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TR2/3/3A Original T3A Temperature Gauge

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Tugboat

Tugboat

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Hey Folks,

What is the current skinny on the original TR3A temperature gauge? I know that there are various places that will rebuild your original but I seem to have lost that. I don't want to go with the electrical gauge used for the TR4 (that is what I have and I don't trust the readings). Is it possible to buy a replacement? Your thoughts appreciated.

Mike
 
If you want it to look original, then pretty much your only choice is to have one rebuilt. Lots of places do it, likely there is one in your area. Around here, two choices are :
West Valley Auto Electronics (was WV Instrument Specialists)
19314 Vanowen St.
Reseda, CA 91335
818-758-9500
https://www.westvalleyautoelectronics.com

and

North Hollywood Speedometer & Clock Co.
6111 Lankershim Blvd.
North Hollywood, CA 91606
Phone 818-761-5136
Fax 818-761-4857
https://www.nhspeedometer.com/

(I had some more, but can't find them at the moment.)

If you don't care about appearance, then there are a variety of aftermarket gauges that will fit and work. For example this one will fit directly into the dash & Tstat housing. The only modification needed is to hook up the line for the light.
51C8Z59VF9L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

https://www.amazon.com/Sunpro-CP7975-Mechanical-Water-Temperature/dp/tags-on-product/B00029JXQ6

But the TR4 gauge should work fine, if you also include a voltage stabilizer. That's what I use now.
 
There has been several listing on Ebay of a "clone" that looks very close to original. Other option is to rebuild a used one or suffer the looks of a aftermarket which are readily available. I'm using a cheap A/M (20.00) until I get my original rebuilt. Originals do come up on ebay occasionally.
 
Kleykamp said:
There has been several listing on Ebay of a "clone" that looks very close to original. Other option is to rebuild a used one or suffer the looks of a aftermarket which are readily available. I'm using a cheap A/M (20.00) until I get my original rebuilt. Originals do come up on ebay occasionally.
Click to expand...

I bought one of those clones. IIRC, it was about $75. It does look very much like the original with the exception of the needle. It's a bit thinner and pivots from a hole in the top rather then swing through an arced slot. Also, there is a separate hole in the back for a light bulb rather then being lit externally through the slots around the casing. The font is also slightly different, but I think it's a reasonable alternative unless you're looking for originality.

I still have my original that I will eventually have rebuilt, but for now, the clone looks like it belongs.
 

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For the very crafty (or optimistic) there are instructions on the web for grafting the magic tube from a replacement gauge to an original gauge that has been cut. Uses a bowl of ice and a supply of ether.
 
I did repair my original gauge using the procedure outlined in this link. It worked for about two years, and then the soldered repair joint gave out...most likely from vibration. I've decided to send it out for repair...one of these days. For the time being, I have the clone.
 
I do not know this for sure, but one day while talking to some old school tr3 guys. They said that the oil gauge and the water gauge are basically the same gauge and the inner workings can be exchanged.
 
sp53 said:
...the oil gauge and the water gauge are basically the same gauge and the inner workings can be exchanged.
Click to expand...

Seems unlikely to me.

<span style="font-style: italic">Okay, I started to explain why... but decided it was easier to just say it seems unlikely.</span>
 
They probably are the same movement. Certainly the same type of movement; and according to Mike Moore, it takes 100 psi to drive the temp gauge to full scale (which of course is the same as the oil gauge).
https://mgaguru.com/mgtech/dash/dt102a.htm
 
I've been fooling with TR3 gauges for a few years...This person on eBay that
makes up the clone temp gauge has done an good job of replicating the "original" look for a fair price. Does anyone have an opinion of the accuracy of this clone?? For $75.00 + if it doesn't work properly is no bargain !!
Frank
 
As I stated earlier, I have one of those clones and it works properly. When I got it, I put the bulb in boiling water, and it registered 212°F.
 
Hey all,

I will concur with martx-5....just recently I was in a position to either have my gauge rebuilt which was about 130.00 for the cheapest place or buy the clone as shown above for 75.00. I decided to go with the clone and I am pleasantly surprised with it. If you are really looking you can tell it is a bit different but it blends well with all the other gauges. It works properly as it should. So if your not looking to impress judges but don't want it to stick out like a sore thumb and want to save some money I would recommend the clone.
 
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