Some of use like to keep our dash boards as stock as possible. One item that is frequently broken upon removal is the temperature gauge bulb in the block. But not to fear, it is a very easy thing to repair.

I had gotten a very nice original for my 49 since I was putting it back to stock with patina. The bulb had a slight crack in it so all the ether leaked out.



I cut the wire and small copper tube in an area that would be hidden under the dash. I also bought a cheapo temp gauge that had the wire outer case too. I cut that one appropriately to match the length I cut off the original gauge AFTER letting the bulb sit in a cup of water (FULLY SUBMERGED) in the freezer for the night. This does two things; one, it keeps the ether down in the bulb so it won't escape and two, it reduces the risk of fire/explosion Note: when cutting the small copper tubing, be sure it is clear of debris. It crushes very easily! I then cut a piece of 1/8" copper tubing a soldered in as a splice. I would recommend using an electric soldering gun too! It might be worth your while to practice a few times on the piece you cut off your original gauge.





And now, your dash is back to stock with a good working gauge!

Yeah, iPhones suck sometimes at taking pictures if it is too light or dark. 

Yes, you want to keep it as cold as possible, so leaving the bulb in a chunk of ice insures this. I did check it with boiling water (after it thawed out so it didn't expand and crack again!) and it was very close. I use silverbrite and regular flux as you would for copper piping work in your house and what not. I'm not a fan of the fluxcore stuff or the thin electrical stuff.

Believe it or not, I posted this on the 2A page a while ago when I first did this, and I didn't get that great of a response.  So I figured I would repost here since you wanted some how-tos. 

That really is a good right up.  I'm glad you were able to save it.  In the interest of full disclosure, I wish I would have known it didn't work when I sent it your way.  I guess everything works out when you got your skills!!

Tim

Next time put the bulb and as much of the copper tube into dry ice and keep it there as you solder the two tubes together. Constant cooling will eliminate any loss of the ether while soldering. The issue is, just how much of the ether is still in a defective temp gauge.

If I can find a practice temp gauge I'll take that apart first before trying the one I want to save.....I'll post my results...

Randy