On Feb 5, 7:11*pm, Jeff Wisnia wrote:
Joe wrote:
my float on my antique oil tank gauge has become cracked so it no
longer floats on the surface. I'd like to replace it because the gauge
still works great - giving me a very accurate read -by number - for
how much fuel is left in the tank, as opposed to just telling me if I
have 3/4, 1/2, 1/4 tank etc. I can't seem to find anything online
specifically used for this purpose. Can anyone think of something else
I can hook onto the end of this wire that is heavy enough to pull the
cord out of the gauge yet light enough to float on top of the oil?

I'm guessing you've got a old Scully "Uni Gauge" or the newer version
called a "Golden Gauge" having a cylindrical float with a necked down
section midway along its length where the string ties.

Serendipitously, I was the Chief Engineer for Scully until about 33
years ago.

You could try calling the number(s) on this page:

http://www.scully.com/ct_index.html

Maybe if you sweet talked them they'd give you a new float.

If not, and faced with the same problem I'd try and find a small plastic
bottle with cap having about the same volume as the cracked float and
see if you can wrap a wire sling around it which would give you a place
to attach the gauge's string at its mid point. If it needs more weight
you could put some pebbles or whatever inside it.

Good Luck,

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.8*10^12 furlongs per fortnight.

Jeff, that's so funny that what you recommended is exactly what I came
up with! I found an old bubble bottle and got a big old drill bit in
it for some weight. I am going to soak it in water overnight so I can
get as much of the label off before I sink it tomorrow. The gauge
still works great, I'm excited that I'll be able to save it. I got a
fill up today of 204 gallons and the gauge said 65 this morning before
I left the house - I assume that means I have about 5 gallons of
sludge at the bottom of my tank!