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Old 09-19-2014, 07:11 PM   #1
armchair67
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Default Motometer does not seem to register anything

Pretty much what the heading says. I'm new to model As and finally got mine running pretty well. I'm going to pick up my stepson about 20 miles each way this evening but it occurred to me that my motometer does not seem to register anything. My old one did not either , so I recently purchased and installed a new one and same thing. Unless I'm missing something- I'm assuming red mercury rises as the temp does. But I see no red at all. Been driving it back and forth to work all week-about 3 or 4 miles each way. Any ideas ?
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Old 09-19-2014, 08:49 PM   #2
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I have an original 1930 Town Sedan with 29,000 miles. It has a quail with a thermometer. I have had this car for 5 years and have driven it 1,000 miles only. This year is the only time when I have seen the thermometer register. This was after going up a long mile long hill out of our town. I was surprised to see it register because I didn't think it worked. Now I know better - the car just had to get heated up a bit. The radiator is in great shape with no issues. So it may just be a situation where the car just has to get heated up a bit.

You may want to put the motometer in hot water on a stove and heat the water up to see if anything registers. I bet you will see it register
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Old 09-19-2014, 08:50 PM   #3
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Maybe it's not hot enough to show any mercury. Mine never shows any red unless I pull a long steep hill.
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Old 09-19-2014, 10:34 PM   #4
pat in Santa Cruz
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

the reproduction moto meters are very inaccurate. At best, the one I had showed about 1/4 inch of red on a warm day. I have some originals, and they work just like they say in the old ads, with the red line in the operating range. The moto meter quails are useless as temperature gauges.
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Old 09-19-2014, 10:59 PM   #5
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

If you're not steaming or boiling over, don't worry about what the motometer says. Henry Ford maintained they were unnecessary anyway. His quote: "Any fool can look out over the hood and tell whether it's boiling over or not."
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Old 09-19-2014, 11:03 PM   #6
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

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There has been a very good article in our national vintage car mag. about the Boyce Motometers.
From what I can gather, the design was intended to ''show red to the top'' when steam was produced, by which case things are too late. It was not meant to show the temp. of the radiator water at all. I believe the thermostat type gauges that had an interior dial on the dash were a better system & more accurate as to what was going on with the cooling system.
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Old 09-19-2014, 11:23 PM   #7
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Personally I don't see how they could work or read accurately. The bulb of the thermometer isn't anywhere close to being submerged in the coolant when running normal temperature. Maybe that's why it doesn't read until the water is boiling out the top!!

It's a great conversation piece tho. My wife loves to show it to non-A people.

Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 09-20-2014 at 11:46 AM.
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Old 09-19-2014, 11:34 PM   #8
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Thanks guys! Just wanted to make sure. I know in a modern car if the temp gauge is pegged for too long-which is to say, not very, the engine is doomed. Made the trip just over 40 miles no problem. It was my first "journey" Beyond my shop and back. I had some really puzzling running issues I worked through in large part to you done folks here on the barn, so I was a little nervous. But she ran great. Seems that a good drive was one thing this car needed. I am a believer in really driving and using old cars so hopefully I'll out some real mileage on this A
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Old 09-20-2014, 02:19 AM   #9
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Put a thermostat in the upper hose, you may see red in the quail then.
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Old 09-20-2014, 09:28 AM   #10
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Default Convert to digital

I had a motometer that did not work so I converted it to a digital motometer. Now I know the temperature down to 1/10 of a degree.

Bob

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Old 09-20-2014, 09:38 AM   #11
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Default Re: Convert to digital

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I had a motometer that did not work so I converted it to a digital motometer. Now I know the temperature down to 1/10 of a degree.

Bob

Bob, please tell us how you did that!
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Old 09-20-2014, 11:46 AM   #12
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

The purpose of the radiator-cap mounted MotoMeter, in today's modern world, is to introduce a 'novel' introduction to the 'qutesiness' of our 'old car'. It has very little to do with keeping us appraised of the temperture of our cooling system. However, it does work equally as well as another indicator - steam shooting out of the radiator cap.

The radiator cap-mounted MotoMeter, is a very nice 'dress up' item, much like the also minimumly useful, but 'pretty', running board Step Plates and whitewall tires. They are primarily for the self-gratification of the owner, and have very little useful function.

