Barry Wolk Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Like many of the boutique cars of the early '30s, common parts were used. Was this gauge used in any other cars? Does anyone have a scrap gauge I could take this part out of? Obviously it won't say Continental, but I won't have to duplicate the part. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest De Soto Frank Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 Barry,If this is a liquid / manometer-type gauge, they were made by King-Seeley, and used in Austin, Auburn, Ford, Lincoln, Pierce, and Reo (among others); according to my 1935-'43 MoToR's Manual, the last season for them was 1935-36. I believe their use goes back to the mid-1920's, and was probably more widespread.As for finding a usable gauge mask from another application, others will have to answer that question...As I understand it, the original gauge fluid was corrosive, so finding an undamaged gauge head might be challenging ?But it appears you are dealing with the King-Seeley "Hydrostatic" gauge system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 The temperature side works. I'm going to put some gas in it tomorrow to see if that gauge works. If no one responds I'll attempt to make one out of brass and paint it as best I can. I'm trying hard not to restore the car, but this was just plain ugly.Interestingly, the name you mentioned came up in my research. However, the service manual says the gauge set was made by the A.C. Spark Plug Company. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 I believe that "sympathetic restoration" of certain parts of a car that look like that, does not de-value its original or "survivor" status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 Could you explain what a sympathetic restoration is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grimy Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Scan it, Photoshop the background color and script, print onto a decalomania. I haven't done it myself but had it done to a 1934 Pierce speedo face with superb results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest De Soto Frank Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Barry,I don't know if AC made a similar gauge or not... I seem to recall something about Buick using hydrostatic gauges in the early Thirties, but do not know if this is accurate or who made them.That said, the early Ford V-8 guys, Lincoln and Pierce folks have dealt with this system and it's issues, so hopefully one of them will speak-up...Is the mask painted or is it vitreous enamel fired onto the steel ("porcelain" ) ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest De Soto Frank Posted January 23, 2011 Share Posted January 23, 2011 Could you explain what a sympathetic restoration is?Well, last year, the term included taking the 1925 Hudson Super-Six "Okie truck" from the movie "The Grapes of Wrath" and "sympathetically restoring" it into a red racer, complete with an aeroplane -type tail...But I digress... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 Is the mask painted or is it vitreous enamel fired onto the steel ("porcelain" ) ?It's painted steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted January 23, 2011 Author Share Posted January 23, 2011 Unfortunately, the gas gauge does not work. Fortunately, the car was supposed to get 30 mpg. One friend has taken the metal, sand-blasted the rust away and is reinforcing it with fiberglass and filling the distressed metal. Another friend is photoshopping what remains and will create an image that can be printed onto bumper sticker vinyl to overlay the repaired backplate.Thanks for the ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest De Soto Frank Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 I was going to suggest trying to repair the damaged metal and re-paint.Good luck - please show the results ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Will do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 Could you explain what a sympathetic restoration is?My definition of the term is in restoring parts that have little or no value in remaining original, for the sake of being original. The heavy amount of rust on that piece was not there when original, so in my opinion, restoring that piece is not only acceptable, but makes it more desirable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry Wolk Posted January 24, 2011 Author Share Posted January 24, 2011 Thanks. I just posted a headlight question. Can you look at that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Friartuck Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 My suggestion is basically been presented. Using a computer graphics program like Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, recreate the black lettering and gauge's scale. Print on regular paper to get font, size and scale correct. There are two printing methods instead of the bumper sticker vinyl. The shade of the vinyl may not match to the paint. Print on clear Laser labels and cut to fit which will only print the black and not have the white mismatch. Another alternative is to use a color ink jet printer. There is a kit (spray) available that lets you make water soluable decals using printings from an ink jet printer. The clear label is probably the easiest.Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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