Oil temperature bulb adapter

[M Towsley]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Hey Dave,

PM sent. The instrument restorer guys offered to taper bore my old one, however, there is very little material that would be left. The local A&P instructors at a local school took a look, measured it, and thought it would probably break with a little torque. That is why I was looking for one that is already correct. Thanks again!!!

[Guest]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

I will put in mail Tuesday.

I think they are wrong about boring it out. The o.d. in the threaded area is the same on both the 3/8" and 7/16" so I am pretty sure that a bored one will be the same as a "factory" one. The shoulder (edge) is quite small but I can see that it is tapered.

Got your address on the PM, will drop off at USPO Tuesday. Looking for it was an adventure. LOL I found parts of stuff I forgot that I had and then wondered where the rest of it was. Searched in circles for a while and then realized that the item you wanted was on my workbench on a tool box and I see it every day! (but couldn't find it) My executor is going to be annoyed (or rent a big dumpster).

Dave

[M Towsley]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Thanks, Dave. Yeah, my daughter probably won't be happy liquidating my stuff when the time comes, lol.

The original small one that I removed from my plane is smaller and doesn't have the material in that area causing it to be really thin if drilled.

The A/C Spruce one has the mounting area for the bulb up higher in the adapter offering more metal in that area. Difficult to describe but is easily seen when you have both in your hand.

[Guest]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Ha! bad luck for me.

I broke my oil temp bulb off of the capillary tube today.

The bulb was stuck in the fitting and the capillary broke as I tried to wiggle it loose.

I was told by one shop that it would cost about $200 to fix it so I ordered a new PMA one from Univair for about $200.

Dave

[Robert Lees]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Both of you:

Send the bits to a vintage automotive specialist. They just replace the capillary tube (using your hardware, so it will fit). In the UK we use companies such as http://www.speedograph-richfield.com/

Rob

[M Towsley]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Rob,

For the third time: I HAD MINE RESTORED BY A VINTAGE AUTOMOTIVE/AIRCRAFT INSTRUMENT SPECIALIST. He was the guy who put the large, tapered bulb on that screwed up my installing my newly rebuilt gauge. They apparently don't use the smaller temperature bulb anymore.

Thanks to Dave, he sent me a correct, tapered adapter that fits my NEWLY REBUILT gauge's large temp bulb. Unfortunately, shoulder surgery is slowing my progress of getting me NEWLY REBUILT gauge installed. Thanks again, Dave!

[Bravo 6]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Any leads on where to obtain the tapered adapter? Per your comment Marty about the part from Aircraft Spruce is not acceptable? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[M Towsley]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

The A/C Spruce part is NOT tapered. They said it was, but it was not. The instrument restorer told me they themselves used to have them, but no longer do. So, either someone who has one they are not using or perhaps another instrument restorer. Or, perhaps have someone taper the Spruce part.

I hesitate, as I stated earlier, to have the old one drilled and tapered as the metal will be too thin to safely tighten without possibly breaking. The correct tapered one is tapered a bit higher so there is plenty of thick metal to take the tightening torque. I held them next to each other and easily noted the difference.

Good luck!

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

What we need is a GOOD drawing of the adapter. We should be able to machine one.

Hank

No promises on the cost. ;-)

[Bravo 6]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Thanks Marty,

I will keep my eyes open for an adapter.

[M Towsley]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

You are welcome, and good luck!

[Guest]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

I am confused now. Are you looking for merely a taper? Look at post #15 of this thread and you will see a picture of a new tapered one that I have.

That is not what Marty got, he got the brass one with taper but large hole. What are you looking for Greg?

I think I have one more of those brass ones with large hole.

Dave

[Bravo 6]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

Dave,

I need an adapter that fits the 7/16's temp bulb and has the tapered mating surface. I believe I need the same type that you sent to Marty?

Thanks for clarifying this Dave.

[Guest]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

I believe that I have one.

Here is the skinny, I needed one for smaller i.d. about 20 years ago so I soldered a copper sleeve inside it.

Heat the unit, melt the solder and pull out the sleeve.

Interested?

Dave

[Bravo 6]

Re: Oil temperature bulb adapter

That would be great Dave!

Thanks!

I will pm you with address and you can let me know what I owe you.