Temperature Gauge Leak
 

I’m replacing an old temperature gauge with a new one, and I am using a Vintage Precision water neck so that I can have a thermostat closer to the engine head. However, this connection is going to leak. The brass adapter snugs into the water neck base fine, but the temperature gauge nut that “pins” the temperature probe to the adapter in the water neck bottoms out before the probe is sealed to the brass adapter.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8829e651a7.jpg

I can spin the probe by its aluminum end after the temperature gauge nut is fully tightened.

How can I get around this issue?

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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Different adaptor or a longer nut?

Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

I don’t suppose a longer nut is an option. If I take it off of the temperature gauge assembly, it will destroy the temperature gauge.

I’m “green as grass” on this. Do adapters come in varying depths (for lack of a better term)?


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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Would an “O” ring work?


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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

When I installed mine (with a mechanical gauge like yours) I had to turn the thermostat to find the position where it would then sit correctly in the housing.

Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Where did you get the new gauge? Maybe you should contact who you bought it from and see what they say. You probably are not the first person to have this issue.

Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

I checked the thermostat before I installed the water neck. There is enough clearance between the probe and the thermostat. (The vendor cuts a slice off of the thermostat that comes with the water neck.)


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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Speedway.


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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Did the adapter come with the gauge? If so it should work. What brand gauge? I always use SW gauges.

Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

That's what I would try. Should fill the gap just fine. With it being an non pressurized system I would think it would hold up.

Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Maybe something like this would work, they come in different sizes.
https://www.amazon.com/Parker-Degree.../dp/B077NHZ98C

Temperature Gauge Leak
 

I found an alternative adapter at O’Reilly’s.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...4822362965.jpg

The one on the left came with the water neck, and the inside threads don’t go all the way to the bottom. The one on the right is threaded a little deeper, but it is not a tight seal either.

I found a couple of “O” rings at NAPA, and they seemed to work for the time being. (I was able to warm up the engine while the car is still on jack stands, and I didn’t see a leak.) However, I’m not convinced this is a long term fix. Once the car gets under load on the highway, it may leak.

I’ll called Speedway Motors (the temperature gauge supplier), but they are “experiencing high call volumes.” The automated call attendant eventually hung up on me after 24 minutes of being on hold.


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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

I would try to find out why it is not fitting before using an O ring. I asked earlier, didn't an adapter come with the gauge? They usually do.

IF you are going to go the O ring route, check on McmMaster-Carr (or similar for the best O ring for your application). https://www.mcmaster.com/o-rings

This is the gauge I use. https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Stewa...Inch,7150.html As you can see it comes with the proper adapter fitting.

Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Sorry, I didn’t see your post. This is my gauge.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...8f338c1df2.jpg

The adapter came with the water spout, not the temperature gauge. There is a second port in the water neck that would accept the probe without the adapter, but the probe is too long and hits the thermostat.

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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

I think you need to contact Speedway. It states in the gauge description "1/2" NPT adapter for installation is included - 3/8" NPT adapter is available separately as part number 1822370".

Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Yes, the 1/2” adapter is included (you cannot remove it without destroying the temperature gauge because the temperature gauge has ether sealed inside it and cannot be taken apart), and it does not fit the adapter that was included from the water neck vendor, and it doesn’t fit (very well) in the adapter I purchased locally yesterday.

As I posted earlier, I tried to contact Speedway, but call volumes are high.


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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Did you try contacting Vintage Precision??
Paul in CT

Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Maybe I’m incorrect. “Adapter” threw me. There was nothing in the package except the temperature gauge and a mount kit for the dash. It sounds like you think a suitable adapter should have come with the gauge, if I’m reading your post correctly. Nothing like that came in the package.


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Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Not yet. I discovered this after what I presumed to business hours.

That is one of the issues with buying parts from two vendors at the same time. It didn’t occur to me that there might be fitment issues when I placed the separate orders. This is not high technology stuff, it should just work. Alas, it doesn’t. It’s more like dueling with a computer and a software vendor. We get those kinds of issues at work. I work in IT. lol

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Re: Temperature Gauge Leak
 

Just get yourself a “O” ring.