Temp Gauge Readings

I recall a thread where someone said there are tiny numbers in the gauge. It was not easy for eyes my age to read them but I did. 60, 90, 120, 150. I converted to Farenheit this way: C/.555 + 32 = F. I'm pretty sure this is right.

So now I have these numbers: 140, 194, 248, 302 (rounded). Here are my thoughts, for discussion:

Isn't 302 about melting temperature for my engine? Isn't 250 already too hot? With the two lines at 8 and 10 o'clock being 194 and 248, doesn't this waste the potential of using the whole gauge because operating temp will stay in this tight (8 to 10) range? How hot is too hot?

Also, does anyone rotate their tachometer so that redline is closer to 12 o'clock?


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'83 SC

Yep, 250 F is too hot, though the official limit is 130 C or 266 F.

Right again that not a lot of the sweep range of that factory gauge is very useful, at least in my opinion! I mean, what is the point of having a measurement range 20 C (36 F) beyond the safe limit?

Have you thought about getting that kit with the numbered gauge and new sensor? The tick marks are at 120, 180, 210, 250, and 300 F.

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Has your gauge and sender been tested/calibrated lately? It is possible that it is not reading accurately. The "boiling water" test might be a good start.

Otherwise, any thoughts on why your engine is running so hot? I personally start to get really nervous if/when I see ~220F. My car (70E) takes quite a while to even warm up to 180F and stays around there, usually. I live in Santa Monica CA so pretty temperate climate, rarely over 85 degs.

Chris C.

I may have left the wrong impression. My car usually cruises at or just below the 194 markIt never crosses the 248 mark. But these marks are no more than a quarter inch apart and if the needle ever got to the red, the engine would be fried at 300 degrees. The other gauge and sender would be more useful. At least now I know what it's telling me.

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'83 SC

My 78sc doesn't have the tick marks or the numbers. Would 10 O'clock represent 248 degrees as well?

Superman, I think North Hollywood Speedometer http://www.nhspeedometer.com/ might be worth a call; I'm sure they have the gauge conversion parts. Pelican might even have the kit too...

That sounds right, if I read Jim's post correctly.

Just to be sure everybody is not overly concerned, oil temp. gauges in general tend to have rather wide ranges ... if I remember correctly, the last aftermarket Stewart-Warner gauge I looked at was calibrated to 340 or 350 F on the high end of nthe scale, and I'm quite sure an American V-8 reading that high would no longer be runnung!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa