C2 flickering temp gauge

[Randy Swartout]

After replacing the heater hoses on my 66 small block ,with AC, and topping off coolant (with heater on) I noticed my temp gauge started to "flicker" at about the 160-180 temp range. When the engine cooled the coolant in the recovery tank is at the proper mid level. Do I have air in the system (air passing over the temp sensor?) and how do I correct it or an intermittant ground?

Randy

[Jack H.]

Re: C2 flickering temp gauge

If random trapped air in the system is the source of your temp gauge fluxuations, then simply running the car and circulating coolant (don't forget to turn the heater ON to force coolant flow through the heater core!) will naturally 'burp' it.

[Werner R.]

Re: C2 flickering temp gauge

randy
for what it's worth, i have major flickering of my temp gauge, and i also went through different steps to try to get at the root of the problem. i finally reached behind the cluster, while driving and while the gauge was flickering all over the place, and i pushed on the wire connector on the back of the temp gauge. it stopped flickering and stayed a steady 180 [which corresponds to the temp reading with my IR meter]. sssooooooooo, the next time i feel like pulling the cluster, i will have to check to see if there is some kind of looseness in the gauge mounting or wiring. sounds to me like that might be your problem. try the reach test and let me know.
werner
ps i do NOT have small hands, so you ought to be able to reach back there while driving.

[Randy Swartout]

Re: C2 flickering temp gauge

Werner and Jack,
Thanks for the input. It was simply a loose connection at the sender. Must have bumped it while replacing the valve covers.

[Werner R.]

Re: C2 flickering temp gauge

randy
good news for you. that's the cheapest c-2 problem you'll ever have.
happy motoring.
best, werner