Temperature Gauge Leak

shew01

shew01

Well-known member
I’m replacing an old temperature gauge with a new one, and I am using a Vintage Precision water neck so that I can have a thermostat closer to the engine head. However, this connection is going to leak. The brass adapter snugs into the water neck base fine, but the temperature gauge nut that “pins” the temperature probe to the adapter in the water neck bottoms out before the probe is sealed to the brass adapter.

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I can spin the probe by its aluminum end after the temperature gauge nut is fully tightened.

How can I get around this issue?

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chrs1961815 said:
Different adaptor or a longer nut?
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I don’t suppose a longer nut is an option. If I take it off of the temperature gauge assembly, it will destroy the temperature gauge.

I’m “green as grass” on this. Do adapters come in varying depths (for lack of a better term)?


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When I installed mine (with a mechanical gauge like yours) I had to turn the thermostat to find the position where it would then sit correctly in the housing.
 
Where did you get the new gauge? Maybe you should contact who you bought it from and see what they say. You probably are not the first person to have this issue.
 
Herb Concord Ca said:
When I installed mine (with a mechanical gauge like yours) I had to turn the thermostat to find the position where it would then sit correctly in the housing.
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I checked the thermostat before I installed the water neck. There is enough clearance between the probe and the thermostat. (The vendor cuts a slice off of the thermostat that comes with the water neck.)


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Did the adapter come with the gauge? If so it should work. What brand gauge? I always use SW gauges.
 
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I found an alternative adapter at O’Reilly’s.

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The one on the left came with the water neck, and the inside threads don’t go all the way to the bottom. The one on the right is threaded a little deeper, but it is not a tight seal either.

I found a couple of “O” rings at NAPA, and they seemed to work for the time being. (I was able to warm up the engine while the car is still on jack stands, and I didn’t see a leak.) However, I’m not convinced this is a long term fix. Once the car gets under load on the highway, it may leak.

I’ll called Speedway Motors (the temperature gauge supplier), but they are “experiencing high call volumes.” The automated call attendant eventually hung up on me after 24 minutes of being on hold.


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Ruth said:
I would try to find out why it is not fitting before using an O ring. I asked earlier, didn't an adapter come with the gauge? They usually do.

IF you are going to go the O ring route, check on McmMaster-Carr (or similar for the best O ring for your application). https://www.mcmaster.com/o-rings

This is the gauge I use. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Stew...rature-Gauge-Mechanical-2-1-16-Inch,7150.html
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Sorry, I didn’t see your post. This is my gauge.

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The adapter came with the water spout, not the temperature gauge. There is a second port in the water neck that would accept the probe without the adapter, but the probe is too long and hits the thermostat.

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shew01 said:
Sorry, I didn’t see your post. This is my gauge.

a272e3571f59c2b39d13818f338c1df2.jpg


The adapter came with the water spout, not the temperature gauge. There is a second port in the water neck that would accept the probe without the adapter, but the probe is too long and hits the thermostat.

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Click to expand...

I think you need to contact Speedway. It states in the gauge description "1/2" NPT adapter for installation is included - 3/8" NPT adapter is available separately as part number 1822370".
 
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Ruth said:
I think you need to contact Speedway. It states in the gauge description "1/2" NPT adapter for installation is included - 3/8" NPT adapter is available separately as part number 1822370".
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Yes, the 1/2” adapter is included (you cannot remove it without destroying the temperature gauge because the temperature gauge has ether sealed inside it and cannot be taken apart), and it does not fit the adapter that was included from the water neck vendor, and it doesn’t fit (very well) in the adapter I purchased locally yesterday.

As I posted earlier, I tried to contact Speedway, but call volumes are high.


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shew01 said:
Yes, the 1/2” adapter is included (you cannot remove it without destroying the temperature gauge because the temperature gauge has ether sealed inside it and cannot be taken apart), and it does not fit the adapter that was included from the water neck vendor, and it doesn’t fit (very well) in the adapter I purchased locally yesterday.

As I posted earlier, I tried to contact Speedway, but call volumes are high.


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Click to expand...


Maybe I’m incorrect. “Adapter” threw me. There was nothing in the package except the temperature gauge and a mount kit for the dash. It sounds like you think a suitable adapter should have come with the gauge, if I’m reading your post correctly. Nothing like that came in the package.


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1931 flamingo said:
Did you try contacting Vintage Precision??
Paul in CT
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Not yet. I discovered this after what I presumed to business hours.

That is one of the issues with buying parts from two vendors at the same time. It didn’t occur to me that there might be fitment issues when I placed the separate orders. This is not high technology stuff, it should just work. Alas, it doesn’t. It’s more like dueling with a computer and a software vendor. We get those kinds of issues at work. I work in IT. lol

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