Temp Gauge again

[47heaven]

Okay...went down to G & G Mopar in Colton today to look for a NOS/used temp gauge and sending unit. I didn't see any '47-'48 gauges, but saw a 1942Plymouth gauge w/sending unit all intact. It looked the same, except the face was a little different, but that was no problem because I can switch the face. Anyway, I paid the guy his outrageous price and when I got home I compared it to the '47 gauge and everything looked right except the mounting plate in the back of the gauges. The holes on the '42 are still in the same place, but the distance between the two is farther than on the '47.

My question is if the '47 mounting plate can be disattached and put on the '42gauge. Again, there is a nut that seems to be holding it to the gauge unit itself. Can this task be done or do I risk damaging the newly bought unit? Any ideas or answers?

[47heaven]

Looking at a broken D24 gauge that I have, I don't see how the nut and mounting plate can come down the tube and clear the gland nut and bulb. Could probably loosen the nut and mount plate. Slide it down. Cut the plate with a dremel. Slide it off. Same on other gauge and swap.

Yeah, I was thinking that too, but my main concern is if I'd losened the nut would I have taken a chance and broken anything. That's a good idea though and looks like it may be my only option.

I also just noticed that the needle is longer on the 47, as well. Hmmmmmmm. I thought these gauges were all interchangeable during the 40's era.

[BobT-47P15]

I used a 41 Plymouth temp gauge. As I recall, all we did was change the

face. The back plate seemed to fit OK. Could you get measurements from your old backing plate for the holes and drill one or two new ones.

[Jerry Roberts]

It would be a good idea to test the NOS / used guage first in a tub of hot water and a thermometer . Others have found that after sitting on the shelf for 60 years that the ether has leaked out .

[Normspeed]

Darin, I'll be around on Sunday, give me a shout if I can help. I have a Dremel and several small diameter drill bits. And a BFH.

[Young Ed]

Darin I put a 46-48 Chrysler gauge in my car. I ran into the same issue you did. I put a small cut in my backing piece until you could spread it enough to slip it around the cable. Here's the 2 I switched back and forth.

[Mr. Belvedere]

I did the same, only my donor gauge came from a 1950 Chrysler, for my '54 Plymouth. I had to tweek the needle just a little to reed properly on my cars scale but it worked fine.

[47heaven]

Darin I put a 46-48 Chrysler gauge in my car. I ran into the same issue you did. I put a small cut in my backing piece until you could spread it enough to slip it around the cable. Here's the 2 I switched back and forth.

What did you do to make the needle longer? I figure that I just snip off the needle on the '42 gauge right where it starts to bend down and leave that to solder the '47 gauge needle to.

[Young Ed]

Those are just what the 2 needles looked like. I didn't mess with them.