The Ford Barn

my4dv8 · 03-05-2019, 09:18 PM

I am sure this topic has been covered before, but..
Ok so its a new 37 gauge purchased at a swap meet ,but it was custom made for extra length . My buddy needed the extra length to suit the 57 cadillac engine , yes its a hot rod but very traditional .
The gauge when tested in hot water does not show any red rising, for that matter when you look down at the base of the glass you cant see any red fluid even cold.
So the question is how do we find some fluid that works and open the tube or ends to add fluid.

deuce lover · 03-06-2019, 12:11 AM

You need to send it to a professional and have it recharged.2 that I know of replace the entire line.

ford38v8 · 03-06-2019, 12:23 PM

They are not being reproduced, so I don't know what you mean by "new".
I have not heard good reports from repaired units either.

rotorwrench · 03-06-2019, 02:10 PM

Repros are available for 37 through 39 but I can't vouch for the quality. The are a closed capillary type system so they aren't easy to refill plus the OEM red dye was poisonous so it's not available. The repro stuff doesn't stay red very well. The capillary tubes generally have to be replaced due to damage or corrosion on the originals. If your swap meet find wasn't sealed up properly then all the fluid either leaked out or evaporated.

my4dv8 · 03-06-2019, 03:43 PM

Thanks rotorwrench, so thats the bad news. I know who we purchased it off , a kiwi who lives in the US most of the year and it was built for a project that changed direction.
I do know there is red fluid available but the SG is too low at something like .86 . I think it needs to somewhere in the low 2 SG range , plus I imagine the quantity yo put in needs to be acurate, what ever that quantity might be.

FlatheadTed · 03-06-2019, 04:27 PM

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Straighten it out and hang it up side down ,you should see red fluid appearing ,also Robinson instruments in Auckland can likely repair it ,

rotorwrench · 03-06-2019, 07:45 PM

Don't get the fuel quantity hydrostatic fluid mixed up with the temperature sensitive fluid. They are two different fluids. I think the temperature sensitive systems use toluene or kerosene due to their boiling points. They may have also used isoamyl acetate but I don't know for sure what they used back then. It just had to be red and be able to take more temperature up to boiling point of water before it hit its own boiling point. If a person had a bunch of mercury then that would work too.

The ones that pressure up for a bourdon tube type gauge use diethyl ether but that is a different type of system. It turns heat into pressure to make the gauge needle move.

deuce lover · 03-06-2019, 10:27 PM

The Early Ford Store in San Dimas,CA has NOS ones but with the Caddy engine the line might not be long enough.I had mine redone in OH and the length I needed.So far works great.

Brian · 03-06-2019, 10:57 PM

35-36 temp gauges are longer than 37-39. RHD versions being longer again than LHD. As I found out after spending big money buying a NOS one from a barn member, only to find it was too short to fit my [RHD] 35. If you can find a RHD 35-36 temp gauge, you should be able to fit it into a 37 instrument body, as years ago i adapted a 37 temp gauge into a 35 fitted with 24 stud engine. And probably long enough to fit the Caddie.

51504bat · 03-07-2019, 10:42 AM

Willaimson's Instruments in Arkansas can probably get things sorted if you can't get things resolved closer to home.
www.williamsons.com

2018 E Front Ave, Chester, AR 72934
(479) 369-2551

03-05-2019, 09:18 PM	#1
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,111	New 37 temp gauge failed I am sure this topic has been covered before, but.. Ok so its a new 37 gauge purchased at a swap meet ,but it was custom made for extra length . My buddy needed the extra length to suit the 57 cadillac engine , yes its a hot rod but very traditional . The gauge when tested in hot water does not show any red rising, for that matter when you look down at the base of the glass you cant see any red fluid even cold. So the question is how do we find some fluid that works and open the tube or ends to add fluid. Last edited by my4dv8; 03-05-2019 at 09:23 PM.

03-06-2019, 12:11 AM	#2
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,305	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed You need to send it to a professional and have it recharged.2 that I know of replace the entire line.

03-06-2019, 12:23 PM	#3
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,644	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed They are not being reproduced, so I don't know what you mean by "new". I have not heard good reports from repaired units either. __________________ Alan

03-06-2019, 02:10 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed Repros are available for 37 through 39 but I can't vouch for the quality. The are a closed capillary type system so they aren't easy to refill plus the OEM red dye was poisonous so it's not available. The repro stuff doesn't stay red very well. The capillary tubes generally have to be replaced due to damage or corrosion on the originals. If your swap meet find wasn't sealed up properly then all the fluid either leaked out or evaporated.

03-06-2019, 03:43 PM	#5
my4dv8 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,111	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed Thanks rotorwrench, so thats the bad news. I know who we purchased it off , a kiwi who lives in the US most of the year and it was built for a project that changed direction. I do know there is red fluid available but the SG is too low at something like .86 . I think it needs to somewhere in the low 2 SG range , plus I imagine the quantity yo put in needs to be acurate, what ever that quantity might be.

03-06-2019, 04:27 PM	#6
FlatheadTed Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auckland Posts: 4,705	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Straighten it out and hang it up side down ,you should see red fluid appearing ,also Robinson instruments in Auckland can likely repair it , __________________ http://www.flatheadted.com Flathead Ted brake Floaters ,

03-06-2019, 07:45 PM	#7
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,426	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed Don't get the fuel quantity hydrostatic fluid mixed up with the temperature sensitive fluid. They are two different fluids. I think the temperature sensitive systems use toluene or kerosene due to their boiling points. They may have also used isoamyl acetate but I don't know for sure what they used back then. It just had to be red and be able to take more temperature up to boiling point of water before it hit its own boiling point. If a person had a bunch of mercury then that would work too. The ones that pressure up for a bourdon tube type gauge use diethyl ether but that is a different type of system. It turns heat into pressure to make the gauge needle move.

03-06-2019, 10:27 PM	#8
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern France Posts: 5,305	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed The Early Ford Store in San Dimas,CA has NOS ones but with the Caddy engine the line might not be long enough.I had mine redone in OH and the length I needed.So far works great.

03-06-2019, 10:57 PM	#9
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,832	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed 35-36 temp gauges are longer than 37-39. RHD versions being longer again than LHD. As I found out after spending big money buying a NOS one from a barn member, only to find it was too short to fit my [RHD] 35. If you can find a RHD 35-36 temp gauge, you should be able to fit it into a 37 instrument body, as years ago i adapted a 37 temp gauge into a 35 fitted with 24 stud engine. And probably long enough to fit the Caddie. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

03-07-2019, 10:42 AM	#10
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,015	Re: New 37 temp gauge failed Willaimson's Instruments in Arkansas can probably get things sorted if you can't get things resolved closer to home. www.williamsons.com 2018 E Front Ave, Chester, AR 72934 (479) 369-2551 __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.