repurpose water temp guage?

[Jim Kraska]

I need to replace the case-o-matic fluid temp guage in my Case 530 but I can't seem to find one. I am thinking about purchasing a garden variety bulb-type water temp guage and replacing its face with the face from my old guage. The thing is, I don't know what the normal operating temperature range would be for the converter oil. Would the oil ever get hot enough to peg the water temp guage and still be within the oil's normal operating range? Any ideas?
Thanks
 

[Roger Roemen]

I used an off the rack water temp gauge in my 800 and have used it in tractor pulls, disking etc and have never come close to peging it out.
 

[Jim Kraska]

Do you mean you used it as a water temp guage or as a converter fluid temp guage?
 

[Joe (Wa)]

You might consider using an oil temperature gauge. Normal oil temp typically runs 220 - 240 degs F in diesel engines. I don't know what the gas engines run, probably not too much lower.

Joe
 

[Don L.]

You may find this on the industial side. A generic gauge in a Case box.
Don L.
 

[Jim Kraska]

Thanks for all your inputs. I just ordered a 140-300 degree oil temp guage with an electrical sensor. I think if I put the stock Case temp face in this guage I'll be good to go.
 

[Jim Kraska]

I purchased a temp gauge from AutoMeter that went from 140 to 300 degrees. The model number was 2543. I then removed the bezel from the gauge and removed the faceplate. Using the AutoMeter faceplate as a template, I modified the original Case Torque Converter temperature gauge to fit in the AutoMeter body. I then reinstalled the glass and bezel. I think it turned out well. I now have an electric sensor gauge with an original Case faceplate. Whole project took about an hour.