Can anyone recommend replacement sight glass gaskets or material for an Empire No. 90 engine? I believe the sight glass is original. It measures 13/64" diameter x 7/8" long.
I've read folks use silicone tubing. Could I use model airline fuel line from my local hobby shop?
I attempted to use fuel line from an assortment I purchased at an automotive store, but none were the correct size, not to mention they seemed kind of too stiff.
Jeff
Okay ... I'm not sure what to try next.
I've tried the smallest size o-ring my local hardware store sold (a #60 1/4" OD x 1/8" ID). Using Rog's method (for cast base Empires), I can fit the o-ring over the sight glass, but cannot get the compression nut over the o-ring. The combination is just too large and I'm afraid I'm going to break the glass.
Anyone have some suggestions for getting this back together? I must be missing something because I don't think it should be this difficult. Should it?
This is all I need before I can fire up this engine for the first time.
Jeff
Hi Jeff,
I like to use o-rings also, rather than tubing (unless the OD is too large for the nut ID, of course.)
Have you considered a metric o-ring? A 5mm ID x 7mm OD x 1mm wide might work. You would need around 9/32" dia. clearance inside the compression nut. I have a bunch of them, and could send you a few, if you think it's worth a try.
Paula
Paula,
I had not considered metric - I think that would work. I will PM you shortly.
Thanks!
Jeff
Have you considered Teflon tape twisted into a thin string and then wrapped
around the glass tubing (as much as seems needed)? It works the same way
as a slice of silicone tubing. I can testify to that!
Wayne
No I haven't - that's a cool solution but I am sure I'd mess it up LOL
I got in the 5mm ID x 7mm OD x 1mm from Granger but while the inside/outside seemed perfect for the glass/fitting the thickness needed to be about x2~3 more or at least with mine fittings.
I image I can just stack them up. Also the threads on my on the male/nipple are snarfed, so it is hard to tell if I am actually getting to where it needs to be.
But after all thing trying to figure things out, I broke the glass tube. Now to figure out what size glass I need to buy. I welcome anyone that know this, I haven't a way to measure the glass circumference
To the rescue! I am using my Allen wrenches I am not sure if that is a good way - I'll give them a try.
thanks
Well, the 4mm was too small but this fit perfectly: Borosilicate Glass Tubing 5MM Outer Diameter. I have like a zillion feet of it as it came in 1ft lengths as a pack of 10.
The O-rings mentioned were a bust, though I did use one on each side then used
@komet163b suggestion of using twisted Teflon tape. One side seems perfectly sealed and the other is going to weep a little if I don't try it again. Needless to say if I break the glass again I'll have lots glass tubing in stock!
Now I have to figure out a heater, got my bother's Jensen in today and it is way to long.