Joe wrote:

I tried to replace the tank gauge. I think this tank is about 50 years
old and the gauge started to fall apart when I tried to twist it. It
also looks like there is some kind of grey sealant that has welded
itself to the threads over the years.


If by "falling apart" you're stating that the gauge no longer tightly
seals the opening it's screwed into, then your tank is in violation of
fire codes and you really ought to do something about it ASAP.

Not that fuel oil vapors are anywhere near as dangerous as gasoline, but
if the tank is inside and that cheapo dealer you're buying from happens
to overfill the tank, some of the excess fuel oil will end up coming out
of the broken gauge instead of it all going outside through the vent pipe.

Do yourself and anyone else living there with you a favor and get that
gauge replaced by someone who can do the job right. You've already
announced to the world on this newsgroup what you did to that gauge, if
the place burned down your insurer might just learn about what you did,
because old newsgroup posts never really die. Stranger things have happened.

Jeff

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