Wanted: Info Re Cmp Heat Guage

William Spence (RIP) · #1 23-02-07, 05:26

I am nearing start-up time on C8A engine & need info re temp. guage. This is a 13 Cab with early civilian type dash & someone has cut the tube that runs from the bulb in the engine to the guage on the dash. Does anyone know of a rebuilder for these or where I can buy a new one?
Can the bulb & wire from a new guage set (PISTON RING CENTRAL or AUTO VALUE for example) be used or what other ideas are being used????
Any thoughts wud be appreciated.

Bill Spence

MacDuffPiper

Mike Kelly · #2 23-02-07, 10:59

Bill,

I did hear of somebody who repaired a WW2 Jeep temp. gauge using a aerosol can of that ether based aerostart stuff . He recharged the bulb and sealed it with solder .

Sounds too dicey too me , the thing could explode !

Can you try Jim Carter in the US ? As it's a commercial item for civvy Chev trucks, 1940 to 46 he would have new ones .

Or, 'Chev's of the 40's ' in Washington state I think , similar to jim Carter .

Mike

jim sewell · #3 23-02-07, 11:58

It would pay to measure the length of the tubing before ordering as the Blitz one's are quite long , I think they are around 6 feet , longer than the civilian version .

Regards
Jim S.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #4 23-02-07, 12:53

Quote:

Originally posted by jim sewell
It would pay to measure the length of the tubing before ordering as the Blitz one's are quite long , I think they are around 6 feet , longer than the civilian version .

Regards
Jim S.

The old bulb type temp gauges were mercury filled and the length of the tube has no effect as the gage was calibrated to the face temp at the factory..
They were calibrateable by popping the hand off the center stem(Press fit),inserting the bulb in a can of water and bringing it up to a boil ,usually with the shop torch,and with the water at a boil,repress the dial hand onto the center stem and 212F..making sure the bulb remains in the boiling water while the dial hand is being refit..
We take no account for sea level calculations in this refit..
(The boiling point deviation of boiling water at different atmospheric pressures)..
Uncle Al..
Refrigeration Mechanic Extrodinaire

TIP>>>Allways use this calibration method to check the accuracy of any style of temp gauge BEFORE instalation..

Phil Waterman · #5 23-02-07, 15:38

I've picked up 3 or 4 of these units for the early style Chevy temperature gages on e-bay, sort of pick my chances and if I remember correctly I've never bid more than $30 US. They do have different lengths (I've seen three different) which has not been a problem. Even the shortest ones are more than long enough for the Patter 12. Given the location of the temperature gage in the panel of the Pattern 13 there is a problem while the tube is long enough to reach the hole in the engine compartment it runs dangerously close to switch terminals. It is also a tight fit to the mounting point at the back of the head. You have to be careful in removing and installing the valve cover.

I mention the switch clearance because this has been the death of two gages in twenty years. Short the tube to a live 6 volt power source and the unit is dead. So when you are installing the unit to disconnect the power. After having shorted one out trying to tighten a loose connection behind the dash I shorted the tube on one occasion. The next one I installed I very carefully enclosed the tube in electrical tape.

One last point always check a new unit prior to installing the boiling water test is the best dip the bulb in boiling water and see if the unit registered something near 212 on the gage. (What ever you do not use open flame to test the bulb saw this done at a flea market you can guess the outcome.)

Bob Carriere · #6 23-02-07, 22:22

One dependable source is WWW. Bowtiebits. com ..... they sell the full complete 1940 dash or individual NOS components.... not cheap but available..... individual gauges are as much as $85...

Bob

William Spence (RIP) · #7 24-02-07, 00:18

Bob: Tks for the heads-up re BOWTIE GUY. I'll check it tout right away.

Cheers, Bill Spence MacDuff Piper

jim sewell · #8 24-02-07, 06:24

bowtiebits@msn.com .

Measure the length of the tube .

Stefan Leegwater · #9 24-02-07, 08:59

Hello Bill,

Maybe this helps also, if you like NOS.

Cheers,

Stefan
www.lwdparts.com

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #10 24-02-07, 13:01

Hi all
Just had a look at the site, boy does he know how to charge or I am grossly underpriced. For example his complete dash is $US450 ($AUD607) whereas I charge $AUD200. Also looking at the gauges there are no part numbers scripted and his speedometers are only Bright Light scripted whereas I also have the Dim Light scripted one. I also reckon that the artwork my graphic artist does is far superior to his. Might be time to review some prices although given that every restorer in OZ is poor I might be have to remein kind.

Dirk how do those prices compare with yours?

Bob

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #11 24-02-07, 13:03

Where did I get Dirk from. Sorry Stefan.

Bob

Stefan Leegwater · #12 24-02-07, 20:50

Hi Bob,

No problem, Stefan, Dirk; same family!!

Cheers mate,

Stefan

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #13 25-02-07, 21:56

Hi Stefan
OK now we have that sorted out, back to my original question about the value of your Chevrolet temperature gauges. PM price if you like along with the Chevrolet truck toggle switches.
Bob

Stewart Loy · #14 26-02-07, 00:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
I also reckon that the artwork my graphic artist does is far superior to his. Bob

Bob,

I have not seen this fellows bits ( although the 60 psi oil gauge is on the way ) but his work could not be as nice as yours.

Stewart

Bob Carriere · #15 26-02-07, 04:28

I certainly did not intend to cause the inflationary spiral to instrument parts.......Geez!!!!

Just wanted to show the range of prices.... and quality I suspect would be different from someone personaly doing only CMP and a large business operation.

I got a full dash for $56 us from Ebay just like Phil who luckewd out on individual gauges......last 40 dash on Ebay went for $285 US clearly identified as not tested and just cosmetically fixed up....

Not to many can rival with Saleman Bob specialized CMP intrument restorations.

At least now I have some good cores to send to Bob when he does mine.

Bob C.

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #16 26-02-07, 12:34

Hello Stewart
Where is the 60psi oil gauge going? If it is going into the panel I did for you the gauge face won't match as he doesn't script the model number on the face. If you need the decal for that gauge to match up, let me know and I'll send you one. We can't have foreigners in my panels.

Bob

Dirk Leegwater (RIP) · #17 26-02-07, 13:35

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob Moseley
OK now we have that sorted out, back to my original question about
the value of your Chevrolet temperature gauges.........

Hi Bob,

If you have interest, I can make a nice deal with you about
some dirty GMC / Chev temp indicators ( see the pic ).
Please let me know.

Mvg. Dirk

Bob Moseley (RIP) · #18 26-02-07, 13:47

YES PLEASE - send information ASAP.
Bob

Phil Waterman · #19 26-02-07, 19:47

Hi All

For me the key to buying on e-bay is that price is related to how much you need the part.

It seems that if I'm bidding on stuff that I don't need right then I can bid low and not really care if I get it or not. If I need it then it is more a matter of how bad do I need it. And what would the same part for a modern truck be. I think to get four temp indicators I bid on about ten. I've got to start looking again just used the last one I had in stock.

Bob you mentioned a restored chevy dash on e-bay I think I know the one you are talking about either the guy has a stock of them or it is the same one being relisted when it doesn't get his reserve price.

Lately there have been a lot of 40s and 50s Chevy water pumps listed on e-bay and they are going at times for more then what you would pay at the local auto parts store.

There is also the value of using NOS CMP parts which Dirk and some others our little group have been good enough to preserve and make available to us. Thanks guys.