The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay How do you disconnect temp copper wire from gauge?

Guys,

Please excuse all my questions as I'm new to old trucks. I removed my gauge cluster and was wondering how to remove the copper wire for the temp gauge? Oil pressure gauge looks to have a nut on it, but didn't see how the temp gauge releases.

And my final stupid question, can I still run the vehicle with these 2 lines no longer attached to the gauge cluster? Thanks again guys

You have to take the end of the tube out of the head on the engine and thread it through the firewall in order to remove the gauge set. The temp gauge tube is soldered into place on the back of the gauge.

If you can plug the holes on the motor where the tubes attached, you can run the engine.

To expand on Roy's reply what you see isn't a "wire". It's a capillary tube. No electricity involved.

Be careful not to pinch or kink the tube from the engine to the temp gauge. Once the liquid inside escapes, the gauge will not work. There's a way to replace the sensor bulb with one from an aftermarket gauge, but it involves some pretty tricky cooling of the sensor bulb with dry ice and alcohol and some quick, accurate soldering to attach the new tubing and sensor bulb. I've got an original temp gauge head with a missing sensor bulb stashed away that I'm planning to do that with just to see if I can do it. If so, and it works right, I might start offering the service to forum members who have non-working temp gauges.
Jerry

A Dodge guy did a pretty good write up of grafting on a new capillary tube.

http://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge.html

My only gripe with his procedure is the use of ice and salt as the cooling medium. Dry ice can be purchased at several places- - - -our local WalMart sells it. Its temperature is something like -70 degrees F., and when Methanol (shellac thinner) is used as the liquid, it does a lot better job of condensing the liquid in the sensing bulb. Be careful when handling dry ice- - -use heavy gloves or you'll get frostbite on your fingers.
Jerry

I agree with you, just passing along information.

So if I were to replace the gauge unit would I need to buy a new capillary line for it? Being a complete newb with limited skills, certainly none involving grafting with dry ice...?

dx3,

If you purchase a new unit the capillary tube already comes attached to the gauge.

Tim

Thank you Tim! I was looking at Classic Parts and they sell refurbished gauges. Wasn't sure if they came with them or not? And also if I have to remove mine for the core or if I just cut it off?

Well I called Classic today, and apparently the rebuilt are more expensive than new ones. I am looking at $550 for both gauges new (cheapest option). Really wasn't wanting to spend that kind of money on them, but I guess it will be good to know everything is operating properly between a new harness and new gauges.

Do you need to replace both gauges? What company is "Classic"?

1950 replacement oil pressure gauge: $60 (0-30 or 0-60)
1950 temp gauge: $60

Full 1950 complete mounted gauge set is under $300

Classic Parts of America (Truck Parts)

I need both gauges (speedometer and other gauge) which was $550, at least that's as inexpensive as I could find it. And yes, that's the "Classic" I was talking about also. Did I miss the cheaper ones? Your link doesn't work for me, perhaps because I'm accessing it from my mobile phone.

Sorry, your first post referred to the gauge cluster/assembly - the speedometer adds $210.

6v gauge assembly
12v gauge assembly
0-30 oil pressure gauge (a 0-60 is available at same price) $58
coolant temp gauge $58

Tim - sorry I should have better explained. Unfortunately I need both. Neither of the 2 look to be in particularly good shape...