1949 3600 temp gauge not working

[Coach529]

For some reason my temp gauge is no longer working.

It had worked in the past.....but lately I have not ran it long enough to raise the engine temp.

Last night I ran it for quite awhile in the driveway and the needle never moved. I do not have a IR gun to check it.....but it was definitely warm enough to move the needle.

Stock gauge, stock 216.

Any suggestions?

[dubie]

did you check all your connections? Maybe it has a bad ground? could be time to change the probe and wire

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by dubie

did you check all your connections? Maybe it has a bad ground? could be time to change the probe and wire

It is not an electric gauge.

[coralhead]

Did you get a kink in the tube under the dash?

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by coralhead

Did you get a kink in the tube under the dash?

I do not think so. I really have not been working under there.

How does the system work?

[mechanixman]

It's essentially a thermometer.
The air in the end heats up and expands and pushes the air up the line to the gauge, eventually moving the needle.
If you want to test it, get a benzomatic torch, and lightly heat it up. The needle should move pretty quickly. If you have a block in the copper line, you can find it by making sure the gauge is cool first, then heating it up from the probe all the way up the line. When you see a sudden rise, you know the line is bad right there.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

It's essentially a thermometer.
The air in the end heats up and expands and pushes the air up the line to the gauge, eventually moving the needle.
If you want to test it, get a benzomatic torch, and lightly heat it up. The needle should move pretty quickly. If you have a block in the copper line, you can find it by making sure the gauge is cool first, then heating it up from the probe all the way up the line. When you see a sudden rise, you know the line is bad right there.

Thanks man.....I will report back!!

[coralhead]

Originally Posted by mechanixman

It's essentially a thermometer.
The air in the end heats up and expands and pushes the air up the line to the gauge, eventually moving the needle.
If you want to test it, get a benzomatic torch, and lightly heat it up. The needle should move pretty quickly. If you have a block in the copper line, you can find it by making sure the gauge is cool first, then heating it up from the probe all the way up the line. When you see a sudden rise, you know the line is bad right there.

I think some had a fluid in the tube as well and worked on the same heat expansion.

[mechanixman]

No problem!
If there is a problem, I could have sworn you could buy just the line, but I guess you can't..
I did a quick search, Car and Truck Shop in Orange California has the cheapest gauge at 58 bucks a pop.

http://www.scribd.com/fullscreen/106...sz2gz3h8aoa7qx
page 22

[mechanixman]

Originally Posted by coralhead

I think some had a fluid in the tube as well and worked on the same heat expansion.

I was going to say (or fluid) but I just didn't want to have to type 10 WHOLE characters more .
Plus, when I fiddled with mine, I didn't hear anything sloshing.

[Coach529]

Turns out the darn thing was working........I was just not giving the truck enough time to get warm.

Little 216 does not create much heat. After sitting and idling for 20 min the highest temp I saw with the IR gun and gauge was 150 degrees.

Thanks for the help guys!!

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Turns out the darn thing was working........I was just not giving the truck enough time to get warm.

Little 216 does not create much heat. After sitting and idling for 20 min the highest temp I saw with the IR gun and gauge was 150 degrees.

Thanks for the help guys!!

Ha glad to hear it worked out. 150 degrees? Henry is cold blooded.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by focusedontheprize

Ha glad to hear it worked out. 150 degrees? Henry is cold blooded.

Yea it was a relief. Not that it would have been a huge deal or cost.........but nice to not have to.

It runs great after a couple minutes, but definitely does not create any heat. Guessing either no thermostat....or it is stuck open!!

[focusedontheprize]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Yea it was a relief. Not that it would have been a huge deal or cost.........but nice to not have to.

It runs great after a couple minutes, but definitely does not create any heat. Guessing either no thermostat....or it is stuck open!!

Yeah. I swapped mine out a couple weeks ago on the 292. Shannon had a cool trick when putting in the thermostat (don't know if you saw it). Basically he put an aspirin to prop it open to ensure no air pockets and then the aspirin would dissolve. Pretty cool idea.

I am happy the latches are working out. I just need to put the finishing touches on mine. Overall, they were worth the money. No doubt about it.

[coralhead]

Originally Posted by Coach529

Yea it was a relief. Not that it would have been a huge deal or cost.........but nice to not have to.

It runs great after a couple minutes, but definitely does not create any heat. Guessing either no thermostat....or it is stuck open!!

You need to get the temp up so the engine operates at the proper temp.

[Coach529]

Originally Posted by coralhead

You need to get the temp up so the engine operates at the proper temp.

After I get a couple miles on it I plan on flushing the cooling system and will change out (or add) a thermostat.