Fitting for Old Water Temp Gauge?

Tom Wesenberg

Tom Wesenberg

Well-known member
Does anyone know if the fitting is available to mount this old temperature gauge?
As close as I can measure with my verier caliper the thread is .680" OD and the 4 threads are .172", which tranlates to 23.256 threads per inch.

It reads: Rochester Manufacturing Company, Rochester N.Y. and has patent 2,147,021 if that helps. I don't know how old it is but I like the looks and it should fit right in with the Model A's. Thanks
 

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I bought a couple of those for $5 at Frank Gemmell's swap meet in Scottsdale the year before last because I thought they looked the part. Got them home and one at least worked when the bulb was dipped in hot water.

I took it along to my local UK Model A parts guy and he had a sleeve that goes in the top hose, and the fitting the gauge came with screwed right in. I know that he deals almost exclusively with Macs, so you could try them.

Sadly I didn't bother to measure.
 

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Tom, I know that there is a tap size 11/16-16 and it is classified fine thread, but there are also taps classified as extra fine and 24 threads per inch may be it.
 
The thread size appears to be a standard UNEF 11/16-24. Here's a link for a plug tap: LINK The problem I see is the nut appears to compress a copper flange above the bulb to seal. A through tapped hole won't work, you need a square shoulder on the bottom to compress/seal the bulb flange. Got a lathe? Making a fitting and cutting internal threads with a single point thread tool is not that hard, just time consuming.
 
Tom,
There is a special bushing made for these (it looks like a standard size probe) the bushing will usually be 3/8 or 1/2npt with a seat inside for the probe to seal on.
Any (helpful) auto parts store should be able to fix you up - worse case, you may have to buy a "cheap" manual temp gauge just for the bushing
Scott
 
ScottNW/Ohio said:
Tom,
There is a special bushing made for these (it looks like a standard size probe) the bushing will usually be 3/8 or 1/2npt with a seat inside for the probe to seal on.
Any (helpful) auto parts store should be able to fix you up - worse case, you may have to buy a "cheap" manual temp gauge just for the bushing
Scott
Click to expand...

Yes, I've been looking on the internet for the special bushing, but all I find is the common 5/8 x 18 TPI instead of one to fit my gauge with 11/16 x 24.:mad:
 
GOOD NEWS!
I did a Google search for Rochester temperature gauge and found the company's web site. The company moved from Rochester NY to Texas. I sent them an email and picture of the gauge and mentioned I'd like to install it in my 1928 Model A Ford. I asked them if I could purchase the special 11/16-24 fitting? They said there are practically no parts left for the antique gauges, but they would send me the fitting next week free of charge.:)
 
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