Does this tank float look ok? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

freak · 09-06-2015, 11:31 PM

My truck has been in dry indoor storage since I parked it around 1991. Took the tank out to start fixing the floor and decided to dump the gallon or so of gas still in the tank. I was very surprised when I saw what happened to the float over all those years.

toolboxchev · 09-07-2015, 02:17 AM

Wow, ethanol?

freak · 09-07-2015, 08:00 AM

I don't know. I think the ethanol thing is a myth though.

hamjet · 09-07-2015, 11:30 AM

It looks fine, put it back in.

**jayoldschool** · 09-07-2015, 12:09 PM

Most states weren't putting ethanol in fuel in 91. That's simply from condensation in the tank accumulating, then rusting out the float.

hugger6933 · 09-07-2015, 12:09 PM

A little epoxy and it should be fine

hugger6933 · 09-07-2015, 12:11 PM

That scares me for all of the ones I have laying around that I'll use some day or unfinished projects that I can't work on due to other things. Jim

leftybass209 · 09-07-2015, 12:17 PM

It doesn't matter if it looks okay, only if it functions okay. You don't see it when it's in the tank anyhow!

bluek5 · 09-07-2015, 12:49 PM

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/omx-1772901/overview/
I put one of these in my 72 a couple months back. Even if your float did look ok they develop holes and will fill up with fuel. I would replace it with a factory type brass float or one of the cheap plastic ones in the link.

**jocko** · 09-07-2015, 03:03 PM

no wonder half the fuel gauges I've ever had don't work! thx for sharing the link on the jepe float bluek5, I saved that for future ref! I've got two not working right now.

Redline novdog · 09-07-2015, 03:17 PM

OMG! those are made of brass or copper aren't they? I think you have a wild animal in your tank ! I wouldn't think they be so prone to corrosive liquids!

*Fitz* · 09-07-2015, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hugger6933

A little epoxy and it should be fine

Duct Tape, dude, Duct Tape. It is the irresistible force that binds the universe together.

Mr Handy · 09-07-2015, 08:18 PM

ok I was not expecting that... That is funny.

EARNHARDT#3 · 09-07-2015, 08:25 PM

I don't think it can be considered a float anymore!

**Boog** · 09-07-2015, 08:44 PM

Nah, it's one of those cheap imports right?

bill3rail · 09-07-2015, 08:53 PM

Looks like water/moisture corrosion. If you have a project lying around with fuel for that long, you may see tanks going bad also.

Bill

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 09-07-2015, 08:54 PM

That's the special bevel modification circle track racers had to make, since they're almost continually in a left hand turn. The Float was bevelled to read the fuel that was forced to the passenger side of the tank by centrifugal motion.
When you're turning left, it will all read OK.

freak · 09-07-2015, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

Nah, it's one of those cheap imports right?

Original equipment.

**Boog** · 09-07-2015, 09:32 PM

It was only a joke.
But I have never seen a brass float eaten away like that. What does the rest of the fuel system look like?

**71CHEVYSHORTBED402** · 09-07-2015, 10:06 PM

Looks like it fits somewhere around the dump.

**too much stuff** · 09-07-2015, 10:28 PM

Doesn't look too bad, a little spray foam will fix er up...
Here is mine from my 67 i recently pulled.

freak · 09-07-2015, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boog

It was only a joke.
But I have never seen a brass float eaten away like that. What does the rest of the fuel system look like?

The screen was corroded pretty bad as well.

**tdangle** · 09-08-2015, 03:17 PM

I had a replacement float get eaten up in less than 10 years. You would think brass would last, but they don't. I do believe the ethanol blend has something to do with it

leftybass209 · 09-08-2015, 04:01 PM

... doing more research.

leftybass209 · 09-08-2015, 04:18 PM

After some research, the only place that I've seen that has mentioned that ethanol is in fact corrosive to soft metals such as brass and copper, is a reference to US. DOE2006a. I have not yet read that to determine what exactly it says, but it was referenced in the book, Advances in Bioethanol which states;

"Some of the soft metals such as zinc, brass, lead, aluminum, copper are not compatible with ethanol and can suffer corrosion and pitting if exposed to it for extended periods (US DOE 2006b). Furthermore, ethanol dissolves in water and is more electrically conductive than petrol. The presence of water can facilitate corrosion, and the conductivity facilitates the possibility of galvanic corrosion."

09-06-2015, 11:31 PM	#1
freak Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 152	Does this tank float look ok? My truck has been in dry indoor storage since I parked it around 1991. Took the tank out to start fixing the floor and decided to dump the gallon or so of gas still in the tank. I was very surprised when I saw what happened to the float over all those years.

09-07-2015, 02:17 AM	#2
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Does this tank float look ok? Wow, ethanol?

09-07-2015, 11:30 AM	#4
hamjet Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South Westerlo, New York Posts: 1,325	Re: Does this tank float look ok? It looks fine, put it back in. __________________ Thanks, Joe.. 1969 C/10, 348 C.I., 3X2 bbl. V8, 2004r , LWB.

09-07-2015, 12:09 PM	#5
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,155	Re: Does this tank float look ok? Most states weren't putting ethanol in fuel in 91. That's simply from condensation in the tank accumulating, then rusting out the float.

09-07-2015, 12:09 PM	#6
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,261	Re: Does this tank float look ok? A little epoxy and it should be fine

09-07-2015, 08:00 AM	#3
freak Registered User Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Pemberville, Ohio Posts: 152	Re: Does this tank float look ok? I don't know. I think the ethanol thing is a myth though.

