The Ford Barn

web43 · 07-01-2016, 09:59 AM

Bought this on e-bay, it has a bolt with it that replaces one of the headbolts on the engine I assume. Am I correct and does it matter which headbolt you change out??
Thanks

Sparky · 07-01-2016, 10:38 AM

Never heard of one that uses a head bolt. Are you sure it isn't the usual type that threads into the radiator neck? A picture would help.

Here is the type that mounts to the neck:

Mark W. · 07-01-2016, 11:18 AM

A picture would help, but I agree with Sparky - changing out a head bolt, which is a graded fastener for a reason, with something hollow that you can't torque sounds like a bad idea.

Special Coupe Frank · 07-01-2016, 11:21 AM

There were "Motometer" branded dash / column mounted gauges that replaced one of the cylinder head studs with a special bold that contained the sensor bulb.

Suggest you test the operation of your gauge with a pan of hot water before pulling studs out of the engine.

MAG · 07-01-2016, 12:27 PM

I have one of this type Motometer. The special bolt is installed in position #10 on the head. The sensor area of the bolt is above the torque area therefore can be torqued normally. Presently not installed. When installed it worked fine. No problems.

web43 · 07-01-2016, 12:55 PM

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Thanks for all the info. Much appreciated!

Sparky · 07-01-2016, 01:10 PM

Well, I learned something new today!

Mike V. Florida · 07-01-2016, 11:28 PM

Do you have to drill into the water jacket?

gridleak · 07-02-2016, 09:41 AM

I have a very nice one of those but am missing the head bolt. Anybody have one they would sell?

MAG · 07-02-2016, 02:21 PM

Re: steering column motometer Do you have to drill into the water jacket?....NO.

Actually only the nut (#10 location) is replaced.
The kit comes with a Accessory Nut that replaces the original nut.
The Accessory Nut is approximately 3 or 3 1/2 inches tall.
It is drilled in the center to accommodate the sensor bulb.
The top of the Accessory Nut is threaded to accept the bulb retaining nut.
It is made from 11/16 or 3/4 inch hex stock.
Sorry, cant' put my hands on it right now for a picture.

briphaeton · 07-02-2016, 03:10 PM

I hooked my onto #8 because it is already a longer stud that holds the distributor cable.
Its to hard to change out the distributor with the clamp and remove it to make for a easier distributor repairs. This way you don't have to change anything or loosen a torque head nut.

JohnLaVoy · 07-03-2016, 07:42 AM

I used one of those for years. The head bolt was starting to get "thin" from rust etc. so when I went to a high compression head several years ago I changed to a modern gauge and used the goose neck location to install the probe. Works very well.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-03-2016, 08:31 AM

With the normal bulb type, Chief always drilled & tapped in the side of the head, near the rear. He thought that was probably the hottest area, since many cars used that position. With a head off, you can easily spot a proper position.
Bill W.

taffrail · 07-03-2016, 10:33 AM

I have a brass plug in the rear of the head, I thought that's what it might be for.
I have a quail and would like a gauge. Thanks Bill W.

katy · 07-03-2016, 10:35 AM

Quote:

With the normal bulb type, Chief always drilled & tapped in the side of the head, near the rear. He thought that was probably the hottest area, since many cars used that position. With a head off, you can easily spot a proper position.
Bill W.

I like that idea, thanks Bill

BILL WILLIAMSON · 07-03-2016, 02:57 PM

Someone FINALLY responded! I've tiped that before & no one said doodley.
Bill W.

Brian SATX · 07-03-2016, 09:50 PM

Here is a copy of the original instructions. I have one, went to a machine shop and had them make a new stud copying the info from an original. There is one for sale in the Swap Meet right now.

katy · 07-04-2016, 10:15 AM

Anyone have the dimensions for a good spot on the side of the head to drill and tap to install a gauge fitting?

Bob-A · 07-04-2016, 12:37 PM

I also acquired off of eBay a special Moto-Meter "Red Ball", steering column mount, temperature guage. Made specifically for the Model-A
Ford. Today I opened the box and to my surprise it came with the original
instruction sheet and two mounting pieces. The seller did not know if it worked and probably found it at an estate sale or from a deceased relative. The first two pics are of the instruction sheet, then the gauge and its attachment accessories and finally the gauge face.

