Motometer Repair

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2009: Motometer Repair
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 09:11 am:

I have a very nice (looking) Boyce motometer that apparently has a cracked thermometer in it. Is there anyone out there who repair these things? It seems a shame for it to go to waste.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Cascisa in Poulsbo, WA on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 10:25 am:

There are no replacement bulbs available for the small motometer. Some of the other parts are available from Restoration Supply

http://www.restorationstuff.com/

Be_Zero_Be


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 03:25 pm:

Well their catalog is certainly a find for a host of other reasons!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 03:48 pm:

Well their catalog is certainly a find for a host of other reasons!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 07:45 pm:

Steve,

I have the same problem and have searched for a new Boyce thermometer bulb in vain. When I get some time, I plan to look for a new bulb at such places as kitchen supply houses, aquarium supply houses, and scientific supply houses. I think the old one will come out with some help from a drill or screwdriver. I was planning on cementing the new one in with high temperature silicone rubber. If you do this, remember to angle it so that it can be read from the driver's seat.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 08:17 pm:

Neil,

It appears to be to be held in place with some solder...I'm not sure - I've not tried to remove it yet. I intend to ask the folks selling the bulb for the "senior" if they can obtain bulbs for the "junior."

Let us know if you find a suitable fit though. I'm sure we are not alone.

Steve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Deichmann on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 08:25 pm:

Did you checked out that catalog from Restauration Stuff? Page 52 looks as if they have something.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 08:35 pm:

Michael,

They do show the thermometer for the senior, but say the junior is not available.

Steve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Chaffin on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 08:47 pm:

Vintique Inc is the manufacture of the new Boyce and Ford motometers. They use to sell parts and repaie motometers but do not know if they still do. Their number is 714-634-1932. Ask fo Ceasar


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 08:51 pm:

How supremely logical...call the people who make them now.

Thanks Glenn. Why didn't I think of that?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 06:27 am:

Steve,

If you call Ceasar and are successful (or not), please let us know.

I was not able to find the manufacturer. Thanks Glen for that information.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Deichmann on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 09:12 am:

@Steve - I realised that when I reread the catalog a little later. Sorry (but thank you Bob for pointing us to Restauration Stuff!)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 12:52 pm:

I did speak with Ceaser this morning. Very nice fellow. They do not sell the bulb as a stand alone part given the very tricky nature of its installation. If not done correctly it breaks. I asked him to consider coming on the forum and explaining the issue to us in more detail and he may do so.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By , on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 02:28 pm:

No issue. Simple math. Sell a $3 thermometer or sell a $53 gauge and $25 accessory. Which would you do?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 04:15 pm:

Yeh, .. , .. (dittohead), trash the vendor.

I've worked on airliner electromechanical instruments that take all the skills of an electronics tech and a of jeweler, so I am up to about any challenge. About 10 years ago, my Jr. motometer was coming apart. I tried fixing it, and broke the bulb. I ordered a replacement bulb from Lang's and broke it, too. Then I shipped it to Lang's, who repaired it, or had it repaired for me, at a modest charge. Thanks, Don!

I don't know why it should have given trouble. Maybe they just don't build 'em like they used to...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 07:32 pm:

Was not my intent to call any wrath down upon any vendor. I'm not passing judgement either way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By , on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 11:28 pm:

Trash the vendor? How did your petulant little mind come to that conclusion? I think the manufacturer is brilliant!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Chaffin on Wednesday, September 30, 2009 - 12:10 am:

I don't know about today, but in the past Vintique would repair motometers if it was one of theirs.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Neil Kaminar on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 07:11 am:

Glen,

If you have the address for Vintique Inc., please post it of email it to me. I will be in the LA area next week and would like to visit them.

