Non-floating float

[ohm116]

I was playing with my Gale 5D10 again today and I am still having issues with the float not coming up, the pin and everything moves up and down easily and smoothly but when the gas valve is opened it doesn't go up. When I was working on the motor getting it running again I checked the float and look like it was in good shape still but I am wondering if it is possible that the coating has worn off and the cork is now saturated in fuel and oil causing it to no longer float. The reason I think this might be the problem is because when I first fired it up after working on it the float did float but in subsequent running's the float no longer floats.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Non-floating float

Take the float out and let it sit and sun dry for a couple of days...then coat it with fuel-proof dope or even superglue to reseal it. If there is ethanol/E-85 in your local gas supply, use a sealer that is alchohol resistant. The guys on the Ask A Member board at www.aomci.org may know whether a NOS foat is still available and the price...if FR catches this thread here, he may know, too.

 

[ohm116]

Re: Non-floating float

What dope do I use, I would assume it is different from the old model airplane dope?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Non-floating float

You can get genu-ine fuel proof dope found at the hobby store, for rc aeroplanes. Some folks use thin coats of super glue. Ethanol is just getting common here, so I'm watching a couple of motors/carbs that I've used shellac to recoat the float. That's probably not alcohol resistant.

 

[ohm116]

Re: Non-floating float

Oh, okay I think I have a bottle of clear fuel proof model dope kicking around still if not, as you said, its easy to get.

 

[ohm116]

Re: Non-floating float

Just checked, my bottle of clear is almost gone but I have a good portion of Cub Yellow still Not sure if it makes a difference?

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Non-floating float

Maybe...maybe not...some of those old simple carbs are kinda finicky. Some of the Gales badged as Sea Bees for Goodyear Tire had a yellow and blue paint scheme so it probably won't reject a yellow float.

 

[ohm116]

Re: Non-floating float

I think just to be safe I well swing by the hobby shop on the way home from school and get some fresh clear.

 

[F_R]

Re: Non-floating float

Or you could quit dinking around with it and buy a Mercury 18-7208 float here at iboats. Run a 3/32" drill through the center bushing and cut the top cone off to between the two lines and install your old screw and spring clip and you have a new fuel-proof float. How much you going to spend on that dope and gas to go get it? And it still will absorb gas through the center hole and big voids.

 

[ohm116]

Re: Non-floating float

Ouch F R, that was a bit harsh. The dope was only about $5 and I can use it other things, like the 10 or so stick and tissue model kits I have floating around and getting it was just a matter of swinging off the highway on my way home from school. As for the center hole I well just run a syringe down the middle with some dope in it and get a nice coating on it that way. If I want to get real caddy I well pick up a piece of cork from a friend of mine who deals in exotic woods and toss it in my Dad's metal lathe......

 

[F_R]

Re: Non-floating float

Wasn't meant to be harsh. Whatever you want to do is fine with me. I'm just saying I've had good luck sealing some cork floats and others have failed. The gas will find a way to get in there. The dope won't stay on if gas attacks it from the inside. For me, I fix it once and for all with one that won't soak up gas or fall apart.