reading temp gauge

[52concord]

so how do i read this temp gauge?? mine usually stays in the middle, what temp is it running at if it stays in the middle?? its a 52 concord

[RobertKB]

so how do i read this temp gauge?? mine usually stays in the middle, what temp is it running at if it stays in the middle?? its a 52 concord

It's a small world. I know you took that picture off Ebay as I just bought that set of gauges and speedo as a spare set for my '51 Dodge D39 business coupe that is my next project..........an all Canadian transaction. The Canadian Dodges were basically Plymouths with Dodge trim. Same dash as the Plymouth also.

Regarding your question. Anywhere on the solid line should be great. Above that, getting kind of warm. I would guess that if you are running right in the middle you are about 160F if your gauge is accurate.

[Jerry Roberts]

In the middle it would be about 160 . All the way to the right would be 212 .

[greg g]

why not get a thermometer and put it in the radiator and read the actual degrees instead of guessing????

[52concord]

just wanted to know how the gauge works since their is no markings ha thanks guys im new to plymouths haha

[fatFreddie]

Plymouth had a non pressurized open coolant system up to the 1949 P-17, P-18 series. Starting with the 1949 second series a 4 lbs pressure cap was used and the cooling system was a sealed unit. All temperature gauges up to and including the second series 1949 modes had temperature markings on them..or on the glass face up to boiling water 212 degrees Now in 1949 Chrysler engineers found a problem...pressurized systems RAISED the boiling point of water every pound of pressure created in the cooling system, the boiling point of the water was raised by three degrees,

and the 1949 gauges were not functioning correctly...so they were redesigned for 1950 and the temperature markings disappeared being replaced with generic HOT or (H) and COLD or ©

Now for another lesson...over the years many original radiator caps were replaced on these cars with an INCORRECT pressure cap. A modern 16 pound cap placed on a 1951 Plymouth would raise the boiling point 48 degrees. The result of this is a bent BOURDON TUBE in the temperature gauge...basically the gauge needle never returns to COLD but stays in the middle of the gauge. This gauge malfunction can also happen if the engine was severely over heated, even with the proper pressure cap installed, as the gauge sensing bulb is located in the head and steam is much hotter that water.

[Alexander]

Excellent information Fred!