Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

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Peter Silten
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Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#1 Post by Peter Silten »

I just replaced the fuel sending unit gasket on my 63 B. The unit is mounted on the bottom of the gas tank. Who at Porsche thought that was a good idea? Removing the unit to replace the gasket is a PIA. It involves removing all of the gas in the tank and moving the steering damper out of the way. I replaced the old gasket with a neoprene gasket. The old gasket looked like it may have been some type of a paste. That material, whatever it was, lasted about 20 years before breaking down and leaking. The attached photo shows a bit of the orange colored gasket material.
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Mike Wilson
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

Peter, is it somewhat rubbery? If so, I remember using stuff like that on older Ford engines.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

Larry Brooks
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#3 Post by Larry Brooks »

When I replaced the sending unit in my 1962 I was lucky to find an NOS unit in the UK. It came with the black rubber gasket and a really thick cork gasket. I didn't like the way the cork one fit so I used the black rubber version. The correct gaskets must have been NLA for awhile because mine also had a large amount of the orange gasket sealer and very tired looking cork gasket.
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Joris Koning
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#4 Post by Joris Koning »

I have a NOS bottom sender in case somebody needs one
'56 Coupe
'57 Coupe
'59 Cab 
'60 Coupe

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Peter Silten
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#5 Post by Peter Silten »

Mike, it was a rubbery mess. It just flaked off. No cork or other material was present.

The bottom sender was prone to failure. Mine was no exception. After replacing mine twice with originals and unable to find a third, I ended up replacing it with one from a Karmann Ghia and had everything recalibrated to work with that unit. I got the set up from North Hollywood Speedometer. That was about 20 years ago.

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#6 Post by Mike Wilson »

What was Porsche thinking? 🤔

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Wes Bender
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#7 Post by Wes Bender »

It was the same guy that designed the single forward transmission mount and the sliding oil pickup...... Other than that, I've heard that Porsche can design some pretty good cars.
Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints.....

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Mike Wilson
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Re: Strange Bottom Fuel Sender Gasket

#8 Post by Mike Wilson »

Right you are, Wes. We're still driving them!

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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