The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts COE Temp Gauge

Need some help here folks. 1951 Chevy COE with GMC 270. Installed the coolant temp gauge with the longest line on gauge I could find. Stretched tight against cab firewall and absolutely no slack. Won’t last a mile given the movement between the engine and cab. Any suggestions on how to extend? It’s like I need a 90 degree housing to install in the head that I can install the temp bulb into just to get an inch or two of slack. Thx in advance!

Search around for remote units, however, you might have to mount it remotely on a separate panel or electric gauge, how was original one mounted?

Ed

Any recent pictures of it ?

I guess I’ll try to find an elbow and a longer straight fitting...seem reasonable?

I'm fairly sure that the bulb needs to be in contact with the coolant to accurately read temp. I see your problem, is there any route that the tubing can take suppose through a newly created hole in the firewall? I don't think you can move the bulb of it but you can move the plumbing and/or the gauge placement. an electronic unit is also an option.

I have seen modern ones with long tubes, but gauge would not look original.

Ed

Are you using a OEM gauge or an aftermarket one?

Can we see a picture of the gauge at the dash?

Mike B

You can buy a gauge that will replace your existing gauge, meant for a V8 transplant with a 60” capillary tube. Normal length is 45”. Heres one from Classic Parts USA.

Are there any other threaded ports in the coolant system that could be used? As a last resort for that sensor you could tee into the heater supply hose but it would not be as accurate as sensing at the engine.

I don't recall the length of the capillary tube in my '50 COE but it is very long, possibly 68 inches. Remember, the position of the bulb will be about where the front edge of the seat base is, so it has to loop forward and then up to reach the firewall/dash board. My gauge needed recharging of the ether fluid, so I sent it to a shop asked them to keep the replacement capillary tube as long as the original. It is very expensive to have a shop recharge or replace the capillary tube.
Kent

dhjmd how about running a heater hose circuit with a tee convenient for your gauge,pipe itfrom the hot block discharge so you'll get the highest temperature reading.I assume this is an original gauge-because aftermarket gauges can be had with long cappilaries. Your reading might be diluted a little,butonce you know how it acts you'll be able to see trouble coming. My 2 cents.

dhjmd You'll have to have flow past your element to read right.