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| | | | Joined: Apr 2019 Posts: 122 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2019 Posts: 122 | I noticed my temperature gauge wasn't registering the last time I had the truck out in the fall.
It's a mechanical gauge, so I thought it works or it doesn't. When the outside temperature warms up in the spring, I'll have to inspect the line to see if something is broken.
Would coolant level affect the gauge or do I need to replace it?
JD
1951 Chevy 3100 1/2 ton (1957 235, 4 speed, 411 rear)
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,491 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,491 | Coolant level won't affect the gauge and you are right...it either works or doesn't. I had mine rebuilt and recalibrated about 50 years ago. I am not sure who could do that today...hopefully for you there is somebody locally that knows how.
~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,804 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 6,804 | You might try this company for a rebuild: Temp sending units, coils, fuel sending units, tube radios, vacuum advance, voltage regs. 1920s to 1970s (mostly 30s, 40s, 50s) Atwater Kent 12 Jacques Street Worcester, MA, 01603 (508)792-9500 http://www.mykmlifestyle.comOr one of these: Then and Now Automotive 447 Washington St Weymouth, Ma 02188 Ph: 781.335.8860 Fax: 781.335.1925 https://www.then-now-auto.com/Instrument, clock, gauge restoration, fuel tank sending unit rebuilding service Instrument Services, Inc. 11765 Main Street Roscoe, IL 61073 800.558.2674 http://clocksandgauges.com/
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2019 Posts: 122 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2019 Posts: 122 | Thanks guys. Waiting for the weather to turn to spring here in PA.
1951 Chevy 3100 1/2 ton (1957 235, 4 speed, 411 rear)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,989 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2016 Posts: 1,989 | Life can't wait! get out there and work on her and take it out in the snow to play!
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,878 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 5,878 | JD - If you want to, you can also just purchase a reproduction gauge from one of our various well known vendors. Classic Parts offers Part # 24-703C for 6 cylinders or Part # 24-703D for 8 cylinder engines. Both are currently in stock. Pretty reasonable cost for either at just under $60 + shipping.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,215 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Feb 2000 Posts: 5,215 | Coolant must be in contact with the bulb, or you will not get an accurate reading. It will show some heat, but it won't be correct. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2019 Posts: 122 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2019 Posts: 122 | I bought an entire new gauge assembly from Classic Parts when I restored the interior a few years ago. I'm pretty sure the temp gauge was working when I installed it but not sure. I'll have to check the coolant level in the spring. The snow is finally melting here in PA.
1951 Chevy 3100 1/2 ton (1957 235, 4 speed, 411 rear)
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,799 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,799 | A quick way to test the gauge would be a one-burner propane camp stove sitting on the intake manifold, a pan of water, and submerge the sending bulb in the hot water. The bulb doesn't care if it's actually in the engine or not, and you wouldn't even have to remove it from the truck.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt!
There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway
Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,454 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2022 Posts: 2,454 | ... or unscrew the sending bulb from the head and then get a pot of water boiling on the kitchen stove. Take the pot to the car along with a cooking or meat thermometer. Immerse the bulb and the thermometer and compare as the water cools off.
'57 GMC 102, Original 347 V8, HydraMatic, 3.08 rear gear, added A/C, disk front brakes, HEI, AFB carb, '98 Honda Black Currant paint. T-boned and totaled 10/12
'52 GMC 152 Stake Bed, Original 228, SM420, added A/C, HEI, disk front brakes, '67 Chev 3.55 rear gear. Gets used as a real truck.
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