Self-gratification is a very important part of owning a Ford Model A. I have both Step Plates AND MotoMeter on my '31 Dlx Coupe, as well as WhteWall tires. But I know that they are primarily for ME, and really have no solid functioning value.

I expect to hear howls of protest by some, on how their running boards would be worn out by now, if it had not been from the very useful Step-Plate. And I also expect to hear a number of 'testimonials' of how the MotoMeter saved their lives by alerting the driver to a car about to experience a steam explosion. But I stand by my assertion that a number of 'adornments' are put on our cars because we 'want to', not because we 'need to'.
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Old 09-20-2014, 12:04 PM   #13
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I agree with the above posts. These items for me are more for looks and not to tell the temp. Like Ray pointed out above, you know when it is hot.
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Old 09-20-2014, 12:19 PM   #14
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

As has been stated, The ORIGINALS do work as intended, and Ford sold them as such.. But NOT the Quail one..
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Old 09-20-2014, 05:22 PM   #15
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Well, I think they ARE useful.

The statements of steam shooting out the cap are false.

The steam will escape down the over flow tube and unless you have a full head of boiling water above the core and the boiling water gushes out the cap, you will have no idea until the engine starts knocking or seizes .
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Old 09-20-2014, 07:45 PM   #16
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

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Well, I think they ARE useful.

The statements of steam shooting out the cap are false.

The steam will escape down the over flow tube and unless you have a full head of boiling water above the core and the boiling water gushes out the cap, you will have no idea until the engine starts knocking or seizes .
Sorry Pooch. Beg to differ. I have personally witnessed water boiling out of my coupe's radiator neck, though admittedly not steam. That comes when one removes the cap.
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Old 09-20-2014, 07:50 PM   #17
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Sorry Pooch. Beg to differ. I have personally witnessed water boiling out of my coupe's radiator neck, though admittedly not steam. That comes when one removes the cap.
Than you need a new gasket !!
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Old 09-20-2014, 08:14 PM   #18
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

The thermometer in my quail does not work that well. I've seen it raise about 1/4" have a 2 mile parade that took 1 hour... A laser thermometer from harbour freight is more handy...
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Old 09-20-2014, 08:22 PM   #19
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

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The thermometer in my quail does not work that well. I've seen it raise about 1/4" have a 2 mile parade that took 1 hour... A laser thermometer from harbour freight is more handy...
mine does that also which is fine.. when its at a 1/4 i know its warmer than usual otherwise when i don't see it at all i know i am good
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Old 09-20-2014, 08:48 PM   #20
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Mitch, well I'll take your word that in fact my thermo quail is operating normally... Thanks
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Old 09-20-2014, 08:58 PM   #21
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

My first A, in 1956 had 22k on the odometer. It's Motometer worked perfectly. I knew when it needed the plugs cleaned, points series, when to put a piece of cardboard in front or add water. Today's Motormeters are frauds. Their manufacturers should be ashamed.
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Old 09-20-2014, 08:59 PM   #22
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

mike some show more than others... i just adapt to what i have
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Old 09-20-2014, 10:41 PM   #23
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

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Than you need a new gasket !!
"Aha!", he said!
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Old 09-21-2014, 12:44 AM   #24
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Years ago when repo parts became more common over here one of my mates bought a new Motometer for his A Phaeton. He complained bitterly that he had been ripped off as it never read anything. After a while we figured out that it could be read from the passengers side ( left side of the car we are Rhd here). So the new motometer was made for the Lhd market. My 28 pick up was the same, read best by the passenger and only when the radiator was very full. They are not really needed on a Model A. When they boil the water usually comes out under the cap all over the place. If your model a boils it is usually due to:- lack of water, long climb on a hot day, bad tuneing, or blocked up radiator. The big secret is never put cold water straight back in the engine as this can lead to cracked block especially at the valve seats. Wait till the engine cools down some. Happy Motoring!
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Old 09-21-2014, 06:24 AM   #25
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Does some one have a picture of the original quail motor meter? I have something on my car that does not look like the reproduction one I had on my last car. Its just a glass tube in the middle of the quail.
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Old 09-21-2014, 09:37 AM   #26
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Does some one have a picture of the original quail motor meter? I have something on my car that does not look like the reproduction one I had on my last car. Its just a glass tube in the middle of the quail.
There never was an Original one made back in the A days.. Some one had a better idea along in the 1960s I think..
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Old 09-21-2014, 09:58 AM   #27
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I ordered a repro a number of years ago from a Bob's Auto Parts in Illinois, I don't even know if it exists anymore. It didn't work as described above and I returned it and got a curt letter back and a reluctant refund. I'd hate to think this is the same Bob whose radiators are uniformly praised on the Barn.
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Old 09-21-2014, 10:02 AM   #28
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I ordered a repro a number of years ago from a Bob's Auto Parts in Illinois, I don't even know if it exists anymore. It didn't work as described above and I returned it and got a curt letter back and a reluctant refund. I'd hate to think this is the same Bob whose radiators are uniformly praised on the Barn.
Not even close !!
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Old 09-21-2014, 10:38 AM   #29
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I use mine for looks only. Have a real temperature gauge in the upper radiator hose.

