How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

Oil gauge question below leads me to confirm my ideas on testing a temp gauge.

My plan is to remove it, make certain the capilary tube is not kinked, put the bulb in boiling water and see if it will move off the 160 degrees it is stuck on.

Gauge is about 10 years old or so. Want to make certain it's dead before replacing.

Anyone have a good source for a Stewart-Warner gauge with a 230 degree max display and a reasonable length cap tube?

:confused:

Re: How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

Re: How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

The last few 230 deg SW gauges I have used I found the gauge itself either on EBay or at a swap meet and then had to have new tubes fitted to them. I have 230 deg gauges in all my Model A's and feel it is worth the trouble to have them. One thing about having new tubes installed is that you can have them made to the length you want.

Chris W.

Re: How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

I didn’t know the tubes were replaceable. Who does that kind of work?


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Re: How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

There are many companies around that will repair these gauges. Do an online search of "Temperature Gauge capillary tube repair" and see what comes up. I use Abbott Instrument Restoration in Portland Oregon. They have done a lot of work for me thru the years.

Chris W.

Re: How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

I saved a search on ebay for this Rochester gauge that matches the one in my dad's 29 Tudor. Don't know if he installed it, but it was in the car the first time I remember being aware of the car, late 50's. Took most of a year for this one to show up. Be patient.

Cost me 35 bucks.


My 29 runs at 140 on a 65-80 degree day, no thermostat.

Re: How to test a Rex-a-co temp gauge?
 

looking for a 230 degree gauge as opposed to a 265.
those seem to be the only 2 options in the SW catalog.

many of the gauges listed on line have excessively long capilary tubes, so hope to find the shortest.

might just get another Rex-a-co from Brattons- if it lasts 10 more years that will be acceptable.

suspect having it repaired or a new tube installed will cost more than a new gauge, especially if there's round trip cross-country shipping included.