MTFCA Forum

On my newest restoration, a 1913 Runabout, I decided to do something really authentic, and that is to use the felt packing at the elbow. Initially, I used one of the felt packing's I bought from Langs, and really had to bear down on it to keep it from leaking. This time, I had to do some carburetor work, and reinstalled the fuel line again, and it leaks badly with the packing nut extremely tight. Is this common? I just talked to a friend who is new to the hobby, and he used a felt packing on his car with no issues. I feel like a jerk posting such a simple question, but shit happens!

There are differences in threads with repoped nuts & original elbows. I dont know if this is your problem with a sloppy thread binding. I suspect not & that both your parts are original Ford.
I use the felts on my stuff & customers. What I found is that one felt compresses down to where you can run out of threads. After the first compression, I add another 1/2 felt to give room for adequate compression before running out of threads. No problems with leaking.

Did you soak the felt with soapy sludge?

I have always installed dry.

I oil soak mine prior to install.

Is it blasphemy to use the neoprene packing that Lang's sells versus the felt seals? I have used the neoprene packing and find it works well.

https://www.modeltford.com/item/2913N.aspx

I have nothing against the neoprene packing the venders sell or cutting a piece of hose.
I have so many felts left over from carb rebuilds, I use them.

I use a short piece of 1/4" neoprene fuel hose as packing. It's been leak free for 22yrs. I just didn't have any luck with the felt.

Sometimes, especially when it doesn’t show, you’ve got to use what works. Fuel line for me too.

The neoprene packings worked perfect for me. Another win for the T.

I use felt packing from Lang’s, never had a problem. Installed dry, works perfectly.

Ivory soap and double felts ought to work, or maybe beeswax. But I'd want a leak tight joint, no matter what it took. The risk of spoiled paint or a burned up car must be avoided. Fumes in a garage are obnoxious, even if they don't reach explosive concentration.

I prefer the neoprene seals

When I finished restoring the car, I wanted to try the felt. It worked quite a while, but started giving me trouble. I put the full length that I got from Langs, but yesterday had to add 1/4". So far no leaks, but haven't tried running the car yet. I installed all of them dry. It's been sitting all night with the gas turned on, and no leaks.

When I finished restoring the car, I wanted to try the felt. It worked quite a while, but started giving me trouble. I put the full length that I got from Langs, but yesterday had to add 1/4". So far no leaks, but haven't tried running the car yet. I installed all of them dry. It's been sitting all night with the gas turned on, and no leaks.

I use the oil, gasoline and heat resistant "Ez Turn Lubricant" with the felt.
Some in the back of nut, try to leave some on the outer side if the felt. Using the EZ Lube the same mannor recommended to pre RTV the felt for the hogshead.

I recall from my early days when you could find NOS steel packing nuts everywhere, I recall the felt packing already being in the nut. It would be interesting to know how they got it in there, and if they soaked it with anything.

I have the problem solved, at least for now. I added a shortened piece of round felt packing, 3/8" and no leaks.