Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Roger-hatchy]

I need to change, and re-position, my fuel gauge sender unit.
All the gaskets I see on websites are cork.

Is cork impervious to unleaded fuel ?

The gasket on the original unit was rubber and supposed to be fit for unleaded but has gone sticky.

The sender unit was mounted on top of the tank but will now be on the side of the tank so the plate will be in contact with the petrol most of the time instead of just splashed.

I don't wish to fit and then find it leak's.

If not can we get a compatible gasket material that I could make a new gasket ?
or a sealing compound to coat the gasket ?




Reason for moving the sender ? you may ask

When I re-built the car in 2009 I fitted a fuel gauge and the sender was fitted on top of the tank.

This meant the tank had to be lower than original to clear the contacts.
I have since realised the tank is supposed to support the body behind the cockpit.

The main problem is to enter and exit the car one tends to sit on the body behind the drivers seat and this can lead to a bum shaped dent in the body. seeing as the car is off road for a while I have decided to remedy this, two options, 1. loose weight, or, 2, put the tank back were it should be.
Number 2 will be a lot easier.

Roger

[ukdave2002]

Hi Roger

It's not unleaded fuel that has been the topic of recent concern regarding suitability of materials in the fuel system, but the increasing addition of Ethanol.

Ethanol can disolve certain materials; basically it's virtualy neat alcohol and acts like a solvent in the same way that spilling thinners on some plastics will damage them. As cork has been used as a stopper in bottles containing alcohol for years without problem I would think it ok, the "rubber" type materials will need to be ethonal / alcohol resistant.

Cheers

Dave

[Roger-hatchy]

I need more whisky

Thanks Dave.
Funny how things staring one in the face are missed.

Right off to the garage to make some gaskets.