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Fuel Tank Sending Unit Float

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Hondo Hernandez

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Appreciate some advice on least expensive method of replacing the float on the fuel sending unit. Sending unit seems to work fine but float leaks. This may be duplicate post. Thanks in advance.
Hondo 62 BT7
 
Hi Hondo,
First find the leak. Warm the float sufficiently to evaporate any fuel inside. Let it cool. Submerge the float in hot water & look for bubbles. If it is a plastic float, patch with JB Weld. If it is a brass float, patch with solder.
D
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hi Hondo,
First find the leak. Warm the float sufficiently to evaporate any fuel inside. Let it cool. Submerge the float in hot water & look for bubbles. If it is a plastic float, patch with JB Weld. If it is a brass float, patch with solder.
D

[/ QUOTE ]
Just go easy on the solder; you can turn a "float" into a "sink" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Years ago, when I was working at Austin-Healey West in San Francisco, our radiator repair shop guy would also solder up the leaking floats for us. There was a bit of a learning curve involved, as the first few he did wouldn't have floated in the Great Salt Lake!
 
Your radiator guy must have put on quite a glob of solder to turn it into a sinker!
 
Later BMC sending units used plastic floats that snapped into a wire ring formed at the end of the float arm. Perhaps you could find a float from a car like an MGB that could be adapted to your sending unit. If you're REAL industrious, you could form your own float by rolling brass shim stock into a cylinder forming end caps and soldering the assembly together. It's a lot of work but would be very rewarding in the end.
 
I believe that closed-cell fuel-proof foam exists and have always thought it would be great if someone made floats (both for carbs and fuel tanks) filled with it so that in the event of a pin-hole or crack the float would continue to...float.

In exchange for public recognition of the brilliance of my idea I hereby relinquish all rights to this concept and any interprising lister is free to make his fortune by producing this product.
 
I think you are a little late. Foam float compounds were tried earlier with mixed success. With the crap that is put in modern fuels, foam floats have had a hard time surviving. "Nitrophyl", closed cell Nitrile rubber floats Have been around for some time now & appear to be able to withstand modern fuel concoctions.
D
 
Forget it Michael, the wine producers are now making their corks out of closed cell foam. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif Anybody need floats??---Keoke- /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

These will work Dave fixed brake clyn reservoirs on Jags with them great.
 
I'll take a case, What vintage? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thirsty.gif
 
Now you're talkin' I get one or two of these almost every evening - now if I can just remember to keep them . Thanks, this is a great forum..... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
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It looks like it is made of tin. there are many holes maybe i can find another type float then solder it to the rod....... Thanks Hondo

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dklawson= Your radiator guy must have put on quite a glob of solder to turn it into a sinker!

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Now do you get the picture?
 
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