09-07-2015, 12:11 PM	#7
hugger6933 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Marianna Arkansas Posts: 7,261	Re: Does this tank float look ok? That scares me for all of the ones I have laying around that I'll use some day or unfinished projects that I can't work on due to other things. Jim

09-07-2015, 12:17 PM	#8
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: Does this tank float look ok? It doesn't matter if it looks okay, only if it functions okay. You don't see it when it's in the tank anyhow!

09-07-2015, 12:49 PM	#9
bluek5 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Lehi,Utah Posts: 1,330	Re: Does this tank float look ok? http://www.summitracing.com/parts/omx-1772901/overview/ I put one of these in my 72 a couple months back. Even if your float did look ok they develop holes and will fill up with fuel. I would replace it with a factory type brass float or one of the cheap plastic ones in the link.

09-07-2015, 03:03 PM	#10
jocko Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Godley, TX Posts: 17,938	Re: Does this tank float look ok? no wonder half the fuel gauges I've ever had don't work! thx for sharing the link on the jepe float bluek5, I saved that for future ref! I've got two not working right now.

09-07-2015, 03:17 PM	#11
Redline novdog Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Washington,Il Posts: 632	Re: Does this tank float look ok? OMG! those are made of brass or copper aren't they? I think you have a wild animal in your tank ! I wouldn't think they be so prone to corrosive liquids! __________________ It builds on my intelligence when I make a mistake, Boy am I building on it! '67 C-10,'70 Nova SS

09-07-2015, 08:18 PM	#13
Mr Handy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Spring Hill, Florida Posts: 465	Re: Does this tank float look ok? ok I was not expecting that... That is funny.

09-07-2015, 08:25 PM	#14
EARNHARDT#3 Registered User Join Date: May 2014 Location: PA Posts: 1,417	Re: Does this tank float look ok? I don't think it can be considered a float anymore! __________________ 1967 C10, LWB, 250, Powerglide, PS, PB, 3/4 STATIC DROP

09-07-2015, 08:44 PM	#15
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,057	Re: Does this tank float look ok? Nah, it's one of those cheap imports right? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

09-07-2015, 08:53 PM	#16
bill3rail Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: LI, NY 11801 Posts: 1,140	Re: Does this tank float look ok? Looks like water/moisture corrosion. If you have a project lying around with fuel for that long, you may see tanks going bad also. Bill



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09-07-2015, 08:54 PM	#17
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,151	Re: Does this tank float look ok? That's the special bevel modification circle track racers had to make, since they're almost continually in a left hand turn. The Float was bevelled to read the fuel that was forced to the passenger side of the tank by centrifugal motion. When you're turning left, it will all read OK. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

09-07-2015, 09:32 PM	#19
Boog laying low Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Searcy, Ark. USA Posts: 13,057	Re: Does this tank float look ok? It was only a joke. But I have never seen a brass float eaten away like that. What does the rest of the fuel system look like? __________________ Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross

09-07-2015, 10:06 PM	#20
71CHEVYSHORTBED402 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern Nevada Posts: 7,187	Re: Does this tank float look ok? Looks like it fits somewhere around the dump. __________________ Tony 71 Custom Deluxe, SWB, 2WD, 402, A/C. I developed an assembly kit for restoring the (a) truck from the ground up. My build thread, and more on the assembly kit https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=730025

09-07-2015, 10:28 PM	#21
too much stuff Roadtrip! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Grand Rapids MN Posts: 13,705	Re: Does this tank float look ok? Doesn't look too bad, a little spray foam will fix er up... Here is mine from my 67 i recently pulled. Attached Images __________________ 67 gmc custom lwb dakota truck. Sold...And bought back 69 swb 4x4 project (in progress) 70 c-10 lwb texas truck 70 4x4/BB/bkts/posi/tach(retired) 70 swb (wifes) 70 jimmy camper 71 K-5 factory 2wd 71 cheyenne 4x4/tach/posi/ plow rig 71 Cheyenne20 BB, buckets, tach, tilt, 4 speed 72 jimmy CST wyoming rig 72 jimmy Colorado rig 72 lifted texas 4x4 3/4 ton burb 65 fury conv. 383/auto 65 chrysler 300 "L" 413 auto

09-08-2015, 03:17 PM	#23
tdangle Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Jurupa Valley, Ca Posts: 1,210	Re: Does this tank float look ok? I had a replacement float get eaten up in less than 10 years. You would think brass would last, but they don't. I do believe the ethanol blend has something to do with it __________________ Terry 1970 Custom Camper/C20 , GM Crate 350/7004R, Dana 60, factory AC

09-08-2015, 04:01 PM	#24
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: Does this tank float look ok? ... doing more research. Last edited by leftybass209; 09-08-2015 at 04:06 PM.

09-08-2015, 04:18 PM	#25
leftybass209 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 2,186	Re: Does this tank float look ok? After some research, the only place that I've seen that has mentioned that ethanol is in fact corrosive to soft metals such as brass and copper, is a reference to US. DOE2006a. I have not yet read that to determine what exactly it says, but it was referenced in the book, Advances in Bioethanol which states; "Some of the soft metals such as zinc, brass, lead, aluminum, copper are not compatible with ethanol and can suffer corrosion and pitting if exposed to it for extended periods (US DOE 2006b). Furthermore, ethanol dissolves in water and is more electrically conductive than petrol. The presence of water can facilitate corrosion, and the conductivity facilitates the possibility of galvanic corrosion."

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