The Ford Barn

bluedog · 01-11-2016, 11:03 PM

I am looking at installing a temperature gauge on my 1930 Phaeton and am after some thoughts on the two temperature pipes being offered. One is painted steel and one is stainless steel. Many seem to opt for the black painted one. Is there any drawback in going for the stainless steel one?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Greg

Mike V. Florida · 01-11-2016, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluedog

I am looking at installing a temperature gauge on my 1930 Phaeton and am after some thoughts on the two temperature pipes being offered. One is painted steel and one is stainless steel. Many seem to opt for the black painted one. Is there any drawback in going for the stainless steel one?
Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Greg

Nope.

The black ones tend to blend in with the background and the shinny ones stick out.

mike657894 · 01-12-2016, 02:11 AM

only detraction to stainless is that it probably costs more.

C26Pinelake · 01-12-2016, 04:06 AM

The black painted one from Snyders is actually powder coated. Wayne

bluedog · 01-13-2016, 02:53 AM

There also seems to be a difference in opinion around my parts as to whether you should install one. As mine is more a driver than a show car I think it maybe a wise addition.

burner31 · 01-13-2016, 11:04 AM

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And remember, you don't have to spend a lot of money for the gauge, got this one at speedway for around $20, comes with everything you need except the bracket, tube and 6v bulb.
I went with the black tube, to much chrome just looks tacky.

And don't forget the thermostat

jax55 · 01-13-2016, 12:02 PM

I have to say this is a nice looking gage, and I liked the temperature layout on the face so bought one. Both my cousin and I have had trouble with a couple of them not working right out of the box. We have both moved on to another gage.
Just an FYI.

Aok · 01-13-2016, 12:13 PM

I have the stainless one but it did not look right so I painted it black

H. L. Chauvin · 01-13-2016, 12:36 PM

FWIW: Just a few thoughts on Model A temperature gauges:

1. Unlike brand new engines, eighty (80 +) year old engines and radiators are not much different from (80+) year old seniors with artery blockage, corrosion, high blood pressure, and leaks.

2. A temperature gauge can monitor (80+) year old harmful circulatory blockage, coolant passage pressure, and leaks to avoid harmful strokes and heart attacks requiring hospitalization and expensive organ transplants.

3. Stainless steel combined with water is best for resisting corrosion.

4. For an easy aesthetic fix which may be easy on a Model A Judge's eyes ..... is to wrap the SS tube in black wire loom sold by Model A parts suppliers ..... let the Model A Judge's guess if it is a mechanical or electrical accessory ..... and don't let them know the real answer.

Just temperature gauge thoughts.

2manycars · 01-13-2016, 12:36 PM

I like stainless steel and have a stainless steel lower pipe. I beadblasted it to roughen it and painted it black. It will not rust out like the last one did. You could do the same with the top pipe for the guage sender.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 01-13-2016, 03:14 PM

Like the old Hot Rod term, "If it won't GO, CHROME IT"!
Bill W.

Rowdy · 01-13-2016, 03:20 PM

Planning on having a new probe put on one of my vintage SW gauge. Black faced with SS bezel. Will look right at home next to the vintage NuRex oil pressure gauge. Rod

CarlG · 01-13-2016, 04:30 PM

Here's mine:

TinCup · 01-13-2016, 04:38 PM

I went with this unit from NAPA. I like the old school SW gauge.

updraught · 01-13-2016, 06:58 PM

Don't know if it is an optical illusion, but the gauges from the vendors look like they have a shorter probe than the Speedway types.

jax55 · 01-13-2016, 07:04 PM

I can say that the Speedway version has a way smaller tube running from the probe to the gage... Easy to work with and based on two of these not working, (one right out of the box) possible why they didn't work. Tube breakage ? I don't know.

Jerry in Shasta · 01-13-2016, 07:56 PM

You can use a painted ignition coil bracket to mount the gauge under the dash panel.
JB

Drive Shaft Dave · 01-14-2016, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinCup

I went with this unit from NAPA. I like the old school SW gauge.

Yes that is a nice gauge .

Will N · 01-14-2016, 04:15 PM

When steam comes out, it's too hot. No steam, it's ok.

JOHN CT · 01-14-2016, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Will N

When steam comes out, it's too hot. No steam, it's ok.

