michaelod Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) I am currently attempting to restore the gas gauge from my 1930 Buick Model 68. This unit appears to have been designed/built by KS Telegauge. At the present time I am not certain the brass tube that connects to the thin glass cylinder is as it should be. As I understand it a column of air that originates in the gas tank travels along the brass tube and eventually comes into contact with the fluid in the glass tube. At this time I am only concerned with that short section of brass tubing that is resident within the gauge itself. My question is should I be able to blow air through the tube and expect it to exit through the glass end? If so thus far the tube in my gauge seems to be plugged up as it will not pass any air through it. Note that I have tried this with 3 different gas gauges that I possess and in every case the results are the same. If the brass tube should be clear, I can not at this point see any possible way to get a tool into the gauge to clean the obstruction. Would appreciate any additional information and advice.Thanks, Edited October 29, 2011 by michaelod (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted October 29, 2011 Share Posted October 29, 2011 (edited) Check out this thread....AUBURN CORD DUESENBERG CLUB :: View topic - Gasoline TelegaugeI bought a kit from Bob's Automobilia years ago. It came with the red liquid, capillary tube, & instructions. Edited October 29, 2011 by Mark Shaw (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted October 30, 2011 Author Share Posted October 30, 2011 Mark,Thanks for that link with a tip on the use of a bicycle pump to clear any obstructions. That is not something I would have thought of. I am wondering now if I can get the same effect by turning the pressure way down on my air compressor as I don't have a bicycle pump currently available. Worth a thought anyway... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted October 30, 2011 Share Posted October 30, 2011 Michael,I am glad you are doing this before me!I must admit my backup plan is to paint the glass tube red 3/4's of the way up and use a graduated stick in the tank!Did the chrome parts come back yet?Keep up the excellent work. We would all like to see some pics.Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted October 31, 2011 Author Share Posted October 31, 2011 Dwight,I have not received the chrome back from Tri-city yet. When I do I'll post some pictures and a review in that thread.Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old26Buick Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 My 27 Buick Woodi Wagon had the same type of gas gauge that was way beyond repair. I know its not orginial but I used a earley 50's 6 volt Jeep sending unit in my new tank and the dash gauge from a Jeep. It works fine but has a black plastic rim around gauge not chrome. It fit in the hole where my old gauge was. I can e-mail details if anyone wants info. Good LuckSteve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted November 1, 2011 Share Posted November 1, 2011 Steve, You might try that relatively new spray-on chrome for the bezel. It works great for plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mclbuick2002 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 MichaelDo NOT pressurize the gauge! They are designed to operate at less than 1/2 psi air pressure. Your lungs can put out more than 3 psi. Using a pump or compressor will destroy gauge and not clear the plug. Some gauges had strips of metal in the metal end to dampen signal from tank. They corrode and plug tube. Use a solvent to try and clear gauge . When liquid comes out glass side it is clear. This end must be open to atmosphere. After clearing tube I used kit from Bob's and both my 30 Buick and 28 Packard gauges work well. Solvent did not clear one gauge so I tried some battery acid and gauge cleared.Try a weak acid like vinegar first. You may be able to see metal strips and remove with tweezers.Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted November 2, 2011 Author Share Posted November 2, 2011 (edited) Thanks for bringing that to my attention Stan. Actually I was a bit hesitant on the air compressor idea and fortunately have not as of yet attempted to clear the obstruction. Better to be safe than sorry, so I will follow your advice on this one.One question though. Are the metal strips located at the metal end that connects to the glass tube or before that point such as where the metal tube intersects with the brass mount?Thanks, Edited November 2, 2011 by michaelod (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mclbuick2002 Posted November 2, 2011 Share Posted November 2, 2011 Metal strips , actually more like pieces of wire are dropped in pipe where the tube from tank screws on. If turn gauge upside down and tap on pipe wires should drop out if loose.Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted November 3, 2011 Author Share Posted November 3, 2011 Thanks Stan. Now that I look up inside I see 3 small wires. If I understand you correctly, the gauge can operate fine without these little wires present. I would hate to remove something it actually needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mclbuick2002 Posted November 3, 2011 Share Posted November 3, 2011 MichaelThe gauge is just a U tube manometer where air pressure forces a coloured liquid of a certain S.G. to a level in proportion to the fuel in tank.You won't get a signal until the car is driven 2 or 3 blocks. When parked level will slowly drop to zero.Liquid from Bob's is added with eye dropper until at zero.If U tube clear and no plugs or leaks from line to tank sender gauge should work.Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 It was a real bear to do so, but I managed to get the wires out eventually without damaging the rest of the gauge. They were fused together in a group of 3. I will definitely need to try the battery acid approach as this thing is severely plugged up. I hope I can save it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidAU Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 The pieces of wire in the tube are inserted to make the gauge reading accurate. By adding or subtracting the number of pieces of wire when the gauge is first set up you can make the level of the red fluid correspond to what the level in the gas tank is.I use muriatic ( hydrochloric) acid to clean mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted November 4, 2011 Author Share Posted November 4, 2011 Going to try the acid approach today. I will start with muriatic acid and see if that clears the blockage. Fortunately it appears that replacements are available in case I am not successful in my attempt:King Seeley Fuel Gauge Sight Glass Assembly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 I'm not suggesting using or not using muriatic acid to clean the blockage (i don't know), but I WOULD use GLOVES , EYE PROTECTION, and possibly a respirator.I know, a red rover BB gun can "shoot your eye out," but acid burns are nasty. I have had them.Neutralize the treated area with baking soda and waterBe carefulMom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mclbuick2002 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Try some solvent or penetrating oil first as without the wires it may clear.You can use a foot pump not a compressor to blow out gauge.The wires are to dampen signal not to adjust level. Zero level is set with air line disconnected by "adding red liquid with medicine dropper or removed using a match or tooth pick". Quote from 1930 shop manual .Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 Stan,That makes more sense. I could not understand why you would put wires in the guage to raise the level, when you could just add fluid.Actually, I quess if you decrease the volume of the tube in the guage by adding wires, you would exagerate the movement of the red liquid in the tube. That means you start at "empty" on the quage with an empty tank. Fill up the tank, and then add wires so that it reads "full." Tedious, but pretty slick.Dwight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mclbuick2002 Posted November 4, 2011 Share Posted November 4, 2011 DwightI don't think you understand what a U tube manometer is and how it works. Think of a U shaped piece of glass with a mark half way up the glass and a coloured liquid added to the mark.Now add air pressure to one end and leave the other open.The liquid at open end rises in ratio to the pressure. Adding a restriction i.e. metal wire to pressure side will reduce volume of liquid but will not affect gauge other than to dampen surges in air pressure. I have left wires out of both my gauges and they have worked well for years.Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidAU Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 With reference to my post above I have included some photos from an ORIGINAL telegauge instruction pamphlet that details how the system works and how to fault find if it is not working correctly. It also explains why the calibrating wires are there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 (edited) This is a great thread guys.... David is correct, but maybe needs some clarification. Hopefully, this example will help...I sell control valves as part of my business, & we must calibrate the automated operator of a control valve from zero (shut off) to full open flow. Two calibrations must be done. The "zero calibration" is to adjust the valve closure. Adding liquid until the gauge reads zero is this first calibration for a Telegauge.The span calibration is to make it go to full open after zero is calibrated. Adding wires to the displacement chamber in the Telegauge would make it read full after the correct amount of liquid has been added to make it read zero. Edited November 5, 2011 by Mark Shaw (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mclbuick2002 Posted November 5, 2011 Share Posted November 5, 2011 MarkThanks for correction. That explains why my packard gauge is correct at zero but never quite reachs full. I assumed wires were to dampen signal as restricting pressure side the signal will be dampened but still reach same value as other side. Is this like 2 pistons where reducing size of driving piston increases force and therefore the travel of driven piston?Stan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted November 6, 2011 Share Posted November 6, 2011 Stan, Not really; it just changes the volume of the displacement chamber. Adding wires reduces the volume of the chamber which allows the fixed volume of displaced liquid to reach a higher level in the sight glass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted November 27, 2011 Author Share Posted November 27, 2011 (edited) Success!!! After soaking for weeks in muriatic acid along with some judicious and deft work with a short length of piano wire and syringe I was able to clear the obstruction in this bad boy. I am able to run some water through it with no problem now. My thanks to everyone whose advice helped me resolve this issue. Edited November 27, 2011 by michaelod (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwight Romberger Posted November 27, 2011 Share Posted November 27, 2011 Congrats Michael!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelod Posted December 16, 2011 Author Share Posted December 16, 2011 Thought I would add a follow up to this thread. I needed to send my gas tank out for repair as the previous owner had attempted to correct a rust situation with a POR-15 process but failed. I went ahead and pulled the sending unit although some rocket scientist (actually the same guy who attempted the POR-15 fix) nearly flattened the gas line when he cut (more like ripped) it away from the car when removing the tank. I have begun cleaning it up although I have a ways to go still. In any case I discovered two small tubes that lead up to a couple of little catch basins which were plugged up in a similar fashion to the gas gauge. This is clearly an additional point of failure for these systems so I thought I would document it here in case someone else is attempting to restore their gas gauge. In the third picture notice the small tubes on the bottom of the sending unit. Mine were plugged solid for the first 1/2" or so with rust and I am certain the gauge would not work in that condition. It was relatively easy to clear the blockage from them and I believe they should work as designed now.Thanks, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcateq Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I know this is an old thread but I was wondering if someone could help me figure out what length reservoir I need to buy for the back of my gas gauge. The gauge does not work and it doesn't even have one. Would it be possible for someone to measure and tell me the length of their brass reservoir on the back of the gas gauge? I have a 1930 Buick Series 40, 2 door Sedan. - Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Why not just replace the body. These people have lots of parts and I have seen many advertised on ebay. Here is a current listing eBay item number: 351112706337 It would be very difficult for you to make the part and have the gauge work accurately. http://www.classicandexotic.com/store/c-85-king-seeley-hobson-fuel-gauge.aspx http://www.classicandexotic.com/store/catalog/king_seeley_gauge.pdf http://reoforum.net/thread/108/king-seeley-hydrostatic-gauge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arcateq Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 Classic and Exotic cars is where I am ordering everything from but they offer 2 different lengths for the reservoir. a KS-0006-B 2 1/3 Reservoir and a KS-0006 3 1/4 Reservoir. I just didn't know which one to purchase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
somorgujo Posted April 8, 2017 Share Posted April 8, 2017 Hi. I am looking for a gas gauge for my 1930 Buick. Any help wil be very welcome. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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