C2 Water Temp Gauge

[Wes Price]

Really dumb new guy question....I am still figuring out my '66 Roadster, looking at the water temp gauge, the markings are not uniform (they don't make sense to me, but that shouldn't be a big surprise). On the far left it is marked 100, then there is another index mark with no number, then one with 210 on it, one more with nothing and then the 250 degree mark. What are the temps for the indexes with no numbers and where should the needle be when the car is warmed and running normally? Thanks

Wes Price

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C2 Water Temp Gauge

My 67 runs right on that mark with no number. I have assumed for years that the car had a 180 thermostat and that this mark represented 180. I checked it the other day with an IR thermometer and got readings around 160. I'm gonna have to check a little further to see what it really is. How's that for a dumb answer to your "dumb" question?

The gauges are not necessarily linear like a gas gauge or oil presure gauge, so the mark may very well be closer to 160. It really doesn't matter. What you are looking for is something to tell you a deviation from normal, ie overheating. If it's below the 210 mark and the gauge is anywhere near accurate, it isn't overheated.

Depending on what thermostat your car is equipped with (180 is standard), the needle should be somewhere between the "no mark" index and the 210. But, again, you are looking for a relative indication rather than an absolute number. It would be nice if the gauges were absolutely accurate, but most aren't.

[Pat Bush]

Re: C2 Water Temp Gauge

Wes -

If you want to know all the ins and outs of temp senders, gauges, how they were designed and how they are supposed to work, there is an AWESOME article on the Rocky Mountain NCRS site www.ncrsrmc.org, hit the newsletter pull down and download the Sept/Oct 2002 issue. Jack Humphrey wrote this and it really excellent both as a learning and operations piece.

Hope this helps -

Pat

[Jack H.]

Gee, Pat, I'm blushing.... *NM*

[Craig S.]

Re: Gee, Pat, I'm blushing....

GREAT article Jack!!!!!

[Wes Price]

Re: Gee, Pat, I'm blushing....

Thanks for the help, I guess it works....

Wes