MacGyver Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 I broke the capillary tube on my temp gauge, _____!(insert explitive here) I'm struggling with the local "Big Brother" parts store to come up with one. I temporarily hooked up an aftermarket gauge but it really chaps my hide to have to look at it. Anybody have one they'd like to part with or know of a source? Thanks Mark '48 D-24c Quote
RobertKB Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 I believe gauges from other years and Chrysler makes will work. You would have to change the dial to suit your car but the actual working part should be the same. Quote
kevin h P15 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 If you want to try to fix it... A few years ago there was a post / link to repair broken tube. May actually be on this site. Basically buy a generic temperature sensor / gauge replacement. Must have jamb nut & sensor similar in size to plymouth to fit block. Drop the sensor bulb in iced water (this condenses the ether in the bulb to prevent escape). Cut new tube near back of new gauge, keep bulb & tubing (keep bulb in ice water until complete) . Solder a splice (piece of brass tube) to old P15 gauge near gauge back and new line (tubing). Test in boiling water & tweak needle pointer to match 212F. Will try to find the link back... kevin Quote
TodFitch Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 If you want to try to fix it... A few years ago there was a post / link to repair broken tube. May actually be on this site.Basically buy a generic temperature sensor / gauge replacement. Must have jamb nut & sensor similar in size to plymouth to fit block. Drop the sensor bulb in iced water (this condenses the ether in the bulb to prevent escape). Cut new tube near back of new gauge, keep bulb & tubing (keep bulb in ice water until complete) . Solder a splice (piece of brass tube) to old P15 gauge near gauge back and new line (tubing). Test in boiling water & tweak needle pointer to match 212F. Will try to find the link back... kevin Boy, you summarized the steps on my how to fix page. Except I have pictures. http://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 Will a 49 Dodge temp gauge work? I saw one on E-bay in the Old Plymouth Cafe. Check 'em out. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 I found a new 1941 Plymouth temp gauge......and was able to put on the face of a 47 Plymouth gauge......two small screws, as I recall. You have to take the plastic face loose from the metal backing plate to find them. The only difference was the cable on the 41 is longer than a 47......looped it under the dash. Quote
hkestes41 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 There is one on ebay right now for $180 bucks. I need one too but I'll be danged if I'm going to pay that much for one. Quote
TodFitch Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 There is one on ebay right now for $180 bucks. I need one too but I'll be danged if I'm going to pay that much for one. So spend $20 to $30 at your local auto supply for the items needed to repair your old one. http://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge Quote
CNP934DC Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 Hey, In the posted instructions with pictures, I don't see any advice to drain the coolant before installing the repaired bulb. Oversight or can this be done without draining? Quote
TodFitch Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 Hey,In the posted instructions with pictures, I don't see any advice to drain the coolant before installing the repaired bulb. Oversight or can this be done without draining? Not really an oversight because the write up is about fixing the component. However to install it you will need to at least partially drain the coolant. If I recall correctly, there are R&R (remove and re-install) instructions for the temperature gauge on the main pages for the P15-D24 side of this site. Quote
hkestes41 Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 So spend $20 to $30 at your local auto supply for the items needed to repair your old one. http://www.ply33.com/Repair/tempgauge Todd, I have looked at your instructions a few times. I looked for a donor gauge with s similar temp range but all I found were gauges with a much higher range. Would it make a difference to the reading of my repaired gauge? Quote
TodFitch Posted June 18, 2009 Report Posted June 18, 2009 Todd, I have looked at your instructions a few times. I looked for a donor gauge with s similar temp range but all I found were gauges with a much higher range. Would it make a difference to the reading of my repaired gauge? I believe that the "working fluid" in them is all the same. So the pressure/temperature curve should be okay. Basically the ether in the bulb tries to vaporize because of the heat from the engine. As it does so the pressure in the bulb and capillary rises. The dash unit is actually a pressure gauge. Since the new units use the same working fluid as the old units the relationship between temperature and pressure should be what you old dash unit is expecting. Newer engines can go to higher temperatures and so the pressure gauge mechanism on them are designed to go to higher pressures. Quote
MacGyver Posted June 18, 2009 Author Report Posted June 18, 2009 Once agian, thank you all for your suggestions. TodFitch, thanks for the detailed instructions and photos. I'll be sacrafice an aftermarket gauge and give your repair method and shot. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.