I am searching for the 2 5/8 stewart warners with the black face and box logo with flat glass/ fairly basic. I have read a lot of posts on how crappy the new stuff is. Is there a way to tell the old from the new because there is a lot of NOS being sold and don't want to get hosed on buying some actually new gauges. I have noticed that the backs are chrome in some and some look goldish. Any signs or markings that tell old good gauges from new crap? side question has any one had good luck with the mechanical or electric new SW gauges? All I have read is bad. thanks
The older ones dont have a hole in the back for a light,they look the same from the front.The light comes from a bulb mounted in the gauge bezel and shines through 2 slots in the rear of the gauge covered by a clear tape.Not talking about the curved glass gauges.
I bought a couple new ones last year. They worked okay, except for this: The tach went berserk right away, so I tweaked the wiring, bought an adaptor, etc, etc, etc. It was still weird, so I figured it was crap (I'd been reading the same negative reports as you). But I had other priorities and didn't get around to swapping it - then a couple months ago, I noticed it was working just fine! Apparently, they've engineered self-healing properties into these gauges! These are the best of times...
Yes they do. You can see one on the back of the temp gauge upper right. This was probably made later in the product run but still long before the cheap stuff made in recent years. My 3 mid to late 60s SW flat glass 2 5/8 gauges all have holes for the snap in light sockets. I don't believe that holes for lights can be used to date the gauges. There are usually date codes stamped on the back but I don't know the codes.
There are at least two styles of lights. Some have the bulb in the back, others let the light shine in from the side. Different styles that have nothing to do with the date. I don't use anything else in my cars besides stewart warner mechanical 2-5/8" gauges. I haven't seen any problems with the newer stuff, but as always, I strive to find old gauges because of the small differences in the bezels and faces.
The ones with the brass back are marine guages. They dont have the light sockets so moisture will have a harder time getting into them.
Most of the newer SW gauges have an inner ring right underneath the glass to reflect the light onto the face of the gauge. This inner glass retainer looks like a 1/4" taper around the outer edge of the face, and is usually painted same color as the face. If it's there, I'd guess the gauge to be post (approx) 1995. Earlier ones are not seen from the outside.
Look for the ink stamp on the back of your gauge, and use this to date your SW's: Year of Manufacture A - 1933 B - 1934 C - 1935 D - 1936 E - 1937 F - 1938 G - 1939 H - 1940 J - 1941 K - 1942 L - 1943 M - 1944 N - 1945 P - 1946 Q - 1947 R - 1948 S - 1949 T - 1950 U - 1951 V - 1952 W - 1953 X - 1954 Y - 1955 Z - 1956 A - 1957 B - 1958 C - 1959 D - 1960 E - 1961 F - 1962 G - 1963 H - 1964 J - 1965 K - 1966 L - 1967 M - 1968 N - 1969 P - 1970 Q - 1971 R - 1972 S - 1973 T - 1974 U - 1975 V - 1976 W - 1977 X - 1978 Y - 1979 Z - 1980 Month of Manufacture 1 - January 2 - February 3 - March 4 - April 5 - May 6 - June 7 - July 8 - August 9 - September 10 - October 11 - November 12 - December (thanks Dave, you're welcome Dave) And no, they didn't make a huge amount of gauges in June and December of 1952, that stamp means 12 volt or 6 volt.
I've got a complete set of Wings guages in my 29 and they work perfectly.Bought them new last year, very happy, they have the look I was after even though They are not old.
I've also read the bad rap on SW. I bought a set if Wings guages for our roadster but don't have them hooked up yet. I fell for the convex glass and "arrow head" pointers (with crescent tails). Like that look! Couldn't find anything else like them. I won't be using the speedo as I have a Harley repop "police special" black face/white numbers. We added a convex glass and arrow head pointer (to match the Wings). Will run this with our T5 and hook them togeather with a special made cable. Had the guys at North Hollywood Speedometer do the work. I just hope the Wings units work allright - we shall see!
I like the Police Special Harley Speedos. What mods are required to make them work? I'm guessing all that's needed is a special cable (as Ruff' said above) but is there anything I need to know before I buy one I think will fit? I'm going to try to stuff a full array of guages into my 32 5w (1964 build style). Thanks for the codes Dave! I really like the look of the curved glass but I'm not sure if they were around back in 1964. I've been searching all weekend but can someone short cut me to (or even has there been?) a thread about the styles of guages available for my period of build?
The flat glass 2 5/8 are fairly distinct from the new styles. Just look at them side by side and it's easy to tell. The older gauges are of far higher quality than any you will find made today.
yep, once you have some originals and repops in your hands you can tell the difference, the chrome isnt near as good and the printing looks different. but they dont look as bad as no gauges at all! jeff
Sorry to hyjack the thread... Does this list work for all SW gauges? my question is that i have a 100mph Spedo, domed lense, light brown decal, on the back is a stamp in the metal S-W and over top in Ink is 509DLF So how does that fit into the table?
Yeah, that whole chart thing is a bit vague. For example, I have an older (small S/W logo water temp gauge) lying on my desk & the number is 361 CB 82326 60 D8. This is a very common gauge, probably the 60's. How does the chart relate to this bunch of numbers & letters? I have another Oil pressure gauge with 444422 3H/280. No clue.
The date code is usually well separated and in the same print as the model, but over time and numerous productions, those numbers become rather unreliable. I base my determinations off of experience.
361 CB 82326 60 D8 is indicating a 60 inch sender on an August 1960 gauge. 444422 3H/280 is indicating a gauge that reads to 280 degrees made in March of '64 or '88.
The Jalopy Journal
