This is the temp gauge in my 35 Ford. It's been working well until recently. It would climb 30 degrees in seconds up to 230 then drop back down below 200 just as fast. I knew the engine wasn't getting this hot and wouldn't have swings this fast. I think what happened was the tube coming out of the sender got bent a little while I was doing some work. I straightened it and it seemed to be back to normal in a test run. I want to check it though to make sure it's right on. Or maybe I should just replace it...but i kinda like it this old gauge Any suggestions on how to check it with out removing it ? Oh, and the gauge panel is on the 86 list.
Almost sounds like a sticky thermostat, or low on water (sending unit hits water-air-water-air). What kind of work did you do when you thought you bent the tube? BUT, it sounds like you fixed it to me by straightening the tube?
Groucho, I replaced the thermostat a couple of months ago, and that crossed my mind that it was sticking too, but it was fine on a 700+ mile trip. I even checked it in a pan of water against the old thermostat and it open like it should. The coolant is full. I put a gauge in the top of the radiator after my drive and straightening the tube today, and it read 160 and the Sun gauge read 180 but I'm thinking the water in the engine would be hotter. It was showing wild readings before up to 230...but I wasn't loosing water and the radiator is full. I think it would have lost some water if it got that hot. I put a new 7 lb cap on too.
I'll just keep an eye on it to see how it acts. Isn't there a fluid in that line that tranfers the temp to the gauge ?
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