Mounting mech temp gauge?

[52Cadillac]

I'd like to mount the gauge so it's on a hinge that I could swing up and behind dash, hidden. Swing back down for driving. The top of bracket with U is where its mounted to under dash screw.
Any ideas on type of hinge device to use, and paint same as dash color?
Thanks, Mike

[curly]

I don't think the bourdon tube on a mechanical gauge is going to last very long if it gets a lot of flexing like it would get from a hinge mount.  An electric sender is only a few dollars more and is preferable to the mechanical.(IMO)

I mounted an extra oil gauge in the ash tray of my 59.  I bored a hole in a piece of pressboard for the gauge and then trimmed the pressboard to be a very snug fit in the ashtray. I removed the ashtray insert and put the wood into the tray, wired the gauge. When I am driving, I open the ashtray, close it when showing.

I saw a clever idea at a car show a few years ago. I believe it was a 1952, but it might have been 50 or 51.  The owner mounted the dash speaker grill on a piano style hinge and used magnetic push/latch at the top. When he pushed the top of the grill, it would open like a tailgate. He had vintage air control, xm radio and gauges mounted back there.

T Lewis

[52Cadillac]

Hey Curley thanks for the tips. Ill check out the elec sender. If I can get it to fit in the ashtray that's a solution. Gotta find a small one. That gets me to thinking.
Great tip on the speaker grill to mount controls, etc. what did he do for a speaker?
Thanks, Mike

[curly]

Mike.
I saw the car 2 years ago, I don't remember what he did for a speaker. Since he had an XM radio mounted behind the speaker grill, I am going to guess he had hidden speakers somewhere else in the car.  The car looked stock, wasn't a modified or street rod.

T Lewis

[52Cadillac]

Thanks.
Mike

[Richardonly]

Mike,

T. Lewis is correct.  The constant bending of the tubing will distort and then fail from giving you the correct temp reading.

I kept the original hooked up and added (my flathead has an additional port for adding an additional temp gauge.) one like yours to the left of the steering column, near the hand brake.  Yours may have an additional port somewhere also.  So I run 2 gauges.

You may want to just use a srong type of clip for everyday use, and for shows, (CLC ONLY or regional) take clamp off an GENTLY tuck behind dash.  At the NERCLC, they made no mention of this gauge, nor the addition of an electric fuel pump.  For local shows, they have no idea of what they are looking at, nor do they care about minor (or in many cases, major) mods to an original car.

Do not use the hinge!  (My 2 cents worth.)

Richard

[Richardonly]

A pic of location

[52Cadillac]

Thanks Richard. A small clamp is good thought. Gauge isn't very heavy.

The original gauge reading is bad. I Had put in a new 6v sender. Installed reducer, etc. later it led me to chase a problem all over with a slow overheat problem that wasn't real.
So here I am with an awful looking aftermarket temp gauge that appears to work. Temp now averages 190, and as much as about 220 when heat index was 105 and idling for a while.

Which leads to another ? Curly mentioned. Do I need an oil pressure gauge, besides original?
Thanks, Mike

[52Cadillac]

Just saw pic. Is that a one of those slide to open loop that attaches around the the E. brake? Then just clamps to gauge?
Thanks, Mike

[Gene Beaird]

Look at Speedhut:

http://www.speedhut.com/gauges/Temperature-Gauges-2-1-16-inch/37:1|1:11/i=96&p=1&sortby=customer_price

They make customizable gauges.  I've seen gauges in fonts that match the ones in the car already.  They have electric temp gauges down to 2-1/16" diameter.  I'm running one of their tachs in our C Prepared autocross car and really like it. 

[curly]

I am only running the oil gauge because I do not trust the idiot light on the dash.  I had a problem a few months ago where my newly rebuilt engine snapped a pushrod and the lifter popped out of its bore.  That had to have had a major effect on oil psi, but my warning light never came on. I drove quite a ways like that,with no other symptom than a missfire.  I added the gauge for peace of mind.

T Lewis

[52Cadillac]

Gene, looks ok, high $$ product.

Curly, I see. i think I would've installed one as well. And may do so in the future. We drive the Cad out of town frequently.

I don't understand the diff between mech and electric. Electric is more reliable/accurate?
Thanks, Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The advantage of the Electric Gauges is that they can be mounted anywhere, with no having to worry about the capillary tube/s being compromised.

Especially if you are going to be constantly moving them.

