Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,481 Threads: 17
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Location: Bala North Wales
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
31-01-2023, 10:34 PM
(This post was last modified: 31-01-2023, 10:36 PM by David Stepney.)
For the last 4 years, I have been using an old champagne cork to replace the metal float on my car's sender unit, which, when removed looked more like colander.
Now, however, the gauge has once again stopped reading correctly, the reason being that the cork has become petrol logged (I didn't know cork would do this!)
Amongst my bit and pieces, I have found a new plastic float from the later type Smiths sender unit which would be an ideal replacement if I can find a way of attaching it to my sender's arm.
Gluing it along the lines of where the original float was soldered to the arm would be the ideal solution, but most glues don't like petrol.
Can anyone think of, or recommend a glue that is petrol resistant?
Joined: Dec 2017 Posts: 1,132 Threads: 66
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Location: Nottinghamshire. Robin Hood County
Car type: Austin Ruby Mk1 1935
Could it be attached with the means of a suitable jubilee clip soldered to the arm then attach the plastic float into the jubilee clip and tighten it up. I suggest the arm is soldered near to the opposite end to that which screw in on the worm.
John Mason
Would you believe it "Her who must be obeyed" refers to my Ruby as the toy.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 529 Threads: 17
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Location: Hampshire UK
Hi
No suggestions for glue, but could you make up a lightweight "cage" out of thin copper wire to go round the float, then solder that to the arm ?
Joined: Jan 2019 Posts: 1,481 Threads: 17
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Location: Bala North Wales
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
31-01-2023, 11:01 PM
(This post was last modified: 31-01-2023, 11:04 PM by David Stepney.)
Thank you for your suggestions so far gentlemen. John, I had thought of making such a cage to support the float (a) to keep it in place during the fixing process and (b) as 'belt and braces' just in case the float came adrift at any point. I imagine that retrieving it should that happen would be a considerable task!
The other John, I quite like the idea of using a jubilee clip. I will think about that one.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 772 Threads: 26
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Location: On a hill in Wiltshire
I bought a brass float from the web, and soldered it on. Was under a tenner, I think.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 532 Threads: 46
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Location: Oakley, Hants, UK
Car type: 1929 AD Tourer, 1930 Rosengart LR2, Rosengart LR4 Van 1938 APE Tourer (Opal)
I have found that a calibrated Stick saves a lot of stress ?
I am always interested in any information about Rosengart details or current owners.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,249 Threads: 33
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Location: Deepest Frogland 30960
Car type: 1933 RP Standard Saloon
I have been using a calibrated length of brass rod for over 30 years. Never failed once.
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Location: Ripon
If you can get a new brass float solder it to the arm, sorted. I'd avoid copper if possible, it seems to suffer more from the ethanol effect...
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My float on the special had been replaced with a small Brasso tin, which might provide another suggestion to the problem. Trouble is most things come in plastic bottles these days.
