol 10-15%, and paint it on. Alcohol evaporates, epoxy hardens, and you get a good hard shell. Kind of like M&M's.

[Carl E. Carson]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

For as long as I can remember, we have 'fuel-proofed' the engine compartment of RC model airplanes with thinned epoxy. Mix a batch of the glue, thin it with alcohol 10-15%, and paint it on. Alcohol evaporates, epoxy hardens, and you get a good hard shell. Kind of like M&M's.

I haven't tried this yet but I think it would work fine. I recently had to replace the fuel pump in my airport car, a 2000 Blazer. There is a synthetic float for the pump that may work. It is on the small side but two put together would surely work. I talked to my mechanic about this and he said he replaces them regularly, even went to his trash barrel and picked out another one to give me. Another item to recycle.

Carl

[M Towsley]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

I tried to find some to recycle but they were of a strange design that didn't lend themselves to the gas tank float. They were more flat and larger than the round ones. Whatever works, but the synthetic does work.

[astjp2]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

When it comes to a cork float, now LISTEN CAREFULLY! Gently remove it from the tank, cautiously walk across the hanger towards the bench, dellicately grab a big sledge hammer, then HIT that cork as hard as you can...once your heart stopps racing, call univair and get a composite one for a J3 cub. When the cork one sinks because it fails, it is scary enough to have to clean out your shorts. I went through 5 of them from Wag, I epoxied them, shellac, prosealed, nothing worked. Never had a problem with a Univair one. Tim

[mikerice]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

I decided to go with a synthetic float. I see ethanol-laced autogas in the distant future for all of us. I know we have seen autogas in our bird in the past. Sounds like it is time to do an owner built part, and upgrade the cork. Thanks for all the recommendations.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Tim,
I couldn't find a Cub float but their on line cat. ( http://univairparts.com/shopping/index.php ) listed this one.
[415-48057-1]ERCOUPE FUEL GAGE FLOAT
Is that the same one?
Hank

[astjp2]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

Hank, I don't know if it is or not, but the cub one is marked "12 gallons, gas" and is the correct lenght. I got mine at Oshkosh, and my customers would just call to get one ordered. Tim

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Fuel Tank Float Sealer

I tried to order one the other day and they said that they couldn't sell the cub one by itself anymore it came as an assembly, but that the eurcoupe one was the same thing. I ordered the eurcoupe one and modified my fuel "guage". It immediately sank. Whats odd is that it floats in water, but sinks in gas. Kind of a fun experiment but somewhat disappointing results. I got the old cork all cleaned up and then sealed it with T88 that was thinned with alcohol. I'm going to put that in a cup of gas for a week to see how it goes....

Any other suggestions?