Bob-A

Vern · 07-04-2016, 02:05 PM

Bob A...a good buy, stick the bulb end in some hot water, see if it moves. If it doesn't then Ron at Williamson's Instruments down in Arkansas can probably repair it.

07-01-2016, 11:18 AM	#3
Mark W. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Maine Posts: 342	Re: steering column motometer A picture would help, but I agree with Sparky - changing out a head bolt, which is a graded fastener for a reason, with something hollow that you can't torque sounds like a bad idea.

07-01-2016, 11:21 AM	#4
Special Coupe Frank Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Penna Posts: 2,108	Re: steering column motometer There were "Motometer" branded dash / column mounted gauges that replaced one of the cylinder head studs with a special bold that contained the sensor bulb. Suggest you test the operation of your gauge with a pan of hot water before pulling studs out of the engine. Last edited by Special Coupe Frank; 07-01-2016 at 04:20 PM.

07-01-2016, 12:27 PM	#5
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: steering column motometer I have one of this type Motometer. The special bolt is installed in position #10 on the head. The sensor area of the bolt is above the torque area therefore can be torqued normally. Presently not installed. When installed it worked fine. No problems. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

07-01-2016, 12:55 PM	#6
web43 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 2	Re: steering column motometer Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for all the info. Much appreciated!

07-01-2016, 01:10 PM	#7
Sparky Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 649	Re: steering column motometer Well, I learned something new today!

07-01-2016, 09:59 AM	#1
web43 Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 2	steering column motometer Bought this on e-bay, it has a bolt with it that replaces one of the headbolts on the engine I assume. Am I correct and does it matter which headbolt you change out?? Thanks

07-01-2016, 11:28 PM	#8
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: steering column motometer Do you have to drill into the water jacket? __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

07-02-2016, 09:41 AM	#9
gridleak Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: bozeman mt Posts: 170	Re: steering column motometer I have a very nice one of those but am missing the head bolt. Anybody have one they would sell?

07-02-2016, 02:21 PM	#10
MAG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 925	Re: steering column motometer Re: steering column motometer Do you have to drill into the water jacket?....NO. Actually only the nut (#10 location) is replaced. The kit comes with a Accessory Nut that replaces the original nut. The Accessory Nut is approximately 3 or 3 1/2 inches tall. It is drilled in the center to accommodate the sensor bulb. The top of the Accessory Nut is threaded to accept the bulb retaining nut. It is made from 11/16 or 3/4 inch hex stock. Sorry, cant' put my hands on it right now for a picture. __________________ I noticed the harder I work the luckier I get!

07-02-2016, 03:10 PM	#11
briphaeton Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 241	Re: steering column motometer I hooked my onto #8 because it is already a longer stud that holds the distributor cable. Its to hard to change out the distributor with the clamp and remove it to make for a easier distributor repairs. This way you don't have to change anything or loosen a torque head nut.

07-03-2016, 07:42 AM	#12
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: steering column motometer I used one of those for years. The head bolt was starting to get "thin" from rust etc. so when I went to a high compression head several years ago I changed to a modern gauge and used the goose neck location to install the probe. Works very well.

07-03-2016, 08:31 AM	#13
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: steering column motometer With the normal bulb type, Chief always drilled & tapped in the side of the head, near the rear. He thought that was probably the hottest area, since many cars used that position. With a head off, you can easily spot a proper position. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-03-2016, 10:33 AM	#14
taffrail Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Hingham, MA Posts: 135	Re: steering column motometer I have a brass plug in the rear of the head, I thought that's what it might be for. I have a quail and would like a gauge. Thanks Bill W.

07-03-2016, 02:57 PM	#16
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: steering column motometer Someone FINALLY responded! I've tiped that before & no one said doodley. Bill W. __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"

07-04-2016, 10:15 AM	#18
katy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Red Deer, Alberta Posts: 5,046	Re: steering column motometer Anyone have the dimensions for a good spot on the side of the head to drill and tap to install a gauge fitting? __________________ If you don't hear a rumor by 10 AM, start one!. Got my education out behind the barn!

07-04-2016, 02:05 PM	#20
Vern Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 573	Re: steering column motometer Bob A...a good buy, stick the bulb end in some hot water, see if it moves. If it doesn't then Ron at Williamson's Instruments down in Arkansas can probably repair it.