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Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:52 pm
by Belliott3
Is there a certain sealer that should be used to prevent gas drippings when mating brass fittings to sediment bulbs? I'm sure any kind of plumbers tape would simply dissolve.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:58 pm
by Mark Gregush
I use the yellow tape, or thread sealer (any that are current gas safe) or one that I can't talk about here. (lets just say it not lead free!!! :lol: )
I would add, if that is the fuel outlet to the carburetor, kinda defeats the reason to have a sediment bowl. (?)

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 6:59 pm
by Mark Osterman
Shouldn’t leak ... brass on brass ... just snug it tight.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:17 pm
by Scott_Conger
Permatex #2

a very very small schmeer and you will have a leak-free joint that will also allow you to line up the drain valve where you want it. Been there, done that.

It cures to a tough tack, can be removed without trouble, and simply will not leak. It is an old product that is not much in favor these days, but can still be easily found at any car parts store.

Mark

You're looking at a very early sediment bowl. There is no "low spot" for rust to settle or screen. A very primative (and less than useful) part of the fuel system in early cars. It only works well if drained OFTEN.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:49 pm
by Mark Gregush
Thanks Scott. Seeing the roughness of the casting area where the fitting comes out I was thinking it was home made.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 7:57 pm
by Belliott3
Thanks for the advice - I do appreciate it! The bulb is original to my February, 1910 T and indeed looks pretty rough.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 8:30 pm
by Bill Robinson
Bill, will you post a photo of your entire sediment bowl? I am not familiar with what a bowl for a 1910 looks like.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 8:49 pm
by Allan
I can see a use for a sealant between the elbow and the carburetor because sometimes the elbow does not get tight enough when set at the optimal orientation to accept the fuel line. There is no call for sealant on the packnuts connecting the fuel line as fuel should never get to the nut. Instead of the felt seals formerly used, I make my own seals. 1/4 black fuel line is made with two layers, separated by fabric reinforcement. I cut two pieces 3/8" long, slit the outside layer and remove it and slide the inner piece over the fuel line. As the packnut is tensioned, it squashes the seal against the pipe and nut. Works for me.

Allan from down under.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sat Jul 27, 2019 9:11 pm
by art32mor
I use a product called "seals all" gas tank sealant and easy to assemble and dis assemble
Fills gaps and threads
Best thing it's cheap and can be used for many other things

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 1:57 pm
by Belliott3
Here are some more photos of my sediment bulb. It doesn't appear to be like any bulb Ford supplied on the 1909/10 Model T's; in fact, I don't see anything like it in any of the supplier catalogs! The tank looks pretty new, but the threaded filler opening, as well as the sediment bulb, have been soldered on and look pretty original. Can anyone identify this particular bulb? I don't know why the pictures are sideways, but if you click on them they will turn to normal view.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 2:27 pm
by John.Zibell

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 2:35 pm
by DanTreace
Bill

Your sediment bulb is the Ford correct soldered in place bulb. Found on 1911's, so your tank could be later or your '10 is a late build. The '09-'10 more common ones are threaded, but very short rounded bulb.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 3:10 pm
by Inthegarage
John.Zibell wrote:
Sun Jul 28, 2019 2:27 pm
Try this. Works great. https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/ ... key=218206
I recommend ez turn to. I bought a tube and it should last me a lifetime

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 3:52 pm
by Scott_Conger
Knowing what products are designed to do is usually a help...

Permatex is a sealant. It will seal imperfect or damaged threads and when used on NTP threads, the fitting can be stopped short of "tight" and still seal. This is probably a benefit on a fitting that is #1 damaged as shown in the photo, and #2 really requires that the shutoff valve have a beneficial location ie not facing toward a structural member so as to allow access.

Fuel Lube was originally Mil-Spec'd as a tapered-plug type fuel shutoff valve lubricant. It is excellent for that. It is also used occasionally on NTP threads to allow (as a lubricant) the extra "oomph" to seat tapered threads. I do not believe this would be an ideal application in this instance as neither end of the coupling has virgin, undamaged/worn threads and thus will not seal through intimate material contact. You are now relying on a lubricant to seal.

I prefer lubricants to lubricate and sealers to seal

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2019 7:48 pm
by Allan
Bill, the outlet fitting on your sediment bulb has a tap with which I am unfamiliar. It looks to have a parallel thread on the fuel line side as is usual, but it appears to have the angled face on the end to accommodate a flared fuel line, which I believe is not usual.The round handle on the tap is also not that with which I am familiar, but that could well be a reflection of my very limited knowledge of the early T's.

Allan from down under.

Re: Fuel line sealer

Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2019 12:38 pm
by Altair
It appears that your threads are not compatible, the casting is tapered pipe and the fitting is parallel. Find a valve with a tapered pipe thread.