What do you think?

[Blu Dice]

My '52 w/ 8AB - do you think an after market electric temp gauge would work using the stock sending unit - or should I back off the pain meds?

 

[JSeery]

No. Not sure what it would do. Modern gauges work on resistance signals from the sender. Early Ford senders used a set of point that open and close to provide a pulse signal. In the original gauges this pulse regulated the current flow through the gauge which in turn heated a bi-metal strip to move an indicator. So, my first guess would be no, it would not work.

Now the question would be, why would you want to try it anyway? A sender that matched the gauge you are wanting to use is fairly cheap and easy to install, so what would be the point?

 

[Blu Dice]

Well too much time on hand to think - was thinking of a quick simple way of having 2 real gauges instead of the dash thing. I guess the best/smart thing is to install a couple of real SW gauges under the dash - huh?

 

[JSeery]

You can always try it. Worse case is you damage the gauge or the original sender. Not sure what would happen, the original sender will not work without current flowing through it, you are basically current matching between the original sender and the original gauge. Not sure what the modern gauge would do in the circuit.