Jump to content

1941 V12 Oil level gauge - SUNK??!!


1941

Recommended Posts

I have a 1941 Continental Cabriolet.

Recently the oil indicator (float) does not respond to show

the level of oil in the engine. (YES, I am SURE there is oil in it!)

What would cause this and is it repairable?

Where do I get a new float, and how is it replaced?

Any help appreciated

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Michael, the float is just that, and if it has developed a hole somehow, it has "sunk", and is unable to "float" on the top of the oil level. It is a big job to replace one, reqiring removal of the oil pan, just to be sure it is not just lodged in it's channel, and unable to rise properly, push down firmly on the indicator and see if it bounces back, sometimes the "oil Lizards" that grow in the pans and under the intake manifolds of old V-12's will inhibit the proper function, and a little manipulation will make it work, otherwise, both you and the float are sunk, clever soldering can repair the original, as they are made out of thin brass, good luck, Rolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Lizards! all this stuff to make work and now Lizards! Have to find out what they eat, if they are getting enough exercise, do I need to include vitamin enhancements with my oil? It's just too much to bear. Bears? we got bears now? holy Mackeral. Now there's fish! I don't think I can take this!Gotta go tend to my computer bugs.

Dave Hugo <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If it really is sunk, and the job is taken on, I would maybe suggest a trip to the local marine supply house who may have a simmilar float that si made for a thick wire to slide through. That float would of course be made of all American (or other country) plastic and last the lifetimes of us all combined. These would be used of course as fuel sender floats on boats and such.

Dave Hugo

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As a follow up to the care and feeding of oil lizards, they seem to really like heavy, dirty, 40 weight non detergent oil, a plugged oil filler cap, and of course no sign of any crankcase ventilation, my goodness!! That would be most unhealthy for OL's, and a smoky old V-12 is one of their most favored habitats, the stuff legends are made of, Rolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

All you have to do is jack up the front end and pull the oil pan.You may have to remove some of the steering linkage.The pan comes off easy and when it does you will see the float right before your eyes.I would buy a new float and a new pan gasket.I have pulled the pan on my car so many times I could do it blindfolded.It may take some time but I would not call it a hard job.What I would call a hard job is compressing valve springs.This MURDER.I have had to do it a few times and I swore that GOD was punishing me for some terrible sin I had committed.Several times the wrench hit me in the forehead and I had to go to the emergency room for stitches.The only good thing about it the doctor was nice looking. Jim Lawrence,Wisconsin

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm confused. The float that came with my car (maybe it's a replacement) is a styrofoam-like material. Did Ford change this at some time to something that had a greater potential to break? If so, it wouldn't be the first time wink.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hey Cecil, forget Ford coming up with a replacement for anything on the HV12 engine, they wanted to forget this engine as soon as they could, and are you absolutely sure the replacement float failed?? That is like lightning striking twice in the same place!! Rolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sorry, I wasn't clear on my message. I bought my '37 apart, and the float is a styrofoam like material. No WAY it could sink. I was wondering if the floats started off being made of this material, then switched to the brass floats later.

For an engine that Ford would like to forget, they sure took their sweet time doing so, eh? (13 years!)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

OK, couple of things, I would bet a great deal that Ford never came out with a plastic Replacement float for the original brass one, that seldom gave any trouble, second, Ford supplied parts for Model A's, early 21 stud V-8's, all the pre war and postwar Ford and Merc engines, and the '49-'53 Ford and Merc engines, but there was little or nothing available for our beloved V-12's. an obvious case of abandonment, and I was involved in Ford parts sales in the late '50's and '60's, so if someone knows something different, I would sure like to hear it, Rolf

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...