Original Amp Meter ID ?

Jon-Ohio

Senior Member
Is there any easy way of identifying an original Ford 'A' amp meter vs a replacement / repro meter ?

Thanks for any info

Jon in Ohio
 
First thing the inside parts are painted black.
next look at the back, the posts are held in place with "screws" that are round and have a slot on them. Let me see if I can find pics.

Notice how you can see the internal parts - repro
a20791613428a3e779e99b_m.JPG


You know what? this is even better, http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=86970&showall=1
 
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As far as I am aware, this pics are of an original ammeter.
Les.
 

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yup the one on the bottom is a reproduction. I can`t tell in the picture what color is the pointer. if it is white it to would be a reproduction
 
Originals have large black Bakelite screw down nuts, not metal ones.
Also brass internals & distinctive thin card gaskets [ with writing]behind the glass.
The originals had a short life & would have been replaced many times by after market ones. Most of the ones pictured are after market.
 
Those are all repops...

The "meter"(post 3), I believe, would pass...but not the bezel or face. That would
be the top, 3rd photo.
There were 2 styles of fonts, of letters.
The numbering is also incorrect, as well as the bezel.

Here is a photo of a correct ammeter...from "160B"
picture.php
 
Originals have silver ink. Reproductions have white ink. That to me is the easiest way to tell.
 
This is the inside of a original, notice the large round magnet inside the housing. I do not think any of the reproductions have the large round magnet.
30 coupe has it right, the magnet makes the difference. Also if the magnet is fliped around it will show reversed polarity.
 
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