The International Cessna 170 Association

Thanks Bruce. That is something I missed. I guess mine must be working OK.

Frank

170C wrote:... I did note that there were two metal items (sort of like tacks without the heads) imbedded in the cork. I removed them and put them in the new cork/float. Are these the magnets? I put the cork/float back on the rod followed by the small washer and flattened the end of the rod to retain the washer and cork/float. My gauge had worked just fine since I did this approximately 15 years ago.

They are not the magnets being discussed. They are bob-weights designed to dampen the movement of the corks.
The best solution for cork floats is to order the new nitrile (plastic) floats for these gauges from Spruce.

The best solution for complete replacement is to order entire mechanical gauges from Spruce and modify them. IMO

Revisiting an old thread here. My gauge looks a bit different than the one Bruce pictures on the first page of this thread.The common understanding has been that the “U” shaped metal on the shaft is magnetized. Mine was not. Probably why the needle doesn’t swing as the float moves up and down. Any suggestions for magnetize it? With my luck I’ll get the polarity wrong. I had thought that the U-shaped part acted on a steel needle. What I found though was that the needle is brass and therefore non-magnetic. Turns out there is a small disc attached to the brass needle that is a magnet.There was discussion about the “bob-weights” in the float. Both 7/8” nails — looks like concrete nails— weighed 0.1 ounce together. Wondering if I should add them to the new floats I bought from Aircraft Spruce.