Author Topic: Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges  (Read 3761 times)

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Offline SuperSix

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Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges
« on: September 18 2014, 02:18:43 PM »
Figured out while putting the GN back together that I didn't have a boost gauge. I had sacrificed mine to the son's car, an Autometer carbon fiber one that came with the car.

I found the old, broken VDO in a parts pile, and took a close look at it. It had frozen at ~4PSI , it's a -30-0+25PSI vac/boost gauge. After taking out the light bulb, I could see the bourdon tube. After poking around I "unfroze" the needle, and it moved fine. Maybe the moisture did something, I don't know. Using some tools, I tweaked the bourdon tube until the gauge was at 0.  I hooked up my Motormite vacuum pump, and the vacuum readings were spot on between the two.

I was curious about opening it to clean it, the front glass was fogged internally. After Googling a bit, it seems the old VW guys at TheSamba have experience taking apart the VDO gauges with the crimped bezels, mostly speedos..

Turns out all you need is a small flat headed screwdriver, some patience, and a few minutes to rest, as your hand WILL Cramp up.

You pry until you get the edge of the screwdriver under the crimped part, then work it around, lifting the crimp as you go. After going around a few times, the gauge will come apart. I got it apart w.o damaging the bezel at all - actually, now that it's out, I can try to fix a few dents it had from the years of use.

I plan to clean and lubricate the mech, and repaint the faded indicator needle. I won't be using this gauge - If all goes well, I will put it back in the T (The rest of the gauges are VDO) and save the Autometer as a backup.

Exploded view, with screwdriver used..


I found the black plastic lens holder is cracked, that doesn't help. I will glue/reseal this. I put the rubber gasket in the broken part to illustrate:


Pic of internal mech with flash:


Another angle w/o flash:


'87 GN, 60lb, TA49, THDP, FTP cam, T+ lots o' shit - SOLD
'07 Ford F150 Lariat 2WD, 5.4L 3v - 255k
'20 Kubota BX2380. FEL, 60" deck
'78 IH/Case 184 Lo-Boy
'99 Kawasaki Bayou 400 4x4

Offline Top Speed

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Re: Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges
« Reply #1 on: September 18 2014, 05:35:32 PM »
Ok smart guy.  Now put it back together.
Champion Irons w/T&D roller rockers, TA-61 turbo, 206/206 Comp Cam,  57 lb/hr Siemens Injectors, 3000 stall PTC, PTE Plenum w/RJC Power Plate, 70 mm Accufab Throttle Body, RJC 325 Megacooler, TurboTweak 5.7/ Alky Control w/M1 methanol, 23 psig on the street, Puddn' Power engine, Borla Exhaust

Chris

Offline SuperSix

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Re: Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges
« Reply #2 on: September 18 2014, 05:40:25 PM »
Ok smart guy.  Now put it back together.

I already did, numb-nuts. Not crimped yet though - I need to figure out a close shade of paint for the needle.
'87 GN, 60lb, TA49, THDP, FTP cam, T+ lots o' shit - SOLD
'07 Ford F150 Lariat 2WD, 5.4L 3v - 255k
'20 Kubota BX2380. FEL, 60" deck
'78 IH/Case 184 Lo-Boy
'99 Kawasaki Bayou 400 4x4

Offline TexasT

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Re: Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges
« Reply #3 on: September 18 2014, 08:35:03 PM »
I'm pretty sure super glue was invented to glue that ring down so it holds the glass proppa.
Rich

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Offline daveismissing

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Re: Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges
« Reply #4 on: September 19 2014, 08:55:57 AM »
Seems to be one of those things where there's only one or two makers of the bezels and they don't talk about quantities less than 10,000
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Offline Top Speed

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Re: Yes, you can open 2 1/16" gauges
« Reply #5 on: September 19 2014, 11:47:33 AM »
I had confidence you could do it.
Champion Irons w/T&D roller rockers, TA-61 turbo, 206/206 Comp Cam,  57 lb/hr Siemens Injectors, 3000 stall PTC, PTE Plenum w/RJC Power Plate, 70 mm Accufab Throttle Body, RJC 325 Megacooler, TurboTweak 5.7/ Alky Control w/M1 methanol, 23 psig on the street, Puddn' Power engine, Borla Exhaust

Chris

 

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