Last edited by TDO; 09-21-2014 at 02:05 PM.
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Old 09-21-2014, 11:10 AM   #30
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I have an original boyce motometer that works well now . When I bought it it had been siting on its side and the fluid had divided in to segments , a good strong shakedown cured that - tap the bottom on something like a tire fore a bit and it will become a solid line again.
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Old 09-21-2014, 12:47 PM   #31
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I have one on each of my Model As and they don't agree on temperature. It does give me a bit of an idea how things are going, though. I like the idea of the digital thermometer. I use a laser gun to know exactly what is going on. I guess a real temperature gauge is the better approach.
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Old 04-12-2021, 03:16 PM   #32
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I have just joined up with the Ford Barn and was reading the MotoMeter
problems. I have a 30 Murray Touring Sedan and my MotoMeter registers
about 1/4 red at 40 to 45 MPH. It then drops to about 1/8 at 10 to 15 MPH
on the road that I live on.
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Old 04-12-2021, 03:28 PM   #33
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I have just joined up with the Ford Barn.
Hi jayvee24. Welcome to the 'Barn'.
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Old 04-12-2021, 03:33 PM   #34
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

This post is back to Bob Johnson. Please come back and let us know how you set up you motormeter to show a digital temperature reading.

I did try this using the Taylor 2516 meat thermometer. It is the right diameter to retrofit the standard motormeter. Unfortunately, these devices have an auto off feature to save battery life. I want to find one that you can manually turn on or off. Mine would only stay on for about 10 minutes, then turn off automatically. I was using it on my Model T. It runs hot by design. I found that my T was driving around at 208 - 210 F, so this is why it would start to boil at stop signs!

So Bob, let us all know what you are using for this modification, it is a neat idea! Ed
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Old 04-12-2021, 03:41 PM   #35
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

When you look at the one in my car from the Drivers seat you see nothing however when you look from center of the windshield it's working. I think I need to see if I can open it up and turn it a bit.

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Old 04-12-2021, 04:27 PM   #36
Bob Johnson
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

Ed,


Not all thermometers are the same. Taylor makes many different versions of this thermometer. They all look the basically the same in the same shape and style. There are some that have a F/C switch. There are some that have the auto off feature. The one I used was model 7851. I have also found that there are many other brands that are the same thermometer with different branding. I found a ChefStyle brand (model #30837) at Grocery Outlet for $1.99. I am not 100% sure but I think the auto off models all have packaging that states they are auto off. Look for one that does not say auto off. Or just turn it on and see it it auto shuts off.


Bob
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Old 04-12-2021, 06:17 PM   #37
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

My Motometer worked great on my Model T. The original motometer was designed to indicate temperature without being immersed in the coolant. The vapor would condense on the bulb to transfer heat and thus indicate temperature.

On my Model A the motometer does not register unless I am pushing the car up a long grade. Then it will go to just below the circle as the thermostat opens up completely. The temperature gauge inside the cab registers about 180 degrees when this happens.
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Old 04-12-2021, 06:21 PM   #38
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Default Re: Motometer does not seem to register anything

I dipped the sensor of my repro moto meter (from a reputable vendor) in boiling water and it registered nothing at all. Looks nice, though.
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