sediment bowl trouble

[DanielV2]

Pulled the sediment bowl off the '49 to start cleaning the fuel tank. I tried to take the bowl apart, but the glass would not budge. The inlet is clogged with 30 yrs of evaporated gas and more is stuck to the bottom of the bowl. The fuel outlet is open. I sprayed some carb cleaner into the bowl and sloshed it around for a bit and left it to soak. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Daniel V

[Bob McCarty]

I would bet that the cork gasket is stuck to the glass bowl and top with evaporated gasoline "varnish". I'd try soaking it for several days and see if that will allow separation. The glass bowls are $7-8 new and probably cheaper used if you happen to break it during disassembly.

Bob

[staninlowerAL]

I would bet that the cork gasket is stuck to the glass bowl and top with evaporated gasoline "varnish". I'd try soaking it for several days and see if that will allow separation. The glass bowls are $7-8 new and probably cheaper used if you happen to break it during disassembly.Bo b

Not uncommon for this to happen. The shutoff lever can be removed by removing the packing nut and unscrew the lever. If you don't have a screen on the inlet, it is straight down into the glass bowl, use a 1/8 drill bit to remove the crud. You can then insert a small wooden dowel through the inlet and press/tap it against the glass bowl bottom. Here's one source for parts:

[Scrivet]

....... The shutoff lever can be removed by removing the packing nut and unscrew the lever. If you don't have a screen on the inlet, it is straight down into the glass bowl, use a 1/8 drill bit to remove the crud. You can then insert a small wooden dowel through the inlet and press/tap it against the glass bowl bottom......

I don't believe it's "straight down" to the glass bowl. The inlet is off set from the center, that is why it spins all wonky when you screw it into the tank. The gas flow goes vertical down the inlet and makes a 90 degree horizontal turn against the seat of the shutoff valve and then makes a 90 degree turn vertical again down into the center of the glass bowl. Even if it was a straight shot, there is (should be anyway) a deflector shield at the bottom of the casting so the flowing gas stream gets aimed to the sides of the bowl and not straight into the bottom which would keep the sediment stirred up and not let it settle.