Hi everyone, I'm doing some resto work on my buddy's 1958 apache with a small block. He asked us to install reproduction gauges. The water temp probe is stumping us. I've tried numerous adapters - VDO 701-1799 "Adapter for mechanical temp gauge probe 5/8UNF to 3/8NPT" as well as AutoMeter 2264/3. The problem is the silver square nut makes it about 2 turns in to the adapter before it pops out. And screwing that square nut directly in to the engine makes it leak like a sieve, since nothing is making that probe seat. What kind of adapter do I need for this? Thank you! Picture attached
This should do it...you need the adapter for the temp. bulb, so that it seals correctly. Used on most Chevys from the 30's to the late 50's. Available at Napa and others..Balkamp part number 7011799
Yes, the VDO and Autometer are designed for an electric sender, thus having a straight bore. The Napa type has a tapered bore, with a seating/sealing area for the manual temp. "bulb". The ridge on the top of the bulb will seat down, on top of the tapered bore, with the nut applying pressure. when you tighten it. Here's a better visual of the two types you're trying to match.
55 with either engine were mechanical, 56-up with either engine were electric. My guess is that some company in china tooled up to make the 55 version, and it gets sold as a replacement for the other years, too. I just use original electric gauges and the TS-6 sender, but it's not easy to find good working gauges these days, unfortunately.
Do they make reproduction electronic gauges? I'm looking to retain as much of the factory look as I can.
I don't know, I've never needed to buy one...I had a bunch of old clusters that I had collected at swap meets, etc over the years. Unfortunately I don't have any extras left.
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