Customs Old temp gauges fix? Re-do?

Is there any conversion from the vapor bulb temp gauges to electrical or a new vapor? On my 50' Buick i was thinking of hacking up one of the after market chevy/GM kits and seeing if i could make it work in my gauge, but before I drop 100 bucks on a hope and dream, I was wondering if anyone had done anything like this? I am pretty set on making my factory gauges work.
Was thinking I can take the faceplate off one of these and stick it behind my original faceplate and see if I can swap needles. Thoughts? there's probable an easier way, but nothing I can find online

 

Are the scales of the old and new gauges the same? Both 100 to 220?

 

No idea. The factory gauge just says hot/cold and the shop manual only states hot/cold as option

 

An old thread on repair of bulb type gauges.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/capillary-tube-replacement.1043778/
Dan

 

awesome. thanks

 

I used the same process successfully as in the link.
Not mentioned in the thread is what alchemy asked,
I found and used a donor with similar sweep and range

 

I also resurrected an original '35 chevy gauge using that method, works perfect.

 

I tried replacing the guts of a '47 Chevy gauge with a new electrical gauge, but , like yours, the needle pivots from the top. All the electrical temp. gauges I could find pivoted from the bottom, so would not work with this set-up unless you marked the gauge face backwards (confusing, eh?). The only other way was to find an older NOS or good top pivot gauge and swap dial faces. You can re-calibrate the bourdon tube (mechanical) gauges by very carefully bending the brass arm which drives the quadrant gear (needle shaft).

 

Good pint. I didnt even consider the pivot side.

 

Nice Work!

 

Williamson's Instruments (Arkansas) can repair them. A friend had them repair his 1936 Plymouth temp gauge.

 

Take a look at the electric replacement gauge for a '47-53 Chev pickup.....
Good luck

 

Gauges are something most don't think about until it becomes necessary. I am at that point with my Buicks. The 3 major players in this field (Bob's Speedometer, Williamson's Intruments, and DandM Restorations) can do the work, but all are pricey. Converting to electric replacements is certainly an option and is what I am doing on one of mine. NVU has a gauge kit that resembles the originals.

 

My gauges for my '34 Chevy are at Williamson's Instruments right now. His shop is less than 30 minutes away. Ron is a very nice guy.

Larry

 

Thanks for the help everyone!

 

btt