Why was cork used on the gas sending unit

[desoto1939]

Here is a general question for the entire group;

I am trying to determine why Chrysler used a cork float on the gas gas sending units? As we all know we have a brass float that is used on our carbs.

I would have thought that this same brass float would have been used in the gas tank. We know that the corks are losing the varnish and then the corks fall apart.

So when this happens is anyone replacing the cork with a brass float from an older carb and if so any tips on how and what brass float they are using.

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

[Young Ed]

I didnt replace mine with brass but I did update it. I had an old sending unit from my 94 dakota and I used the float off of that. It fit right on the coat hanger I had welded onto the existing arm. I think it was a type of dense foam.

[grey beard]

Ran into the same problem with older tractor floats - again, cork was the favored media back in the day. Easiest fix is to get new cork and shellac it several coats before you reinstall it. Gasoline won't touch that stuff - not sure about ethanol, though.

Good Luck

[Don Coatney]

I would think that price was the reason cork was used.

[Niel Hoback]

I would think you could use the float off any newer gauge/pump unit. I used one from a Ford in-the-tank pump unit of indeterminable age. Looks like its good forever. No need for shellac.

[Jerry Roberts]

Some of the new replacements are plastic . I noticed floats of the same size in the hardware store on arms for the water shut off on swamp coolers . They were selling the floats with arms separately . Perhaps an appliance parts store would have them too .

[randroid]

Folks,

They used cork gaskets around petroleum stuff 'back in the day' because it was not overly effected by oils. Most synthetic rubber is petroleum-based but making it impervious to gasoline or motor oil hadn't been figured out yet, so oil pan gaskets and valve cover gaskets and gas gauge gaskets were made from cork. The material is still traditionally used today.

-Randy

[Plymouthy Adams]

come on folks..cork was used so that just in case you dropped it in the tank while working on the sender it would float and thus you could easily fish it back out..this is not rocket science...!

[Don Coatney]

come on folks..cork was used so that just in case you dropped it in the tank while working on the sender it would float and thus you could easily fish it back out..this is not rocket science...!

Cork, Fish? So would a bobber also work:eek:

[Plymouthy Adams]

Cork, Fish? So would a bobber also work:eek:

believe so Don..think I just caught one...

bet you glad to be home for a bit..I am now just four days out of town and ready to hit the road for home...