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Reading the temperature gauge

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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 01:53 PM
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Default Reading the temperature gauge

What's your opinion on the tick marks on the temp. gauge? The first mark is not labeled, the middle one is 210, the third one is unmarked, and the last one is 250 (or too late, you've toasted your motor).

So what would the first tickmark be? Would it be half of 210, a cold 105? I don't think so. How about the difference between 210 and 250 (40 degrees), making it 40 less than 210 - 180 degrees. That sounds more like it.

I question this, because my car NEVER gets off the first tickmark. I've replaced the gauge and the sender, and it's the same reading.

I bought a mechanical aftermarket gauge to cross-check it, but have yet to install it...
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by AirTrafficController
What's your opinion on the tick marks on the temp. gauge? The first mark is not labeled, the middle one is 210, the third one is unmarked, and the last one is 250 (or too late, you've toasted your motor).

So what would the first tickmark be? Would it be half of 210, a cold 105? I don't think so. How about the difference between 210 and 250 (40 degrees), making it 40 less than 210 - 180 degrees. That sounds more like it.

I question this, because my car NEVER gets off the first tickmark. I've replaced the gauge and the sender, and it's the same reading.

I bought a mechanical aftermarket gauge to cross-check it, but have yet to install it...
Ive got a 68 big block and have often wondered the same thing. That is about where my car likes to run unless it is very hot out and I'm in traffic. I run a 180 thermostat. I have talked to alot of people about this and seen a previous thread on this. Consensus seems to be that first tickmark is 180. An IR gun would be a nice way to confirm the temp. I have not done this.

Last edited by capevettes; Jun 12, 2007 at 03:08 PM. Reason: Additional info
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 10:08 PM
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I have a '73 L-48 with a 180 degree thermostat. It runs right around the first tick mark also.
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 10:28 PM
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I just installed a mechanical gauge and my first tick mark on the factory gauge is between 185-190* on the mechanical one. When my factory gauge is on 210*, the mechanical is 218*-220*.

Obviously the mechanical gauge is much quicker responding and has a better range. I keep my mechanical gauge hidden behind the console. I just pull it out every now and then to cross check teh factory gauge. i highly recommend doing this because the factory gauge can be all over the map.
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Old Jun 12, 2007 | 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeffery73
I have a '73 L-48 with a 180 degree thermostat. It runs right around the first tick mark also.
Port Clinton-I used to go there every weekend years ago.Friends of mine used to have a cottage at Lakeside.

If you want to find out if your gauge is correct you can pull off the green wire on the sender and put a 68-70 ohm resistor between the wire and ground and your gauge should read 215-220 degrees.This is a standard that gauge rebuilders use to calibrate.You can get a resistor at Radio Shack for $1.This is my ultra high tech temp gage tester. Its the 3rd test I do when checking the temp gage.
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Old Jun 13, 2007 | 09:52 AM
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Originally Posted by DWncchs
Port Clinton-I used to go there every weekend years ago.Friends of mine used to have a cottage at Lakeside.

If you want to find out if your gauge is correct you can pull off the green wire on the sender and put a 68-70 ohm resistor between the wire and ground and your gauge should read 215-220 degrees.This is a standard that gauge rebuilders use to calibrate.You can get a resistor at Radio Shack for $1.This is my ultra high tech temp gage tester. Its the 3rd test I do when checking the temp gage.
that's a pretty cool trick. thanks for the info....
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