The Ford Barn

The Geezer · 11-25-2022, 03:19 PM

Hi all,
Does anyone know how to open one of these to clean and lube? I can’t get the bezel off to get to the dial face.
Regards, The Geezer

Gary WA · 11-25-2022, 10:24 PM

Is it a screw on rim? I have a couple but never tried to take apart!

nkaminar · 11-26-2022, 09:02 AM

Take it to a watch maker or watch repair shop. There is a special tool that grabs the edge of the bezel all the way around and squeezes it. This compresses the bezel to remove it. There is also a special tool to pull the pointer off and some screws that attach the face plate. If you cannot find a watch maker you may be able to pry the bezel off with a sharp knife, like a #11 Exacto blade, but you stand the chance of damaging the bezel.

Maybe the best thing is to leave it untouched and put it in a display case, then go buy a modern gauge.

The Geezer · 11-26-2022, 05:59 PM

I finally was able to get the bezel off using an exacto and tapping with a jewelers hammer. It wasn’t a screw-on. Will be cleaning and calibrating it and put it back together like it was originally.
Thanks to all who offered suggestions. This forum is awesome!

Conaway2 · 11-27-2022, 12:12 AM

Pls update us as you work on the gauge….I have a couple of these that I would like to get working again, and will be very interested in following your work.

Thanks - Jim

katy · 11-27-2022, 11:54 AM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Conaway2

Pls update us as you work on the gauge….I have a couple of these that I would like to get working again, and will be very interested in following your work. Thanks - Jim

Ditto, except I only have one that needs TLC.

The Geezer · 12-11-2022, 07:30 PM

I was able to get the bezel off with a small fine screwdriver. Also removed the 2 screws on the back. Then unscrewed the stem off. You can then wiggle the dial and mechanism out of the case. I took a soft artist paint brush, dipped it in alcohol and “scrubbed” the mechanism being careful not to get alcohol on the dial face (just in case it might smear or kill the printing!). Blew out any dirt or dust with an tire air compressor. I oiled all the pivot points with a very light sewing machine oil. I then put the mechanism back in the case and screwed the stem back on. The bezel was left off at this point. I checked the accuracy on a tire with known pressure. The gauge was off a bit so I popped off the pointer on the dial face after zeroing the pointer. After popping the pointer off I tested the known tire pressure again. I then put the pointer back on pointing at the known pressure. I rechecked a few more times and pressed the. Bezel back on. My Ford tire gauge now works just fine. Hope your repairs/cleaning goes well too!

hrant · 12-11-2022, 11:18 PM

Thanks for the update, and kudos to your success!

Redbird · 12-12-2022, 07:54 AM

Any photos taken during the process?

The Geezer · 12-12-2022, 09:45 PM

No, could have done that, but didn't know it would have been of interest to others.

dropacent · 12-13-2022, 11:27 AM

We started with about 130 of these and have rebuilt and restored many over the last couple years. We have 30 remaining and can restore with the model A face, several early ford fantasy faces, and also can do special make autos. U S gauge made at least 25 different faces, as we have that many in our collection.
It does take special tools to open and close a case without damaging or scratching it. Glad to do that for free , but with postage at $5 minimum each trip it gets expensive.

dropacent · 12-13-2022, 02:09 PM

Pics of other US gauges

David in San Antonio · 12-13-2022, 08:48 PM

@DropACent - The emphasis on the 35 on the gauge faces answers one question at least..,

ford28a · 01-03-2023, 02:51 PM

Hello, who still repair tire gauges, what is the cost? Or can someone post how to fix these?
Thank you

11-25-2022, 10:24 PM	#2
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,104	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question Is it a screw on rim? I have a couple but never tried to take apart! __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

11-26-2022, 09:02 AM	#3
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question Take it to a watch maker or watch repair shop. There is a special tool that grabs the edge of the bezel all the way around and squeezes it. This compresses the bezel to remove it. There is also a special tool to pull the pointer off and some screws that attach the face plate. If you cannot find a watch maker you may be able to pry the bezel off with a sharp knife, like a #11 Exacto blade, but you stand the chance of damaging the bezel. Maybe the best thing is to leave it untouched and put it in a display case, then go buy a modern gauge. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

11-26-2022, 05:59 PM	#4
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question I finally was able to get the bezel off using an exacto and tapping with a jewelers hammer. It wasn’t a screw-on. Will be cleaning and calibrating it and put it back together like it was originally. Thanks to all who offered suggestions. This forum is awesome! __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

11-27-2022, 12:12 AM	#5
Conaway2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Mt. Pleasant, SC Posts: 601	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question Pls update us as you work on the gauge….I have a couple of these that I would like to get working again, and will be very interested in following your work. Thanks - Jim

12-11-2022, 07:30 PM	#7
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question I was able to get the bezel off with a small fine screwdriver. Also removed the 2 screws on the back. Then unscrewed the stem off. You can then wiggle the dial and mechanism out of the case. I took a soft artist paint brush, dipped it in alcohol and “scrubbed” the mechanism being careful not to get alcohol on the dial face (just in case it might smear or kill the printing!). Blew out any dirt or dust with an tire air compressor. I oiled all the pivot points with a very light sewing machine oil. I then put the mechanism back in the case and screwed the stem back on. The bezel was left off at this point. I checked the accuracy on a tire with known pressure. The gauge was off a bit so I popped off the pointer on the dial face after zeroing the pointer. After popping the pointer off I tested the known tire pressure again. I then put the pointer back on pointing at the known pressure. I rechecked a few more times and pressed the. Bezel back on. My Ford tire gauge now works just fine. Hope your repairs/cleaning goes well too! __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

12-11-2022, 11:18 PM	#8
hrant Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Posts: 1	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question Thanks for the update, and kudos to your success!

12-12-2022, 07:54 AM	#9
Redbird Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Georgetown, TX Posts: 535	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question Any photos taken during the process?

12-12-2022, 09:45 PM	#10
The Geezer Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2022 Location: The Villages FL Posts: 140	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question No, could have done that, but didn't know it would have been of interest to others. __________________ “Finally driving a car older than me!”

12-13-2022, 11:27 AM	#11
dropacent Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 192	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question We started with about 130 of these and have rebuilt and restored many over the last couple years. We have 30 remaining and can restore with the model A face, several early ford fantasy faces, and also can do special make autos. U S gauge made at least 25 different faces, as we have that many in our collection. It does take special tools to open and close a case without damaging or scratching it. Glad to do that for free , but with postage at $5 minimum each trip it gets expensive. Last edited by dropacent; 12-13-2022 at 02:10 PM.

12-13-2022, 08:48 PM	#13
David in San Antonio Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: San Antonio Texas Posts: 219	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question @DropACent - The emphasis on the 35 on the gauge faces answers one question at least..,

01-03-2023, 02:51 PM	#14
ford28a Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 3	Re: Vintage Tire Gauge Question Hello, who still repair tire gauges, what is the cost? Or can someone post how to fix these? Thank you Last edited by ford28a; 01-03-2023 at 03:10 PM. Reason: wrong question