Installation of Temp Gauge

Keep in mind that boiling water is 212 only at sea level. At Longmont Colorado (5000 ft), boiling was about 200 degree's Fahrenheit.

Marc
 
Don't buy a cheap mechanical temp gauge, their temperature response is generally very slow and their readings aren't usually accurate. Buy a quality Stewart/Warner gauge and you won't be sorry.
 
Ok weather improving.... took truck out for a short run. (3 miles or so) Outside temp 63 degrees. Ran well had mixture 1/2 open. Ran 40 mph for a mile then pulled into a large parking lot and ran slowing for about 5 min. Gauge was reading just above 165 or so. Headed back on HWY and temp continued to climb to the upper limit of the green. No steam... no overflow no leaks... check radiator fluid temp 10 min. after sitting with a real temp gauge (long stem scientific) Was at 160+ Pegged meter.

Truck has new radiator.. new water pump and fresh antifreeze.

Question: is this normal temp ?

Before I put in the gauge I ran the truck 50 miles at 45 mph and the moto meter never moved. No overheat or loss of fluid.

I am guessing it was running around 180 degrees.

Opinions welcome
 
barkleydave said:
...check radiator fluid temp 10 min. after sitting with a real temp gauge (long stem scientific) Was at 160+ Pegged meter.
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Your coolant temperature will normally increase after you shut off the engine. My A temp usually runs ~165°F while moving but when I shut 'er down it with no circulation it will climb to 190°F.
 
To see an article on how to repair an old non working gauge, Google "1933 Plymouth temperature gauge repair" I tried it and it worked great! The range of the needle is slightly reduced but you will have your great era gauge working in your era auto.Good luck.
 
tbirdtbird said:
why use that gauge?
The dial has a very small sweep, thus is not very accurate.
The probe is mechanical, in this case filled with ether which expands with heat. Can be troublesome
Why not use an electrical sender, that way you are only running a wire
Your FLAPS will have a bunch of temp gauges to choose from. Getting a black and white face is no problem, or whatever you choose. The sender and gauge come in one box. Large sweep= much greater accuracy. Marc H. can better explain why this is than I
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I've found the opposite to be true; electric gauges available at my FLAPS are off often as much as 20*. I prefer to stick with vintage SW gauges or the original Rex-A-Co units made by US Gauge in the 1930's whenever possible; both are quite accurate.

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I have not had a chance to run it and check with Infrared gun. I am running a 2 blade aluminum fan. The radiator is a new reproduction and the engine was gone through prior to me and has very few miles on it.

It is not leaking... hold coolant level just above the baffle. Sensor is in the top radiator hose. Before I put in the APCO gauge I had driven the truck about 35 miles when I bought it and no sign of overheat. It was a 55 degree day. We shall see what happens as outside temps increase. Since everything is new I do not have much room to play with this potential concern.
 
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