Bruce.

[Gene Beaird]

It depends on exactly what you order.  The tach we got was just a little more than other manufacturer's tachs (Mallory, Accel, etc.), but the one SpeedHut sells was highly-customizable.  We got our choice of backlight (LED), adjustable rev limit alert, the font we wanted to use for the face, as well as the color of the face, and custom lettering on the tach face (we added "Look Ahead" a regular reminder for autocross drivers) all for just about the price of any of the other manufacturers who don't offer such options. 

Gauges these days, especially the electric ones, are pretty expensive, IMHO.  If I have to replace any more, I'll be looking at an all-in-one option like a Stac, because after buying all the parts, you're probably looking at a 20% premium over the separate gauges and sending units and wiring.  But that's just me.

Gene, looks ok, high $$ product.

Curly, I see. i think I would've installed one as well. And may do so in the future. We drive the Cad out of town frequently.

I don't understand the diff between mech and electric. Electric is more reliable/accurate?
Thanks, Mike

[Richardonly]

Mike,

The holder for the temp gauge came with it for about $20.00 total.  I bought it at Advanced Auto Parts, but they also have them at Walmart and pretty much any auto store.

My car being different, has a 2 piece section on the dash where you see it located.  I merely loosened a couple of screws, put the top piece into the space, and retightened the screws.  Not sure how your dash is.  You may have to drill a hole or two and if you could find a wingnut with enough clearance, use them, or again, maybe a small clip.  As you know they weigh almost nothing. 

Just be careful with the tube line, as if it bends, it is junk.

Also, a tube line for the oil preassure gauge can be troublesome.  It carries oil in it and if there is a leak in the car, it goes onto your carpet.  Thus, an electric is better for this.

Richard

[pauldridge]

I hate aftermarket gauges under the dash as much as anyone, but after countless failed attempts to get my stock gauge to work with the converted 12V system (yes, even with voltage-reducing resistors.. and it never worked with 6V either), I finally admitted defeat and installed an under-dash unit.  After much research, I stumbled onto this brand:  EQUUS as being the only one I could find with a small 1-1/2" diameter.. it's electric, and backlit:

I custom-fabricated the smallest mounting bracket possible from aluminum plate and mounted it right next to my heater controls.  The pilot light on the bracket face is for the backup lights I installed with manual switch, so I don't get stopped again for shining a white spotlight out the rear of my car!

This gauge has been very accurate, and available through Amazon, for just $33.00, including the sending unit (of course, it's 12 volt)  Here's the Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Equus-8162-Electric-Water-Temperature/dp/B001QJBDJ6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371864955&sr=8-1&keywords=equus+8162

[52Cadillac]

Bruce, understood.

Gene, sound good. I wonder if I can get a gauge or wire one to flash the backlit when temp gets to certain point.

Richard, yeah mine came with an arm bracket. Yesterday I temp attached to a screw holding top control mech, near my left knee. It looks ok, just not what I'm looking for. I like the idea of hidden gauges, but what's the diff if you have to use them anyway(except for car shows). One loose screw and its stuffed under dash. Well maybe two when I'm sitting in her.

Paul, I went through the same with the 52. Converted to 12v, using reducers, etc. It seemed to work at first. Then a slow rise in temp. That sent me on a long expedition looking elsewhere. Oh boy.
I'm with ya, time to move on and make do. The white gauge looks good, but I'll look at the black and see what's available. This is the smallest one I've seen.

BUT I WAS thinking if I could find a 53 12v temp gauge and replace my 52 6v temp gauge that may be a solution. I know they share a lot of parts, but will it fit in my 52 instrument cluster?
Thanks, Mike

[TJ Hopland]

How about something like this?



http://www.digi-panel.com/

I have not used one myself but looks like a pretty good option.  Its available without the trans temp if you don't care about that.  I don't remember if it has a connector on the back but seems like if it does not have one that I read that they can make one so it could be easily removed for shows.  One of the nice features is it uses a metal temp sensor for coolant so you don't have to alter your original or make a new hole. 

[52Cadillac]

TJ, that would work, but looks pretty modern. Could put her in glovebox for easy hide, and set alarm for desired temp. About 6" long X 3.5"deep X 1.5 h. A bit on pricey side 215 shipped with the 3gauge setup, their minimum. I really only need one or two gauges.

A single vintage appearing gauge with an alarm would be ideal.
Thanks, Mike