Neil


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Glen Chaffin on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 12:27 pm:

Vintique Inc., 1828 W. Sequoia Ave.. Orange, Ca. 92868. Near Angels Stadium. 714-634-1932. Fax: 800-822-1262
Harold (Owner), Chad (President) or Ceaser (Operations)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Edward Allen on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 12:41 pm:

Please look at our website
www.russell-scientific.co.uk
we repair Boyce Motometer thermometers,blowing new glass thermometers in both mercury or spirit filling. We receive them and other thermometers from all over the world.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DAREL J. LEIPOLD on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 01:47 pm:

I used to repair Moto meters and at that time had a stock of thermometers. I imported the meters and parts from Germany. The old US meters had a brass cap on the bottom and the tube was filled with a simi hard material. I would drill out the tube and clean out old parts. Them there was plenty of room to install the thermometer. I would use body putty to hold the glass thermometer in place. Did quite a few of them and they seemed to hold up,


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 02:49 pm:

Edward?

any idea of cost to replace the thermometer in one and do nothing else?

Steve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Galbraith on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 08:07 pm:

I came upon this site via Google. I recently picked up a replacement thermometer for Motometer, 1928-31 at an Estate sale. It is brand new in the box. It is for JR. Motometer. It is mfg. by Vintique. Part # is A-18355-U. Did not know if anyone needed one of these. I can supply a picture if needed. It is a simple thermometer glass tube attached to a brass stem, rubber seal and nut. Comes with instruction sheet.  My email address is: runforlife77@comcast.net

SG


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 02:14 pm:

Spoke with Mr. Galbraith and have the part he has secured in the mail to me. It was made (apparently in the past) by Vintique - same folks who now make the new Motometers. Apparently in the past they did sell parts. Pictures attached along with the instructions. Appears the only issue in installing is one of making sure the hole at the top does not bind with the bulb. If I prove myself able to do it then we will have proof that anyone can.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DAREL J. LEIPOLD on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 04:36 pm:

To repair a vintage Moto Meter made by the original company one only needs the thermometer. The original ones did not use the threaded piece shown. The original company was an off shoot of the Taylor Thermometer Company. The ones in my collection from circa 1912 list the manufacture as the Thomas Company. The name was changed to "Moto Meter" in a year or tow after that.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 07:25 pm:

Ahh....yes I discovered this today in trying to remove the threaded piece. As the lower portion is pretty well destroyed I will now attempt cutting, drilling, and tapping. I fully expct to offer up the repair part in a few days.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brian c lawrence on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 08:22 pm:

Darel,

Ive been watching this thread, and tore apart my original Boyce moto meter today. Mine is not broke physically anywhere, the "tube" is all red. i tried to freeze it, heat it, and that whole swinging from a rope thing. I think it's just bad. The parts you are talking about, are they O.K. for a Boyce? It looked to me today that my thermometer part did not thread into the "bulb" maybe it does and I should take a closer look.

Brian


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By brian c lawrence on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 08:31 pm:

Steve,

How much was the part he has mailed to you? Do they have more in stock. Please keep us posted on the cutting grinding and tapping to install the new piece.

Brian


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Shelton on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 11:40 pm:

Brian,

He obtained the part with a bunch of stuff at an estate sale. I offered him $20 for it, figuring that was a little less than half the price of a whole new meter. Its the only one he had. I did talk to Vintique a few weeks ago. Ceaser there said they no long sell the part due to difficulty in installing. Some on this thread have opined other motives.

I cut off the brass tube base on my original Boyce tonight. Its a 7/16 tube so should drill a 25/64 and take a tap from there. I'm waiting to get the part in the mail to check the thread count. Who knows, this may work. Surely NOT the preferred approach but I had gone too far before realizing the originals didn't have a screw in base. Finding a source for just the tube would seem to be the correct solution.

Steve


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 12:17 am:

Anyone know what they call this model? It's a Boyce Motometer I'm about to replate and repair. Not sure if it's original or a reproduction. The last patent date is Aug 13, 1918.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken-SAT on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 12:19 am:

Forgot to mention: Notice the swagged-in end cap on the bottom of the bulb tube.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Berch on Friday, October 23, 2009 - 12:53 am:

Ken that's a "Radio" model. As far as I know they don't reproduce those. I'm certainly not an authority on them but one way to tell the original is the Plug in the bottom of the stem and the fluid was always red.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 10:03 am:

Brian, Got mine to work by dipping in boiling water a few seconds then tapping the end against my tire, took several tries but the red did go back down. Always store your moto meter in an upright position if not in use. Have fun, Keith B


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