Working on the Camaro's fuel pump, and I noticed that the wire leading to the fuel gauge float is broken. The eyelet is still riveted to it, but the wire is broken from there. Can I butt the two together, melt some solder and call it good?
Out of focus picture:
The gauges don't really work half the time anyway, but it's such a PITA to drop the tank on this car, I don't want to do it twice.
I'd think a butt solder would be too weak. I'd strip back some wire and using the eyelet as a little cup to hold the solder put the stripped wire on top of the eyelet.
Yes you can, the fuel won't hurt it. As Stampie says, the butt joint won't be very strong and vibration will probably kill it.
Yes solder is fine with fuel. "Back in the day" that is how we repaired tanks.
For your fix I would remove the male tang from the female spade connector and then see about possibly cutting the copper on the pump back a little further to get better engagement of the female spade connector. I would then add a little solder to keep it from coming apart.
The thing to be carful of is it looks like there is a insulator/isolator between the housing and the connection on the pump. You don't want to compromise that as it would be like putting a live spark plug in your fuel tank.
Doesn't look like there is any good way to mechanically attach it. I would likely solder it flat to the pad, and then pot it in fuel resistant epoxy to hold the wire for strain relief.
I've soldered many a british motorcycle fuel tanks to fix pinhole leaks. Thats how I was taught to do it and Ive never had a problem as long as everything was clean and dry beforehand.
A good butt crimp connector is better than solder. That's how every single vehicle's wiring harness is assembled.
I would drill the rivet out get another eye type connector connect the wire to the eye connector with a crimp then connect eye connector to sender with a pop rivet of the proper size diameter and grip length.
I've seen a lot of soldered carburetor and fuel sender level floats.
I have nothing useful to add but I keep reading the title wrong.
slantvaliant (Forum Supporter) said:I've seen a lot of soldered carburetor and fuel sender level floats.
Forgot I've done sunk brass floats in carbs too. Plastic ones are so much better now. 
Never trust a connection for both electric and mechanical. Poorly worded but you get the idea.
Doesn't the ethanol eat the lead and tin in the solder?
In reply to mikeeobrien :
No.
I see there is a new ETHANOL OOGABOOGA out there.
Yes the original 90s ZR1s had soldered connections on the dual pump setup.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:In reply to mikeeobrien :
No.
I see there is a new ETHANOL OOGABOOGA out there.
If it did, there would be many angry people with hip flasks
In reply to alfadriver :
I was thinking of moonshine stills made with car radiators.
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