The Ford Barn

DougVieyra · 07-14-2014, 01:33 AM

After 50 years of sitting on the shelf, I think I am ready to mount my original MotoMeter water temperature gauge in the Dunn Aristocrat Dash Panel that also has been sitting on a shelf in my garage.

My question is: which is the better place to install the probe bulb? Some like the new cast iron 'Goose Neck' Water Outlet with the hole already drilled and tapped. Others have put it in the rubber outlet hose that leads to the radiator neck.

Aside for the fact that the iron 'goose neck' cost considerably more than the rubber hose with inlet - which would give a more accurate reading ? Are there any other considerations I should be aware of ?

My own thinking is that the location, as regards the actual water temperature, does not really matter - both give much the same reading.
But what I also think, is that I might be better off with the probe installed in the hose, simply because it would be closer to the Radiator Support Rod that would be carrying the wire sensor, and that would reduce (only a little, I know) some risk of the wire sensor being 'under foot' while doing routine 'fiddling' in the engine compartment.

One other element into the question, is that I also want to install a thermostat in the upper water outlet hose. As the '28-'29 hoses are shorter than the longer '30-'31 hoses, I am concerned that the shorter hose of my '28 will not allow me enough room for BOTH the temperature probe AND the thermostat. Have any of you fellas with the shorter hose been able to fit BOTH thermostat AND the Temp. Probe into the hose?

I know that there is a valid school of thought that says 'Why bother, you don't need it". And while that is true, like so many of the things we do with our Ford Model a - it ain't about 'need', it is about 'want'. I have had these two items - Aristocrat Dash Panel and the original MotoMeter dash gauge - for so long, that I have been 'hankering' to put them into service for decades !

So, fellas, I would like to solicit YOUR thoughts on the matter of where to install the probe bulb. Any input would be appreciated.

07-14-2014, 01:33 AM	#1
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,733	Recommended Location of Temp. Probe After 50 years of sitting on the shelf, I think I am ready to mount my original MotoMeter water temperature gauge in the Dunn Aristocrat Dash Panel that also has been sitting on a shelf in my garage. My question is: which is the better place to install the probe bulb? Some like the new cast iron 'Goose Neck' Water Outlet with the hole already drilled and tapped. Others have put it in the rubber outlet hose that leads to the radiator neck. Aside for the fact that the iron 'goose neck' cost considerably more than the rubber hose with inlet - which would give a more accurate reading ? Are there any other considerations I should be aware of ? My own thinking is that the location, as regards the actual water temperature, does not really matter - both give much the same reading. But what I also think, is that I might be better off with the probe installed in the hose, simply because it would be closer to the Radiator Support Rod that would be carrying the wire sensor, and that would reduce (only a little, I know) some risk of the wire sensor being 'under foot' while doing routine 'fiddling' in the engine compartment. One other element into the question, is that I also want to install a thermostat in the upper water outlet hose. As the '28-'29 hoses are shorter than the longer '30-'31 hoses, I am concerned that the shorter hose of my '28 will not allow me enough room for BOTH the temperature probe AND the thermostat. Have any of you fellas with the shorter hose been able to fit BOTH thermostat AND the Temp. Probe into the hose? I know that there is a valid school of thought that says 'Why bother, you don't need it". And while that is true, like so many of the things we do with our Ford Model a - it ain't about 'need', it is about 'want'. I have had these two items - Aristocrat Dash Panel and the original MotoMeter dash gauge - for so long, that I have been 'hankering' to put them into service for decades ! So, fellas, I would like to solicit YOUR thoughts on the matter of where to install the probe bulb. Any input would be appreciated. Last edited by DougVieyra; 07-14-2014 at 01:50 AM.