I guess I was hinting that it probably will be easier to get the sender that's a match to the gauge. They aren't too pricey.

Dan

Any-Port-in-a-Storm Approach:

Could one use a thermometer in a hot water bath with the thermometer to calibrate with a larger potentiometer inline? http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...entiometer.jpg
Put it in hot, and adjust as it cools...

If it is NTC or PTC, your needle will just go the opposite way...

This will tell you a lot with not a lot of internet research. Just make sure you use low amp fuses to protect everything while you work. If you have the potentiometer dialed up to a high resistance and bring it back down; you can be sure you won't damage the gauge.

Really you could probably solder/wire on the appropriate resistor for ~$.05 if you knew the resistance of the original sending unit. What is the gauge you are using?

Probably the easiest way to test this is to take resistance readings at three representative temperatures - 32, 100 and 200 F would probably be easiest (ice bath, warming and near boiling) then compare to the various charts for the senders to see whether it fits.


Alternately hook up the actual gauge to the actual sender and monitor the temperature directly to see if it agrees with a thermometer in the water bath.

Looks like I need to buy a matched sender. Holy moley! Cannot believe this could be so complicated.

Actually it should be relatively easy and not too expensive (< $20) to get a matched sender for a common aftermarket gauge.

The thermo switch and sender on the T'stat housing are 14m x 1.5. I think the sender in the block is the same (not where I can check). You can get senders for aftermarket gauges that fit with 14m x 1.5 threads. VDO for example. The matching, I think, is the sweep of the gauge, and the max temp (250 or 300).

x2... and easier if the electrical world is voodoo to you

(the potentiometer is only ~$3-5 or so at a local Radio Shack/Hardware Store in their bench stock; but time is the expensive part!)

It's actually really easy. Go to a parts store where the guys behind the counter are older than your Studebaker. Ask to see the temperature sender book. It's full of pictures, with the thread, resistance range, and typical applications listed.

For example, a 1980's 2.3L "mustang" uses a fan switch that kicks on at 215°F and off at 185°F, is normally open, and has 1/4NPT threads. This info was found in one of the mighty books.

I am kind of suprised the sender does not come with the gauge. As a poster mentioned everyone does not do electrical/electronics.

If you are going to get a new sender make sure to get it from the instrument brand dealer or manufacturer.

At some point in the future. If the human race is still around most things will have to be manufactured to a general identical standard.

This will reduce the load on the planet signifigantly. Unfortunatly none of us on this site can hold our breath waiting for that time.

I still see a possible diverse number of manufacturers but the products although looking different will all have the same exact components otherwise This would usher in the time of rebuilding many components to avoid making new. There may come a time when recycling/rebuilding is mandatory.

It has been about the only way to make work ahead for a good percentage of the population I can think of. Constant rebuilding basically rather than totally new manufacturing.

The day of everything being basically throw away will cease. Some of my thoughts are based on us no longer being able to squander energy and materials as we currently do. Another driving factor is the expected explosion in numbers of the human race.

In one or two thousand years have a look at my updating of this post. I hear they are planning to extend internet services to where it is really hot. Since the inhabitants will have little to do because of the lack of coal to shovel.

Today I painted the window frames and vent window frames in preparation for the glass being installed.

I just talked to Michael and they have the car in bare metal doing final smoothings in preparation for primer.

Wooo hooo!

Progress pics

Wow. Looks beautiful.

Thanks Paul!

With a hood that big, have you considered two 617's?

Looking good :)

surprisingly there is barely room for one.;)