Water temp gauge?

stormpetrel · Apr 26, 2011

What do I need? Is there a certain type or anything? I don't want to buy the wrong one. Would it make sense to install oil pressure and amp gauge as well?
I'm looking forward to hearing some ideas. The tractor seems to be running just fine, but I am not willing to take any chances on overheating!!

BTW, I changed the knuckle seals today; not too hard a job, especially after just changing out the head gasket

. It did take five quarts of gear oil to top it off though...glad I ordered plenty.

Car Doc · Apr 26, 2011

I think its a good idea I did it.

I got a cheap set of gages from O'reilys a 3 gage set I think they are 1 1/2" diameter pretty small and mounted them under the steering wheel on the panel thats there.

The fittings are not the same as the tractors threads are fyi, if you use thread tape and dont go too far in NP thread will work it did for me anyway.

I left my light senders in place and tee'd the gages in fwtw. ymmv

stormpetrel · Apr 26, 2011

Car Doc said:
I think its a good idea I did it.

I got a cheap set of gages from O'reilys a 3 gage set I think they are 1 1/2" diameter pretty small and mounted them under the steering wheel on the panel thats there.

The fittings are not the same as the tractors threads are fyi, if you use thread tape and dont go too far in NP thread will work it did for me anyway.

I left my light senders in place and tee'd the gages in fwtw. ymmv

Thanks, good info. I'm looking at an Aussie-made temp gauge/alarm that bolts right onto the head. It's a little pricey, but installation is super simple & easy. No drilling holes for gauges. It eliminates the thread difference problem.

Neat 1500 · Apr 27, 2011

stormpetrel said:
Thanks, good info. I'm looking at an Aussie-made temp gauge/alarm that bolts right onto the head. It's a little pricey, but installation is super simple & easy. No drilling holes for gauges. It eliminates the thread difference problem.

which one are you looking at? we have several types of temp watchdogs made here. the 4WD fraternity like using them so why cant a tractor:thumbsup: i just used a set i bought here(australia) and they work fine, i even put a set in my YM14.

stormpetrel · Apr 27, 2011

Neat 1500 said:
which one are you looking at? we have several types of temp watchdogs made here. the 4WD fraternity like using them so why cant a tractor:thumbsup: i just used a set i bought here(australia) and they work fine, i even put a set in my YM14.

Did you have any thread-type issues? Or are these plug & play? Can you provide a link to where they can be bought?

Here's the temp alarm I'm considering.......

TRACTOR ENGINE ALARM International Kubota Yanmar Case - eBay (item 140531683332 end time May-04-11 21:34:50 PDT)

YannyMan · Apr 27, 2011

Might want to see if any of the Deeres' had any guages from the factory. If they had Yanmars in them, the thread thing might not be a problem.

winston1 · Apr 28, 2011

For what it is worth. Temperature sending threads M16 x 1.5. McMaster-Carr Oil sending threads 1/8BPT which is only 1 thread per inch different than 1/8NPT. Some have used the NPT with no problems. McMaster-Carr

Car Doc · Apr 28, 2011

stormpetrel said:
Did you have any thread-type issues? Or are these plug & play? Can you provide a link to where they can be bought?

Here's the temp alarm I'm considering.......

TRACTOR ENGINE ALARM International Kubota Yanmar Case - eBay (item 140531683332 end time May-04-11 21:34:50 PDT)

Wow that is an expensive gage I spent about $45 US on my gage set and I only drilled 1 hole 1/2" in the shin panel on mine and grommeted it you cant tell it isnt supposed to be there. fwtw

SandburRanch · Apr 28, 2011

stormpetrel said:
What do I need? Is there a certain type or anything? I don't want to buy the wrong one. Would it make sense to install oil pressure and amp gauge as well?
I'm looking forward to hearing some ideas. The tractor seems to be running just fine, but I am not willing to take any chances on overheating!!

BTW, I changed the knuckle seals today; not too hard a job, especially after just changing out the head gasket. It did take five quarts of gear oil to top it off though...glad I ordered plenty.

----------------------------------------------------------------------
After working with engines with shutdown systems I see little value in temperature and pressure gauges without that feature. The odds are that it will catch you looking the other way when the steam blows or the bearings begin to make noises we don't care to hear.

stormpetrel · Apr 28, 2011

Car Doc said:
Wow that is an expensive gage I spent about $45 US on my gage set and I only drilled 1 hole 1/2" in the shin panel on mine and grommeted it you cant tell it isnt supposed to be there. fwtw

Yep it is expensive, but I'm real gun-shy at this point. I like the idea of seeing the real time temp in big red numbers, and if I'm not looking, having an audible alarm that actually works!!

On an unhappier note, one of the newly sealed knuckles is leaking!!!

The first night after I replaced the seals....nothing. I went into the garage today, only to find the left knuckle seal with a little puddle of gear oil beneath it. This is not good!!! I can't think of what could be wrong, and, the things that it could be aint gonna be cheap to fix..........