TR2/3/3A TR-3 water temp guage

Ok I finally located a Smith/Jager water temp guage minus the capallary tube for my TR-3
I know that the tube can be replaced and have even went as far as to do an inquiry.
I was quoted $225.00 for a rebuild, replace the capillary tube and calibration.
Question one is. ..... is this a reasonable price?
Question two is. ..... In the Moss Parts magazine the diagram shows the capillary tube going around the heater assembly is this necessary? If so .... does anyone have any idea how long the capillary tube should be in order to properly install it like the original factory installation?
Question three is ........ any suggestions as to alternate places to inquire for this guage rebuild?
Kerry
1956/7 Tr-3 Smallmouth TS 12909 L.O.
{manufactured in 56 and titled in 57 what do I call it? A 56 or a 57 ?}

I had mine rebuilt by Nisonger a number of years ago. I don't recall the cost but I do remember that I thought it reasonable at the time. I don't know how expensive the tube might be, but I'm sure Nisonger could provide it.

There's a place in the SoCal Valley that rebuilds them; they're listed in the Moss catalogs. 2 years ago, they rebuilt the one in my '59 TR3A. Since they were only 10 minutes away from my work, they were a no-brainer to try out... And it works great. ISTR is was $150 or $165; they supplied a new capillary tube. I recommend them!

They are expensive to rebuild...that I know!

I have seen a procedure for repairing these at home -- a real 'Mr Wizard' project with ice & ether. Donor for the tube is a capillary gauge supposedly available at PepBoys.

Too involved to detail here but some Googling or a look in the Forum archives should reveal the process.

BTW -- that tube is a looong sucker. Yes, they ran it around the heater but I know of no reason why this is necessary.

Check the Knowledge Base
for an idea!!!! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif

You can repair this gauge yourself for less then $20. I've done it and it works. I got a donor capillary temp guage from Pep Boys for $16. I then followed the procedure at this site. Essentially you use the tube and ether bulb from the donor , and with a sleeve, you solder it onto the old gauge. To keep the ether in the bulb, it's put into a pot that has ice, salt and some water. I measured the temperature of the ice slurry, and it was about zero degrees F...cold enough to keep the ether in. The gauge works fine, and is dead on accurate.

Edit: Here's a link to the thread from last year when I found the repair procedure and decided to try it.

I just go my TR4 Oil pressure gauge repaired here https://www.paspeedo.com/
The total with shipping was $156.00. Took less than one week (but I'm in No, Cal,) Works wonderfully. Free estimates, but they want to see the guage before they will quote a price.

Art, Excellent link. Don't know how I missed it before. I have the original temp guage from my conversion article. In the intrest of originality I'd really like to keep a capillary tube setup. I will definatly be trying that procedure.
Kaizen!!! (continuous improvement) Might have ro re-do the KB article.

Just as a point of interest, here is an original temp gauge on e-bay that has a buy-it-now price of $380. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/shocked.gif

$380.00 Is a little pricy for me! I`ll be trying the "Home remedy" repair also. Thanks for the info too !
The car currently has a working SW guage in it, Possibly a donor.
Now if I could just find the grill surround trim.
Kerry
56 Tr-3 TS 12909 L.O.