Repairing a fuel gauge float? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Martin64 · 11-02-2003, 02:52 AM

Has anyone sucessfully soldered their gas gauge float? I had mine out today and found a couple small breaks that I'm hoping I could have soldered up...it may be worth the $5.00 to just buy a new one though.

lukecp · 11-02-2003, 02:58 AM

Keep in mind that if you solder it....there was gas in it....so there is a fire hazard, lol. I suppose if you washed it real good you could solder it with good results. I'm lazy and would proaly buy a new one though

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-02-2003, 02:59 AM

I've soldered a couple of them and it worked ok, but it was kind of a pain.

cdowns · 11-02-2003, 11:07 AM

some people have had good luck using gastank sealer to coat the float

Martin64 · 11-02-2003, 11:35 AM

Thanks folks......

Bill72BB · 11-02-2003, 01:03 PM

I soldered a couple when I was younger ,can't run that fast anymore as they tend to take off like a small brass rocket.

Southpa · 11-02-2003, 04:24 PM

JB Weld did the trick for me. Let it drain and dry for a day, scuff the areas you need to fix with sandpaper and lay it on. I made this repair about 7 yrs ago and still haven't had any problems.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 11-02-2003, 08:04 PM

I have soldered them before and it works ok. Outside of the obvious fire hazard I have had some that were "brittle" and would keep breaking. If you run into one of those, toss it as it will not last.

Jim

Suicide-D · 11-02-2003, 10:24 PM

i did the JB weld thing last week... it's still holding

cableguy0 · 11-02-2003, 10:31 PM

just buy a new one and be done with they dont cost that much and all you gotta do is miss one pin hole and you gotta tear it all apart again put a new one in and be done for another 30 years

Suicide-D · 11-02-2003, 10:36 PM

yeah I'm ordering a new one... the jb weld was to buy me some time.

**smitty62** · 11-03-2003, 12:33 AM

Any weight added such as solder and JB weld will lower the float level--you'll need to adjust.

11-02-2003, 02:52 AM	#1
Martin64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yuma, Az Posts: 477	Repairing a fuel gauge float? Has anyone sucessfully soldered their gas gauge float? I had mine out today and found a couple small breaks that I'm hoping I could have soldered up...it may be worth the $5.00 to just buy a new one though. __________________ Martin Gibson USAF Retired 1964(-ish) C10

11-02-2003, 02:58 AM	#2
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	Keep in mind that if you solder it....there was gas in it....so there is a fire hazard, lol. I suppose if you washed it real good you could solder it with good results. I'm lazy and would proaly buy a new one though __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

11-02-2003, 02:59 AM	#3
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	I've soldered a couple of them and it worked ok, but it was kind of a pain. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-02-2003, 11:07 AM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	some people have had good luck using gastank sealer to coat the float __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-02-2003, 11:35 AM	#5
Martin64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yuma, Az Posts: 477	Thanks folks...... __________________ Martin Gibson USAF Retired 1964(-ish) C10

11-02-2003, 01:03 PM	#6
Bill72BB Thats the Hillbilly way Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Torrance,Ca Posts: 5,979	I soldered a couple when I was younger ,can't run that fast anymore as they tend to take off like a small brass rocket. __________________ BILL Torrance Calif 90504 Member DUF Club Member Old Farts Club 72 3/4ton Custom Camper BB402/400 trans Dynomax Cerama-coat headers , Hei distributor ,Edelbrock 1411 air,ps,pb,leafsprings ,98 chevy 60/40 seat,S10 shoulder belts tilt,3.54 Dana 60 rear. 16" Eagle wheels with LT265/75 16 tires,Gaylord Lid,H4 headlights with 100W relay conversion. " If I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself " Marriage changes passion...suddenly you're in bed with a relative. A GUY'S PRAYER.... Lord, I pray for a nympho with huge boobs who owns a liquor store and likes to fish and hunt and has a Harley .Amen ,

11-02-2003, 04:24 PM	#7
Southpa Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Victoria, BC, Canada Posts: 2,409	JB Weld did the trick for me. Let it drain and dry for a day, scuff the areas you need to fix with sandpaper and lay it on. I made this repair about 7 yrs ago and still haven't had any problems. __________________ 1970 GMC 1500 Custom Original 350/TH350 Victoria, BC, Canada You can wish in one hand and crap in the other. See which one gets filled first.

11-02-2003, 08:04 PM	#8
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	I have soldered them before and it works ok. Outside of the obvious fire hazard I have had some that were "brittle" and would keep breaking. If you run into one of those, toss it as it will not last. Jim

11-02-2003, 10:24 PM	#9
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	i did the JB weld thing last week... it's still holding

11-02-2003, 10:31 PM	#10
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	just buy a new one and be done with they dont cost that much and all you gotta do is miss one pin hole and you gotta tear it all apart again put a new one in and be done for another 30 years __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

11-02-2003, 10:36 PM	#11
Suicide-D Registered User Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Katy, TX...but the love of my life resides in Dublin,OH. Posts: 1,408	yeah I'm ordering a new one... the jb weld was to buy me some time.

11-03-2003, 12:33 AM	#12
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	Any weight added such as solder and JB weld will lower the float level--you'll need to adjust. __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.