By installing any type of water gauge would be a big distraction. I'll be staring at them all of the time instead of the road ! I would rather look at the people pulling out in front of me!!

01-11-2016, 11:03 PM	#1
bluedog Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 34	Temperature gauge thoughts I am looking at installing a temperature gauge on my 1930 Phaeton and am after some thoughts on the two temperature pipes being offered. One is painted steel and one is stainless steel. Many seem to opt for the black painted one. Is there any drawback in going for the stainless steel one? Any thoughts greatly appreciated. Greg

01-12-2016, 02:11 AM	#3
mike657894 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Bay City Michigan Posts: 1,050	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts only detraction to stainless is that it probably costs more.

01-12-2016, 04:06 AM	#4
C26Pinelake BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan / Ontario border, Sarnia, Ontario. 50 miles from Detroit and 150 from Toronto. Posts: 5,800	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts The black painted one from Snyders is actually powder coated. Wayne

01-13-2016, 02:53 AM	#5
bluedog Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 34	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts There also seems to be a difference in opinion around my parts as to whether you should install one. As mine is more a driver than a show car I think it maybe a wise addition.

01-13-2016, 12:02 PM	#7
jax55 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca Posts: 329	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts I have to say this is a nice looking gage, and I liked the temperature layout on the face so bought one. Both my cousin and I have had trouble with a couple of them not working right out of the box. We have both moved on to another gage. Just an FYI.

01-13-2016, 12:13 PM	#8
Aok Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Tx Posts: 502	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts I have the stainless one but it did not look right so I painted it black

01-13-2016, 12:36 PM	#9
H. L. Chauvin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 4,179	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts FWIW: Just a few thoughts on Model A temperature gauges: 1. Unlike brand new engines, eighty (80 +) year old engines and radiators are not much different from (80+) year old seniors with artery blockage, corrosion, high blood pressure, and leaks. 2. A temperature gauge can monitor (80+) year old harmful circulatory blockage, coolant passage pressure, and leaks to avoid harmful strokes and heart attacks requiring hospitalization and expensive organ transplants. 3. Stainless steel combined with water is best for resisting corrosion. 4. For an easy aesthetic fix which may be easy on a Model A Judge's eyes ..... is to wrap the SS tube in black wire loom sold by Model A parts suppliers ..... let the Model A Judge's guess if it is a mechanical or electrical accessory ..... and don't let them know the real answer. Just temperature gauge thoughts. Last edited by H. L. Chauvin; 01-13-2016 at 12:38 PM. Reason: typo

01-13-2016, 12:36 PM	#10
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts I like stainless steel and have a stainless steel lower pipe. I beadblasted it to roughen it and painted it black. It will not rust out like the last one did. You could do the same with the top pipe for the guage sender.

01-13-2016, 03:14 PM	#11
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts Like the old Hot Rod term, "If it won't GO, CHROME IT"! Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

01-13-2016, 03:20 PM	#12
Rowdy BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gothenburg Nebraska Just off I-80 Posts: 4,893	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts Planning on having a new probe put on one of my vintage SW gauge. Black faced with SS bezel. Will look right at home next to the vintage NuRex oil pressure gauge. Rod __________________ Do the RIGHT thing - Support the H.A.M.B. Alliance!!!!

01-13-2016, 06:58 PM	#15
updraught Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Australia Posts: 1,987	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts Don't know if it is an optical illusion, but the gauges from the vendors look like they have a shorter probe than the Speedway types.

01-13-2016, 07:04 PM	#16
jax55 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Santa Barbara, Ca Posts: 329	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts I can say that the Speedway version has a way smaller tube running from the probe to the gage... Easy to work with and based on two of these not working, (one right out of the box) possible why they didn't work. Tube breakage ? I don't know.

01-13-2016, 07:56 PM	#17
Jerry in Shasta Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: (Old)Shasta (Redding) CA Posts: 386	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts You can use a painted ignition coil bracket to mount the gauge under the dash panel. JB __________________ Connoisseur of Rust

01-14-2016, 04:15 PM	#19
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,117	Re: Temperature gauge thoughts When steam comes out, it's too hot. No steam, it's ok.