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I had a problem with several vacuum tanks the car would run fine for a while and then it would shut off and it would be out of gas in the vacuum tank . The problem turned out to be the brass seats were coming out of the housing in the top cover of the tank . These are the 2 brass seat that the needle valves go in and out of as the float in the tank moves up and down. I even sent the tank to a person that rebuilds them and he said the tank was fine. Well he was wrong

I had the same problem with those brass seats coming loose. I replaced the top with a reproduction new one.

David,
could this problem also occur with my 1924 Vacuum Tank?? However, in this discussion I still don't understand exactly which brass seats we are talking about here.
I completely rebuilt my vacuum tank and installed the repair kit. Only
I couldn't remove the parts in the top cover (vacuum valve), but I tested it for functionality using negative pressure.

Karl

Karl,
If yours has a pot metal top you will find very small brass seats have been cast into the pot metal under two valves that are connected to the rocker that is operated by the float. In my case the pot metal had expanded a little loosening the seats and preventing them from sealing, If you have an aluminum or brass top it will not have those brass inserts
David

David,
What do you think? Yes, of cause I have this bad casting piece. With your description I was able to locate the two valve seats on my sketch drawing. Unfortunately, I didn't pay any special attention to these two seats during the restoration because I wasn't aware of this problem. Is there a way to check whether these valves are ok? I blew hard on the vent valve and it seemed to be tight. Do you know if the spare part you wrote about is still available?

Karl

Karl,
The reproduction vacuum tank tops have been available from this business here in Australia for many years however I believe it has ceased manufacturing. It may still be selling old stock.
vintageandclassicreproductions.com/product/stewart-vacuum-tank-top-63/

I guess the only way to test your tank is to see if it works, there will be many original tank tops still working fine, pot metal is strange stuff it doesn't always crack and expand.
David