Temp gauge question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MiraclePieCo · 08-12-2015, 11:41 PM

'50 Chevy pickup temp gauge has only C and H. Anyone know what actual temps correspond to those?
Mine runs near the first leg of the H, so kinda on the high side of the gauge on summer days.

_Ogre · 08-13-2015, 12:33 PM

it varies a lot from truck to truck
the only way you'll know is to check the temp at the thermostat housing or use another gauge with numbers

**mr48chev** · 08-13-2015, 02:27 PM

On that truck if you have the correct thermostat for the truck, correct pressure cap on the radiator and the radiator is clean inside and out meaning that you blow of flush the bugs and dirt out of the core once in a while along with taking a peek inside to make sure that there isn't a bunch of white crud on top of the tubes in the radiator you are probably plenty safe with it just where it is in hot weather.

If it has the proper coolant level (with a bit of room for expansion at the top) and doesn't puke coolant when you stop it is probably working great too.

Around here locally a lot of the guys run a screen in front of the radiator to catch the bugs and keep them out of the radiator. My grandfather did it, My dad did it and I still do it on the trucks.
Every once in a while when I go to the do it yourself car wash I wash out the radiator from the back side to flush out dirt and stuff too. I usually do it when I am washing the engine off and it tends to help with air flow though the radiator.

MiraclePieCo · 08-14-2015, 06:57 PM

Thanks gentlemen. I will install a bug screen. So far no coolant puking. Maybe I'll add an auxiliary gauge for confirmation. A friend has an infrared temp gun I will borrow also. This gauge set isn't from this truck; anyone know what years Chevy had numbers on the gauges and what years they went to the "C" and "H?"

08-12-2015, 11:41 PM	#1
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Temp gauge question '50 Chevy pickup temp gauge has only C and H. Anyone know what actual temps correspond to those? Mine runs near the first leg of the H, so kinda on the high side of the gauge on summer days.

08-13-2015, 12:33 PM	#2
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Temp gauge question it varies a lot from truck to truck the only way you'll know is to check the temp at the thermostat housing or use another gauge with numbers __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

08-13-2015, 02:27 PM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,718	Re: Temp gauge question On that truck if you have the correct thermostat for the truck, correct pressure cap on the radiator and the radiator is clean inside and out meaning that you blow of flush the bugs and dirt out of the core once in a while along with taking a peek inside to make sure that there isn't a bunch of white crud on top of the tubes in the radiator you are probably plenty safe with it just where it is in hot weather. If it has the proper coolant level (with a bit of room for expansion at the top) and doesn't puke coolant when you stop it is probably working great too. Around here locally a lot of the guys run a screen in front of the radiator to catch the bugs and keep them out of the radiator. My grandfather did it, My dad did it and I still do it on the trucks. Every once in a while when I go to the do it yourself car wash I wash out the radiator from the back side to flush out dirt and stuff too. I usually do it when I am washing the engine off and it tends to help with air flow though the radiator. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

08-14-2015, 06:57 PM	#4
MiraclePieCo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: USA Posts: 2,249	Re: Temp gauge question Thanks gentlemen. I will install a bug screen. So far no coolant puking. Maybe I'll add an auxiliary gauge for confirmation. A friend has an infrared temp gun I will borrow also. This gauge set isn't from this truck; anyone know what years Chevy had numbers on the gauges and what years they went to the "C" and "H?"



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