Sight glass petrol gauge

[crankedup]

I have been wanting to replace the broken glass tube part of my vintage car petrol gauge for some time. It is simply a glass tube held within an brass/light steel assembly which is attached to the dashboard. I can sweat off the bottom of the brass component and slide out the broken glass tube. My problem is finding somebody/Company that can supply me with the replacement glass tube, it would have to be made to pattern being approx' 8mm x 23cm long. Any leads appreciated.

[dilbert]

crankedup said:

I have been wanting to replace the broken glass tube part of my vintage car petrol gauge for some time. It is simply a glass tube held within an brass/light steel assembly which is attached to the dashboard. I can sweat off the bottom of the brass component and slide out the broken glass tube. My problem is finding somebody/Company that can supply me with the replacement glass tube, it would have to be made to pattern being approx' 8mm x 23cm long. Any leads appreciated.

You probably want to look at model steam locomotive suppliers, like perhaps;
https://vault1.secured-url.com/reeves2000/shop_ite...

For a steam locomotive, it's called gauge glass, and it's just a glass tube used to see the amount of water in the boiler. It's certainly good for 150psi, so I'm pretty sure it'll do petrol at atmospheric pressure.

They may not do lengths as long as a foot, but if you explain why, they'll get you some, or tell you where to get it.

You can cut the stuff to length with a bench grinder. Grind a groove in the glass all the way around, and then just snap it. If you break it off just a bit long, then you can clean it up to length on the grinder.

I think they do suitable o-rings on there too. They're nitrile, which is what is used for petrol hose pipe.

That stuff is, I think, clear, but you can get "blue stripe", which is a white strip through one side of the glass, with a blue line in it, which shows the level more easily through paralax.

HTH

Edited by dilbert on Wednesday 1st October 21:06

[crankedup]

Thanks Dilbert, all my searching and then ask here and problem solved in 2 hours! I'm contacting the Company now. Thanks again.