Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Miken]

The calormeter on my Morris does not work.
The needle starts to move as the engine warms but barely gets out of the "cool" sector.
I have put it in a saucepan of boiling water on the stove and nothing further happens.
I have unscrewed and removed the glass lenses, blown out a load of dust and given the needle a poke with my finger to see if that helps but it doesnt.
Has anyone managed to dismantle one of these further and repaired it?
Thanks, Mike

[Penman]

Hi
Having looked at this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FnV6zR9h5U
I noticed that the central "yoke" on yours is not in the same place as the video for the same indication.
I would be tempted to split it (4 screws) and see if it can be re-positioned and lubricate it at the same time. using a very light oil and perhaps a feather to apply it.
The operation is apparently a bi-metal strip in the down tube.

There is a discussion on here as well.
http://www.triple-mregister.org/forums/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&whichpage=1&TOPIC_ID=11086
_________________
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[Miken]

Well that was disappointing.
I thought I would have another look at my calorometer.
As I carefully removed the glasses again, it fell apart in my hand.
The old alloy appears to have the tensile strength of a sponge cake.
I easily broke off another piece with my thumb.
On the plus side and with nothing to loose I decided to have another go at making it work.
I filled up from the top, the inside of the stem part with penetrating oil and left it for 30 mins. After tipping it out I warmed the stem of the calormeter up and it now works.
Whoop-dee-f-!**ng-doo!

[alastairq]

That's a boooger!

I don't suppose the surround was actually mazac? [Which tends to ''rot'' sometimes, if the original alloy mix was wrong]

However, I fully expect, knowing your skills, to see the next post describing how you turned up a metal case for the gubbins & glasses to sit in?

Good luck with it....

[Keith D]

I don't know if it helps much in the UK, but those Calorometers were fitted to wartime and post-war Fordson tractors in Oz. I think that's where mine came from. It may be an avenue to search for another one.

Keith
_________________
1926 Chrysler 60 tourer
1932 Austin Seven RN long wheelbase box sedan
1950 Austin A40 tourer
1999 BMW Z3
Its weird being the same age as old people.
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