'39 temp guage

[46international]

so I picked up a "new" set of guages for a '39 ford at a swap meet over the weekend.
The problem is that the temp guade works but the liquid in the tube is not red, just clear. Is there something I can do or is it a lost cause?

the guage in question is the tube type guage not the moving needle type.

 

[ford38v8]

Your gauge has been repaired at some time in the past. Original Ford gauge liquid remains red, while the repop fluid bleaches out over time. I don't know what the Ford fluid consisted of, but apparently it had unobtanium in it or the repops would have it also.

 

[46international]

I was thinking about tring to get the glass bulb off and adding some red dye then reguling the glass tube on...what do you think?

 

[ford38v8]

It was repaired once, it can be repaired again. About the fluid, maybe iodine is the answer, I don't know. In any case, if you do try it, you'll have to recalibrate. Look closely at the glass tube, you'll see an etched line which is the factory calibration mark. This line indicates 212º Farenheight, to be lined up at the mark on your gauge face at installation. Testing and calibration can be done with a pot of water on the stove. Caution: At no time should the glass bulb be allowed to be lower than the brass sending bulb, or air bubbles will migrate, causing an inaccurate reading.

 

[46international]

thanks for the help..I was also thinking about just a red plastic bead that would float on top of the liquid.

 

[deuce lover]

As was mentioned your gauge was probably repaired or its an Argentine repop.Those fade over time.Lee Kelly in Idaho makes an LED replacement that apparently works well.I don't have his contact info as I am away for 2 wks.Original gauges are out there,just call the vendors or place a wanted ad on this site.Once you break the seal it will not work.