I had used auto fuel containing alcohol and the shellac coating on the original, shown in the foreground, was breached causing degradation of the cork. The float became heavy and sunk.
The two pins are brass and were buried in the cork for weight.
That's avgas and the coating of Minwax Polyurethane, clear satin, is being tested before installation. Using a 1/2 pint can of poly, I actually dipped the entire float 4 different times to seal it and that includes sealing the cork to rod junction too. Dip it part way up the rod. The fuel shown is 100LL. I have no idea why it's green in the photos. It might be mixed with auto fuel leftover in my drum causing the color change.
I had looked for a replacement float without much luck.
I visited Michaels Crafts and bought a bag full of all sizes of corks. The largest cork in the bag is what is shown.
The cork shown is 1.25 " dia at the large end and is 1.25" in length. The small piece between the large cork and mounting rod is a sliver of a small cork to fill the gap. There's a snap type ring on the other end of the cork securing it to the rod.
The small piece is 1/4" long and is .5" dia at the large end.
Since the parts book doesn't show a part number for the gasket that goes between the gauge and mount, I used a gasket listed for the gascolator.
The outside diameter has to be trimmed down to fit in a recess in the mounting surface for the gauge. You'll see when you pull the gauge. I used scissors and trimmed the outer diameter by the thickness of the scissor blade. The OD has to be no bigger than 2.075 mounted on the gauge. The ID is just slightly too small and will easily stretch to fit but the OD will grow slightly too. Measure the OD while mounted to gauge.
Remove the 4 screws and the gauge comes out. Drain the tank first!
You'll have trouble getting the original float out because it's slightly too large.
You'll notice how I mounted the tapered cork on the rod. Do exactly as I did. It makes getting the new assembly inserted a breeze.
When the rod mounting the float is parallel with the body of the gauge, the needle will be at 1/2 tank. I didn't have to add any weight to this float. I held the gauge low to the container of fuel and let the float find it's level then adjusted the way I held the gauge until the rod was parallel with the body of the gauge.
By the way, the actual gauge with needle and dial, is magnetically coupled so there's no hole coming from the tank into the cock pit.
Notice the hole in the original float. Pieces of cork were falling from this float during handling. There are other holes in this float.