Oil Pressure Gauge Repair
A funny thing happened to me during last year's National Meeting. I spyed a speck of dust on my TR3B's oil pressure gauge whislt driving down the main road to the hotel. Instinctively I gave it a wipe. Both the lense and the chrome rim ended up in my hand. I did a good job of catching them but I must have brushed the exposed needle and it ended up stuck at 70 lbs at all times. Of course I had to fix it for the Concours but once I had it back together and working, the gauge was reading zero at idle. OK I was not freaking a whole bunch but as everyone knows that is rather unnerving. I assumed I hurt the needle a bit.
So I now have this ugly replacement type gauge in there that is reading OK. Where or how can I get my Concours quality gauge recalibrated? I must have bent the tabs on the rim back too far when cleaning the gauge. I am assuming that restorers can not repair an old gauge that has a discolored face/needle. Is that correct? NOS oil pressure gauges seem to be hard to find too.
Thanks in advance for any assistance,
Darrell
Nisonger's might be able to do the calibration and cosmetics. The face of the gauge can usually be cleaned with a cotton swab soaked soaked in a mild cleaning solution (I used Windex :) or replaced with another from a donor gauge if it's really marred. You can carefully bend the needle upwards just enough to slide the face off. The needle can be easily repainted after calibration with a fine artist's brush. Very slightly flawed gauge face markings can be touched up too if you've the eye and patience for it. Use a thinned (1/2) flat paint on the needle so it will flow and pick up a very slight gloss - dry brushmarks on the needle won't do.
The thin rubber seal between the gauge and the chrome lens often dries out and breaks apart, and to my knowledge isn't replaceable as a fixed part. I salvaged better ones from other gauges on the TR3A, trading bits and bobs from one gauge to another and touching up when required. Check with Nisonger's; they might have them.
Darrell:
I can recommend John Wolf Co. in Willoughby OH, which is pretty close to you. You could hand carry your gauge to them and discuss what you want done the old fashioned way, face to face. http://www.antiqueinstrument.com/index.html
Mark
I went to their site. Looks like they do a pretty broad range of stuff. I couldn't help but notice the BMW data plate in the gallery...
Recently I used West LA Automotive Inc. to rebuild my 49 Mayflower Temp gauge. I tested it when it got home and it was spot on. their website is www.speedometerplus.com The turn around time was fairly reasonable.
Just a quick follow up. I sent the gauge off to Nissongers right before the National Meeting. I paid $40 extra for express service and received the gauge back in 6 working days. Although I thought the overall repair cost was a little high the quality of restoration was excellent.
Darrell
