Free for all?

[FatBoy Spin]

No new posts for Classics? Can''t believe it....... Must be something bothering us! OK - I''ll start. I need to find a correct AC gauge for the water temp, but I really want a capillary version as I don''t trust electrical. Did they ever make one?Anyone got one at the back of the garage......? Anyone tried the Burton thermostat housing (for X-flows) with integral rad. cap? Anyone any views on swirl pots v. expansion tanks v. standard cooling pipework? Anyone believe ''Water Wetter'' works? I don''t have a temperature problem, but it is a TVR, so it is hereditary, isn''t it? FB-S

[thegamekeeper]

Nice to see someone with a classic alive.AC never made a capillary temp gauge, they were actually from commercial vehicles with 24v electrics which is why they will not work with a Ford sender. With the correct sender unit they are accurate enough and reliable but you do need to drill and tap the head to fit it.This is why most Vixen AC gauges have been replaced with the wrong gauge, because in the olden days when the engines were first reconditioned people got exchange engines with the standard Ford drilling for the Ford (12v)sender unit. When this sent the AC temp gauge off the scale they had the alternative to remove the cylinder head from their nice new engine, drill and tap it and fit the AC sender(which they usually didnt have because it was attatched to the original engine they had exchanged)or fit a gauge that was compatible with the Ford sender. Originality was not as important in those days as it is now. There is no need to spend money on Burtons thermostat housing with fan switch, it is standard on many Fords ie Pushrod XR2's etc. Swirl pots are not needed on the crossflow engine but an expansion bottle is a good idea, plain cap on radiator, pressure cap on expansion bottle. Alloy radiator and modern electric fan or motorcycle fans and problems with cooling gone forever.

[FatBoy Spin]

Thanks! The underbonnet needs a good sort out so that's this winter's job. I have an idea to fit a 'strut brace' type thing across the top shock mounts using alloy box, and I could mount the expansion tank on that. As far as the gauges go I appreciate the help and as the Smiths I have now works I will replace it this winter. Ta again