Boyce Motometer Question - Success! - See #22

[Pilotdave]

Okay. Having examined a modern repro Quail, I now get how my Moto Meter opens: The female portion of the hinge is attached to a plate inside the knurled rim upper section of the base. That knurled section should be able to rotate to unlock from the lower section.

On my Moto Meter, the knurled section is seized and won't rotate. It's now soaking in a 50/50 mix of ATF and MMO doing penance for its sins. I'll give it a few days and see if it's freed up. Meanwhile I can work on getting the mercury to behave.

[Pilotdave]

Success! After an overnight bath in the solvent, I was able to rotate the knurled upper section and open the cap. I have removed the two socket cap screws and the small brass plates that secure the unit to the radiator neck. Both screws need to be replaced, but a local emporium should be able to meet that need. This is the good news.

On the other side of the ledger, one of the locking surfaces in the upper cap has been damaged, and as have the "ears" on the two "towers" in the lower section. The ears prevented the small brass plates from rotating when installing the unit into the radiator neck. I see no way to repair the broken locking surface, but I may be able to make replacement brass plates that rely on the shape of the towers to prevent rotation.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by Vern

A few years back, I bought a nice motometer with all the re liquid showing just like yours. As we drove home after the swap meet, my friend tapped the bottom of the meter on the side of his tennis shoe, for about 2 hours. The red all went down and has worked great since.

Hmm. Off to buy some tennis shoes now!!

[1931 flamingo]

Pilotdave: There's a repair kit made for your damaged parts for the Quail, should work on your meter. FWIW How's your health, I still say a prayer for you every night.

Paul in CT

[Pilotdave]

Hi Paul - thanks for the hint....and for the prayers. I'm doing well - in remission since mid-2012....and enjoying life.

Dave