Topic: Gas and glass... a weird question

[greenjeans]

A buddy of mine is building a crazy 550 (the guy on Two Guys Garage) and on his custom formed tank he's wanting to add a "site glass" to the side of the tank
through which you could see the fuel level.  The glass is off an old WWII plane of some sort and is really cool.   Can't really figure out how to make this work.

Are there any companies that make a gasket that could seal tight enough to actually work ?    Any brilliant ideas out there ?

[esw07]

Just a quick thought that may or may not work. Would it be possible for him to fiberglass up a tank and incorporate the glass viewing window while laying down the layers of fiberglass? I've never done fiberglass so this may just be an out there idea, but when thinking about it this would make the viewing window an actual part of the tank that doesn't need a special seal.

Like I said, I have never done anything with fiberglass so I'm not sure how well this method would seal up the viewing window.

[MikeDeB]

Ducati did it on the fiberglass tanks for the '74 750SS.

[mystic_1]

Honda seemed to think that threaded bungs were a good idea.  Before that they used o-ring seals and screw mounting.  Worked well for petcocks.

Got pics? 

You'll probably have to add some intermediate fittings to make your specific glass fit.

I've seen pics of site glasses done using copper pipe fittings and clear tubing.  I'm sure that this particular cat has been skinned thousands of times over the year.  What does the all-knowing oracle at Google say?

mystic_1

[greenjeans]

I'll dig around and see it I can find some pics.   The tank will definitely be in metal - that's his specialty.   
Keep the ideas swirling....

[Gorms]

A better idea would be to thread two 90 degree fittings into the side of the tank, one on top of the other with their ends facing eachother.  Put a plastic (or glass) tube between the two and use it as a level gauge.

[mystic_1]

I think I mentioned that approach   Sounds like they have a specific piece of glass they want to use, tho.

mystic_1

[MJL]

If it is flat glass you can cut a slot in the side of the tank and make an oval piece to sandwich the glass between, just make some good gaskets or RTV.