Motometer does not seem to register anything

My first A, in 1956 had 22k on the odometer. It's Motometer worked perfectly. I knew when it needed the plugs cleaned, points series, when to put a piece of cardboard in front or add water. Today's Motormeters are frauds. Their manufacturers should be ashamed.
 
Years ago when repo parts became more common over here one of my mates bought a new Motometer for his A Phaeton. He complained bitterly that he had been ripped off as it never read anything. After a while we figured out that it could be read from the passengers side ( left side of the car we are Rhd here). So the new motometer was made for the Lhd market. My 28 pick up was the same, read best by the passenger and only when the radiator was very full. They are not really needed on a Model A. When they boil the water usually comes out under the cap all over the place. If your model a boils it is usually due to:- lack of water, long climb on a hot day, bad tuneing, or blocked up radiator. The big secret is never put cold water straight back in the engine as this can lead to cracked block especially at the valve seats. Wait till the engine cools down some. Happy Motoring!
 
Does some one have a picture of the original quail motor meter? I have something on my car that does not look like the reproduction one I had on my last car. Its just a glass tube in the middle of the quail.
 
billybronco1 said:
Does some one have a picture of the original quail motor meter? I have something on my car that does not look like the reproduction one I had on my last car. Its just a glass tube in the middle of the quail.
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There never was an Original one made back in the A days.. Some one had a better idea along in the 1960s I think..
 
I ordered a repro a number of years ago from a Bob's Auto Parts in Illinois, I don't even know if it exists anymore. It didn't work as described above and I returned it and got a curt letter back and a reluctant refund. I'd hate to think this is the same Bob whose radiators are uniformly praised on the Barn.
 
ericr said:
I ordered a repro a number of years ago from a Bob's Auto Parts in Illinois, I don't even know if it exists anymore. It didn't work as described above and I returned it and got a curt letter back and a reluctant refund. I'd hate to think this is the same Bob whose radiators are uniformly praised on the Barn.
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Not even close !!
 
I use mine for looks only. Have a real temperature gauge in the upper radiator hose.
 
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I have an original boyce motometer that works well now . When I bought it it had been siting on its side and the fluid had divided in to segments , a good strong shakedown cured that - tap the bottom on something like a tire fore a bit and it will become a solid line again.
 
I have one on each of my Model As and they don't agree on temperature. It does give me a bit of an idea how things are going, though. I like the idea of the digital thermometer. I use a laser gun to know exactly what is going on. I guess a real temperature gauge is the better approach.
 
I have just joined up with the Ford Barn and was reading the MotoMeter
problems. I have a 30 Murray Touring Sedan and my MotoMeter registers
about 1/4 red at 40 to 45 MPH. It then drops to about 1/8 at 10 to 15 MPH
on the road that I live on.
 
This post is back to Bob Johnson. Please come back and let us know how you set up you motormeter to show a digital temperature reading.

I did try this using the Taylor 2516 meat thermometer. It is the right diameter to retrofit the standard motormeter. Unfortunately, these devices have an auto off feature to save battery life. I want to find one that you can manually turn on or off. Mine would only stay on for about 10 minutes, then turn off automatically. I was using it on my Model T. It runs hot by design. I found that my T was driving around at 208 - 210 F, so this is why it would start to boil at stop signs!

So Bob, let us all know what you are using for this modification, it is a neat idea! Ed
 
When you look at the one in my car from the Drivers seat you see nothing however when you look from center of the windshield it's working. I think I need to see if I can open it up and turn it a bit.

Ron
 
Ed,


Not all thermometers are the same. Taylor makes many different versions of this thermometer. They all look the basically the same in the same shape and style. There are some that have a F/C switch. There are some that have the auto off feature. The one I used was model 7851. I have also found that there are many other brands that are the same thermometer with different branding. I found a ChefStyle brand (model #30837) at Grocery Outlet for $1.99. I am not 100% sure but I think the auto off models all have packaging that states they are auto off. Look for one that does not say auto off. Or just turn it on and see it it auto shuts off.


Bob
 
My Motometer worked great on my Model T. The original motometer was designed to indicate temperature without being immersed in the coolant. The vapor would condense on the bulb to transfer heat and thus indicate temperature.

On my Model A the motometer does not register unless I am pushing the car up a long grade. Then it will go to just below the circle as the thermostat opens up completely. The temperature gauge inside the cab registers about 180 degrees when this happens.
 
I dipped the sensor of my repro moto meter (from a reputable vendor) in boiling water and it registered nothing at all. Looks nice, though.
 
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