The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Counterpart temp gauge

Not sure if this is the correct place to post this

Is anyone having problems with replacement counterpart made temp gauge (1950 truck)?

I've had 2 new gauges fail: first one would start at 180 (cold) and go to max at normal operating temperatures

Got a replacement unit and it worked good for a few days and then got stuck at below 100

Funny thing one of the times it was stuck below 100 and when I turned the truck off after a short drive the gauge moved to 180

Both of these bought from filling station

Today I bought a 3rd unit from car and truck shop, but this is also counterpart made unit

Any help is appreciated

You can send your factory gauge to the Gauge Guys or I think Jim Carter offered gauge service. Either way it's pricey or you can do it yourself. Do a search on mechanical temp gauge repair and click on the H.A.M.B article about the repair on a 33 Plymouth temp gauge. The Bourdon gauges are the same for most cars; Ford, GM, Chrysler. Uses all common tools. You can get a GOOD temp gauge from somewhere like the Speedway Motors race catalog but it's not cheap.

Try to find a used temp gauge and reface it. Unless someone cuts the line, releasing the gas in it, they don't go bad over time.

Sounds somewhat like what happened to me.

New gauge from the Truck Shop. Put it in and it worked great for about 6 months.....until the engine ran hot on me due to bad ground connection to the fan.

The engine never got really hot but after I fixed the ground on the fan, I noticed the gauge registered 180 degrees when the engine was cold.
The ironic thing now is that the gauge still works. When the engine heats up to normal temp the gauge now reads right on the edge of the 220 printed on the gauge.....back to 180 when it cools.

I'm fed up with it to the point I think I'll put me an after market tucked under the gauge to left of the steering wheel. Its not worth the hassle to fight the gas filled tube/gauge anymore as mine is modified anyway.

Anyone got any suggestions what happened to suburban Lou and my gauge???

Yes please
I'm getting tired of swapping these things out

yes I had the same problem, I just ended up getting a used one from Pre 68 Dave.

Dang it
So basically they have quality issues

I wonder about chevs of the 40's or Jim Carter?

Pull the bulb out of the engine and put it in water in a pan or bucket. Place a cooking thermometer in the water and heat the water. Check the gage against the thermometer. Then run to the store and buy your wife a new pot and thermometer.