Dual Gauge Disassembly Tips

[ukkid35]

The amount of work it takes just to get the thing out of the car is absurd

I've done this before, at least twice, but it was a long time ago and I obviously found it so distressing that I buried the memories

I can definitely see the appeal of fitting one of the SPA digital gauges, like Gruffalo, even if they look completely out of place

However the faff of getting a custom made coolant pipe for the temp sensor means the entire project could almost reach four figures

[DuncanM]

ukkid35 said:

The amount of work it takes just to get the thing out of the car is absurd

I've done this before, at least twice, but it was a long time ago and I obviously found it so distressing that I buried the memories

I can definitely see the appeal of fitting one of the SPA digital gauges, like Gruffalo, even if they look completely out of place

However the faff of getting a custom made coolant pipe for the temp sensor means the entire project could almost reach four figures

I'm tempted to switch to electric in the future, thoughts on using the existing ecu temp switch wiring, and just splicing it in? In my simple head, electric temp sensors will use the same signals?

Then just a simple bung in the old hole.

For your current issue, can you not just pull the gauge out a bit, into the cab, rather than removing the sensor?

[ukkid35]

DuncanM said:

I'm tempted to switch to electric in the future, thoughts on using the existing ecu temp switch wiring, and just splicing it in? In my simple head, electric temp sensors will use the same signals?

Then just a simple bung in the old hole.

For your current issue, can you not just pull the gauge out a bit, into the cab, rather than removing the sensor?

My 928 has a temp sensor that is used by two separate ECUs, but it has two circuits, I imagine something similar would be needed if the sensor were to be shared

[ukkid35]

I left all the excess capillary tube coiled at the sensor end, rather than behind the dash, so I definitely had to remove the gauge completely

I won't be doing that again, and I'm expecting to need to replace the bezel with a new one in due course, the replacement I've ordered (which isn't the right finish anyway) won't arrive in time

[ukkid35]

MerlinMotorsport said:

Thank you for your enquiry. The Telemetrix bezels are rolled on rather than clipped on like the one you linked to. SO we do not stock the Telemetrix ones as they are tricky to fit unless you have the correct tool.

Smiths do not offer anything in Aluminium which clips on unfortunately. We can order the Telemetrix bezels from Smiths for you if you wish, but not sure how you could fit them!

[notaping]

Yeah! Fiddly operation all round. But good to know they can get bezels if they're ever needed. Just need to build some sort of bezel roll jig now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qMF5U6Fnzc&t=...

[ukkid35]

notaping said:

Yeah! Fiddly operation all round. But good to know they can get bezels if they're ever needed. Just need to build some sort of bezel roll jig now

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qMF5U6Fnzc&t=...

That would be tricky with any gauge with a capillary tube

[WIL35]

ukkid35 said:

However the faff of getting a custom made coolant pipe for the temp sensor means the entire project could almost reach four figures

I think ACT have them ready made with the shorter temp sensor boss, after Gruffalo's request. I'm sure it was only £120 a few years ago.

[DuncanM]

DuncanM said:

BHA4900 is the same gauge, just need to swap face and bezel.

I bought new for under £100 a few years back.

https://www.bmcparts.co.uk/products/mgb-dual-oil-w...

To add link, good price.

Not sure if this is falling on deaf ears, the above part is the same gauge, apart from face, bezel and hands. I found it a relatively simple task to swap them over, the bezel isn't brittle, so it's very unlikely you'd break it.

I wouldn't pay more than £80-100 to replace this gauge.

[ukkid35]

DuncanM said:

Not sure if this is falling on deaf ears, the above part is the same gauge, apart from face, bezel and hands. I found it a relatively simple task to swap them over, the bezel isn't brittle, so it's very unlikely you'd break it.

I wouldn't pay more than £80-100 to replace this gauge.

That is a great option, it's just the need to open it up and swap everything over that puts me off

Once I see how badly I butcher the bezel, and whether I'd need to try to get a replacement from Merlin (still no guarantee that they can supply them, just an offer to order them), I'll have a better idea

[DuncanM]

ukkid35 said:

That is a great option, it's just the need to open it up and swap everything over that puts me off

Once I see how badly I butcher the bezel, and whether I'd need to try to get a replacement from Merlin (still no guarantee that they can supply them, just an offer to order them), I'll have a better idea

You'll wonder what all the fuss is about, you've done way harder on your Cerbera

[ukkid35]

DuncanM said:

You'll wonder what all the fuss is about, you've done way harder on your Cerbera

Thanks for all your help and advice, nevertheless, I didn't enjoy that









My girlfriend lent me the tools I needed, would have made a big mess otherwise

[DuncanM]

Well played chap, horrible but doable imo, skilz on calibration technique, I shall do the same if I can ever be bothered

[notaping]

Well done. How did you crimp the bezel back on? If that's a pic of it (bottom one) - looks brill. Now for a road test

[Luckyone]

ukkid35 said:

Anyone had one repaired by the ironically named SpeedyCables recently, if so how much?

They charged me a very reasonable £45 ++ but that was 12 years ago

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=&t=2065746

I think they quoted me £120 not too long ago, so it's gone up a bit! Needless to say I didn't send it to them.

I used heat to get the sensor end out of old pipe, I was very pleased to get it out intact then it occurred to me to look at the gauge, it was off the end of the readings! I think it moved the needle hitting the end stop, I managed to get the surround off, used hot water in the pipe with the engine temp sensor installed too & a thermometer to check it all matched. I found I needed a new engine temp sensor in the process but it now reads spot on (with the tube in a totally different place - well away from the exhaust). I thought I'd messed up the surround getting it off, but it bent back very well & there is no trace of repair now.