This project has not come to a standstill.
We obtained the lab hydrometer and graduated cylinder needed to test the
specific gravity, sometimes also referred to as
relative density, of various fuels and other fluids back in mid-2023, and have made significant progress in finding safer alternatives to gasoline when setting float levels in a climate-controlled (heated in winter) indoor / residential basement shop environment.
To date, we've been looking at liquids that match specific gravity & float levels as closely as possible to pure, 100% gasoline. Using 100% gasoline should eliminate whatever variability
might occur with 10% ethanol summer & winter blends.
There is a gasoline fuel injector calibration fluid suggested earlier in this thread that is very promising so far, but at $78.00/gal. the stuff isn't cheap. Once we have a repeatable baseline for that, as well as 100% pure gasoline, we'll begin testing distilled water in an attempt to ascertain the exact difference in actual float level.
Over the last 6 months, a local custom lab equipment glassblower has produced a handful of dummy 'float bowls' (modified lab beakers) for our testing based on our ongoing specs & suggestions. Here is the first rough prototype from late last year:
The glassblower has been very interested & cooperative in this project, offering good suggestions as we try different configurations of graduation marks & beaker depths. Different configurations can be produced based on need. We're only testing for Z1 VM28SS carbs.
Every prototype incorporates a drain barb close to the bottom that a 3/8" ~ 5/16" hose can be attached to for convenience & neatness. He also applies a fuel-proof ceramic graduation line 3mm below the top edge of the vessel, prior to kiln firing, for easy visual evaluation of liquid level. We're also evaluating graduation line colors (black & green so far), as well as a solid line all the way around vs. a broken line at 3mm and, a version with staggered broken lines at 3mm and 4mm below the top edge.
We posted a request in the 'WANTED' sub-forum for a set of 4 old carb holders suitable for mounting a rack of Z1 VM28SS carbs to a board to allow for some vertical adjustability, because the prototype glassware varies in height a little. Being able to support & vertically adjust a rack of carbs will ease testing & development of this custom glassware significantly.
Been a fun & educational project so far. Not cheap, but education usually comes with costs. There will be some additional, very detailed, arcane & (maybe) borderline eyes-glaze-over stuff to come, likely in a new thread.
Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE