TR2/3/3A removing the temp gauge needle

[sp53]

This car came with a temp gauge that works, but has some rust issues. There is one spot on the tube that is missing some of its sheathing also. I was able to tease the silk screen with the calibration out of gauge can after I loosened the nut and wiggle and prayed, but I was lucky. I thought I would remember how to get the gauge dial in and out easily, but removing the silk screen dial was much harder than I remember. I hoping someone remembers the trick. Do I need to bend the needle up a little or does the needle fish in through the slot once I find the sweet spot?

On the little spot that is bear of the tube I might try to smear a little JB in line to make it look whole then paint the tube silver because of the rust? The ugliest part of the tube is at the firewall where the coils are.

If I remember correct, the needle pulls straight off? I have painted some oil gauge needles in the past, but it has been a while.

Anyways, this old gauge is fragile and getting it cleaned up, into the car, around the heater, under the dash will take some patients. Love and hate this stuff. Any helpful ideas much appreciated.

steve

 

[CJD]

Hey Steve! I have never removed the needle farther than you have it now. I think it is riveted to the little brass bearing assembly and I’ve never tried to separate it. I sanded and painted it like you have it. You do have to bend the needle outward a good bit to thread it back through the face. Once through just press it back down into place again.

 

[dklawson]

The TR3 gauges are older than most I have worked on. However, if I remember correctly the movement is held in the case by a cylindrical brass spanner nut on the stem with the capillary tube. When you remove that nut and slide the movement out of the case it should be easier to remove and install the gauge face without damaging the needle.

If you don't have to remove the needle, don't. When you place the movement back in the case (presumably with a repainted needle) you can tweak the needle position by gentle twisting it to set the calibration.

I would repair the spring sheath a bit differently. I would visit the hardware store and find an extension spring with similar wire gage diameter and similar outside diameter. Pull that spring to overextend it until the coils are open with spacing about matching that of the existing sheath. Cut off about an inch of the new, stretched spring and carefully wind it onto/into the old sheath so it spans the break. It will be a little stiff where the splice is but not as stiff as filling with epoxy. Clean and paint as you see fit.

Again, I have not worked on TR3 specific gauges but they should be similar to ones I have worked on.

 

[CJD]

Doug is right...he jogged my memory! The entire movement will unscrew, and you can slide it out of the case. The case will slide up the capillary, but will not come off because of the bulb nut. But, sliding it out of the case may help give access to more easily paint the needle.

 

[sp53]

In the past I have removed oil gauge needles and painted them; it could be a dream, but I think it is a memory. I remember having a discussion with my old buddy Barry Nelson who used to have the eBay name Mr.tr3 if anyone remembers. Anyways he was the one who told me that the temp gauge and oil pressure gauge are basically the same gauge and he was correct, but like you said John I can slid the can down the line but not separate it, so basically there is going to be some cleaning in place happening. Which makes me think, I should leave the needle alone like you guys suggested and paint in place rather than taking a chance and breaking it. I like your idea Doug about how to recalibrate. It is safer than mine. I was going to mark a spot on the can where the needle was for a reference than push it back on after I painted it if I got it off. Plus the idea about putting a piece of spring would be better.

A few years ago when I was working on an Oil gauge, someone on the forum suggested the needle pulls off, and it did just a tack or speedo gauge. But yeh like you guys said, I need to clean it with the tube on anyway.

steve

 

[dklawson]

On a lot of pressure/oil gauges (like the oil/pressure combo gauges) you can pull the needle off. However, the movement shown in you picture doesn't appear to show the same type of needle connection. I'd hate to see anything happen to mess up your gauge's needle.