Resealing an old cork carburetor float

[need2fish]

I like the way you’re tracking the aging. A very scientific approach.

I’ve coated cork floats with dope and others with crazy glue (outside) – 6 motors with one and 6 motors with the other. After 20 years on the rack and/or on the transom, the only failures are where (on early Johnsons) I didn’t ram enough sealant down the float needle hole in the center of the cork.

[joecb]

Tubs, you are the “MAN” … true scientific methodology. Thanks.

Joe B

PS, some guys use “Red Kote” gas tank sealer, I use the hot fuel proof model airplane dope.

PPS, as for no alky gas, i’m fortunate that it’s readly available here in S-E MI. However, I see that the premix two cycle gas is now available at hardware and big-box stores. Comes in 50:1 and 40:1 , pure gasoline, no alky. Kinda’ expensive. You will have to add some oil to get to the ratios that we commonly use.

• This reply was modified 1 year, 12 months ago by joecb.

[AZGDOGG]

Tubs, very appreciative of your science experiment, very helpful and interesting. I still have to wonder why the manufacturer sealed the floats if it wasn’t really necessary? Still trying to find a sealer type that I don’t have to be concerned with dissolving or delamination creating new or worse problem. Hard to find ethenol free gasoline here except of course for the canned gas at Ace hardware and Home Depot. Great resource with great members here! Really appreciate all of the responses and help with suggestions.

[Tubs]

There was a need 100 years ago but better refining
and fuel additives make it no longer necessary.
Back when I use to think it was necessary to coat
floats I tried a gas tank sealer . Worked OK for about
3 years then the sealer separated from the cork. I
suspect that it failed because I couldn’t get the sealer
into the hole that the float pin goes through. My
thinking is eventually gas got under the sealer and it
separated from the cork. Float got stuck in the float
bowl – gas running all over the place.
I probably quit coating floats10 years before I started
my demonstration to show what I had learned.
Just another guy on the internet- use your best
judgment.
Tubs.

A "Boat House Repair" is one that done without having tools or the skills to do it properly.

1 user thanked author for this post.

AZGDOGG

[outboardnut]

I still wonder what the manufacturer of new cork floats of today use on their corks
Hell I don’t even know what company really makes em.

[AZGDOGG]

Yes, I don’t think anyone offers cork floats as OE anymore, I just went to Ace Hardware and bought a few tapered cork stoppers from their hardware bins that are slightly oversized and cut, file,shape and sand as desired. Then in this case drill an appropriate size hole for the float valve stem and install.

[crosbyman]

the cheaper carb kits  with those sloppy orange gaskets that melt… also come with modern plastic floats…

if you need  floats for 50’S and up  carbs  they are probably just as good as a reseal and not to pricy

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[outboardnut]

I use this float in RD-17s
Is there a plastic alternative to the cork.??????
Without filing and sanding

[crosbyman]

https://www.amazon.ca/Carburetor-Float-Arm-Assembly-375792-25/dp/B07L5VJNMX/ref=sr_1_5?crid=9XBEZMRYZ16W&keywords=omc+carburetor+float&qid=1675536815&sprefix=omc+carburator+float%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-5

104$ on amazon

 

or

https://www.amazon.ca/Jweweunyu-Replaces-Evinrude-Outboard-Carburetor/dp/B0B7NCWNGK/ref=sr_1_26?crid=9XBEZMRYZ16W&keywords=omc+carburetor+float&qid=1675536815&sprefix=omc+carburator+float%2Caps%2C103&sr=8-26

 

15 $ on amazon

 

 

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

• This reply was modified 1 year, 11 months ago by crosbyman.

[frankr]

The coating on the 375792 is supposed to be a fuel-proof material, albeit the same part number, and is not the old orange shellac that was used years ago.  Alcohol eats shellac for lunch.

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