Vintage Tire Gauge Question
- Thread starter The Geezer
- Start date
nkaminar
Well-known member
Take it to a watch maker or watch repair shop. There is a special tool that grabs the edge of the bezel all the way around and squeezes it. This compresses the bezel to remove it. There is also a special tool to pull the pointer off and some screws that attach the face plate. If you cannot find a watch maker you may be able to pry the bezel off with a sharp knife, like a #11 Exacto blade, but you stand the chance of damaging the bezel.
Maybe the best thing is to leave it untouched and put it in a display case, then go buy a modern gauge.
Maybe the best thing is to leave it untouched and put it in a display case, then go buy a modern gauge.
The Geezer
Senior Member
I finally was able to get the bezel off using an exacto and tapping with a jewelers hammer. It wasn’t a screw-on. Will be cleaning and calibrating it and put it back together like it was originally.
Thanks to all who offered suggestions. This forum is awesome!
Thanks to all who offered suggestions. This forum is awesome!
katy
Well-known member
Ditto, except I only have one that needs TLC.
The Geezer
Senior Member
I was able to get the bezel off with a small fine screwdriver. Also removed the 2 screws on the back. Then unscrewed the stem off. You can then wiggle the dial and mechanism out of the case. I took a soft artist paint brush, dipped it in alcohol and “scrubbed” the mechanism being careful not to get alcohol on the dial face (just in case it might smear or kill the printing!). Blew out any dirt or dust with an tire air compressor. I oiled all the pivot points with a very light sewing machine oil. I then put the mechanism back in the case and screwed the stem back on. The bezel was left off at this point. I checked the accuracy on a tire with known pressure. The gauge was off a bit so I popped off the pointer on the dial face after zeroing the pointer. After popping the pointer off I tested the known tire pressure again. I then put the pointer back on pointing at the known pressure. I rechecked a few more times and pressed the. Bezel back on. My Ford tire gauge now works just fine. Hope your repairs/cleaning goes well too!
The Geezer
Senior Member
No, could have done that, but didn't know it would have been of interest to others.
dropacent
Senior Member
We started with about 130 of these and have rebuilt and restored many over the last couple years. We have 30 remaining and can restore with the model A face, several early ford fantasy faces, and also can do special make autos. U S gauge made at least 25 different faces, as we have that many in our collection.
It does take special tools to open and close a case without damaging or scratching it. Glad to do that for free , but with postage at $5 minimum each trip it gets expensive.
It does take special tools to open and close a case without damaging or scratching it. Glad to do that for free , but with postage at $5 minimum each trip it gets expensive.
Last edited:
David in San Antonio
Well-known member
@DropACent - The emphasis on the 35 on the gauge faces answers one question at least..,