TR2/3/3A TR3 Water Temp Gauge Core

[luke44]

Anybody have a water temp gauge core they want to sell? Or can you point me where to buy? Thanks in advance,

 

[PatGalvin]

Not to hijack this post but if anyone has experience with alternatives to rebuilding the TR3 temp gauge, I'd be interested in that as well. My gauge capillary tube rotted and broke.

Pat

 

[PeterK]

I bought a Massey Ferguson mechanical oil gauge from eBay to use as a donor for a TR3 repair, but I haven't had the time to do the swap.

We were just gifted Omaha Steaks that came packed in dry-ice too but I forgot! So please send crab stuffed sole and those apple flowers cuz' I need the dry ice.

 

[apbos]

Here is what I will be doing. https://www.tr-register.com.au/Files/technical/tempgauge.htm The sign shop next door has made a label for the gauge and I've purchased 5 gauges with the pointer going in the correct direction (read article) I'll check with Them next door in the am and if you would like a set to do your own let me know.

Paul

 

[dklawson]

I have no pointers on sources for donors or cores. However, in answer to Pat's question regarding capillary tube repair/replacement, it is possible and with some improvising and soldering skill you can do this yourself. The dry ice that Peter mentioned is great and some grocery stores (around here at least) will sell it to you. Failing that, the type of salt/ice bath used for homemade ice cream will work. However, monitor the temperature in the ice bath and don't start your repairs until the temperature is close to 0 oF

The repair method is described here:
https://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge

I have successfully repaired three gauges using this method. A fourth one I attempted to fix was a complete waste of time and I never should have attempted it. As a warning about the repairs... look at the gauge you want to repair. If it died because of capillary tube failure the needle will be sitting on its low temperature stop peg. If the gauge died for other reasons (like extreme overheating) the needle will be "stuck" somewhere off the low end. A gauge that is NOT sitting on its low end may (and likely does) have other issues requiring a lot of tinkering to calibrate correctly. I wouldn't bother.

The other warning is to prepare the tube ends carefully before soldering and minimize the time and amount of solder you apply. It's VERY easy to get so much solder on the splice tube that it wicks into the capillary tube and plugs it.

 

[TR3driver]

Not to hijack this post but if anyone has experience with alternatives to rebuilding the TR3 temp gauge, I'd be interested in that as well.

I just bought a cheap mechanical gauge at Pep Boys. Cost about $25, fits without modification. Doesn't really preserve the vintage look, but I've grown to like the 270 sweep enough that I haven't bothered to repair the original. Or maybe I'm just lazy !

 

[TexasKnucklehead]

I got an early TR4 temp guage that uses a sending unit (off ebay). Aside from replacing the tube with a wire and the added vlotage regulator under the dash, I think it will be hard to tell the difference. -though it may be as hard to find.

 

[luke44]

Hi Tex - I have seen that approach before - the big difference being thew wire in stead of the cap tube under the hood . But sure looks the same to me from inside the car! I agree - likely just as hard to find...no luck with a core so far...

 

[PeterK]

If you stil have the old gauge, you could remove the outer wire wrap and use it on the electrical wire to the sender. Makes under the hood look almost original.

 

[Steve.J]

If you stil have the old gauge, you could remove the outer wire wrap and use it on the electrical wire to the sender. Makes under the hood look almost original.

I have the same trouble with a damaged capilary on my 1958 TR3A. I have fitted a TR4 gauge with the sending unit It seemed to work fine on the test bench with a battery, kettle and IR thermomenter, but in the car the gauge slowly creeps up to full scal delection with the thermostat housing sitting at 185 . Do I need to fit the voltage stabilizer also for it to work properly ?????

 

[martx-5]

... Do I need to fit the voltage stabilizer also for it to work properly ?????

Yes. Moss and TRF have them in both positive and negative ground.

 

[sp53]

They do have that aftermarket clone gauge I see on eBay for 80.00 to 100.00; it looks like a pretty good copy. Sometimes the gauge rebuild people have gauges for sale without a core.

 

[PatGalvin]

I had mine rebuilt by West Valley Instruments. I think it was $160 and it came back looking new. Morris is responsive and turned it around within 10 days. My capillary tube had rotted and broken from the bulb. I'm glad I spent the money to do this. Now I'm going to send him my speedo for rebuild and calibration to the HVDA tranny. It will be worth it to me.
Pat

 

[mrv8q]

+1 on WVI.

 

[CJD]

I

Wow...280 degrees! You running a 4 banger or a reactor?

Stanley Steamer?