Yes - the Magnolis gauges do match the old off white units I have the new
tach and temp gauge alongside th old units (which could do with new decalls
as they are alittle faded).
However we have stablished after two weeks of trial and error because the GB
instruments who sell the gauges to nisonger really do not understand the
units.
1. The new tachs will only work with a negative earth 9I converted my car).
2. The new Smiths tach will work with the Pertronix ignition system but the
old Smiths electronic pulsing units will not.
3. The new tachs will work on a 12-17 volt circuit.
4. The new temperature gauges will not work on a positive earth system
because they need a voltage regulator (for 10 volts).
5. The voltage regulator must be installed with the new temp unit otherwise
it will read too high a temperature (typically 130 deg C instead of 90 deg.
C).
6. The voltage regulator will actually burn out if you connect it up to a
positive ground system.
I have been through all this over the last few weeks and Woody at Nisonger
should know what the deal is now.
The gauges are very good but like most electronic parts the system must be
compatible.
You generally find if you buy parts in the Uk they are half the cost of
buying them here but bear in mind the importer/agent has had to pay
transport, duty, handing and wants to make a profit. This is just as true
from buying Morgan parts. I try to go to the UK a lot. Last year I brought
in crankshaft and rods, gemmer gearbox apart from various Riley parts for
the Ulster Imp I am rebuilding including two engines.
Good Luck, Mike Virr
----- Original Message -----
From: smanwell <smanwell@sprintmail.com>
To: MICHAEL VIRR <virrmj@prodigy.net>
Cc: <morgans@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, April 24, 2001 8:56 PM
Subject: Re: Smiths Instruments
> Hi Mike,
>
> I have been thinking of similar mods to my 4/4. The present electric
> temperature gauge reads 30C well after the thermostat opens (and the
> radiator header tank is hot) and this same gauge gets erratic at high
> temps. Like the rest of my gauges, it is black-face, but should be
> cream/magnolia. The new Smiths magnolia-face gauge looks like it would
> be just right.
>
> Do you find that the new magnolia gauges are close in color to the
> original cream Morgan gauges?
>
> I called Nisonger to get more info on their new gauges and learned two
> curious things: 1) They say either their "classic" or "racing"
> tachometers will work with Pertronix distributor units. (Does this mean
> older electric tach's also work with Pertronix? 2) the voltage
> stabilizer required upstream of a temp or fuel gauge can be used with
> either pos. or neg. ground. One thing to be aware of with gauges in
> general is that different gauges require different stabilizers -- some
> 10V, some 12V, etc.
>
> Also, I was surprised to find that Holden Vintage and Classic in
> Bromyard, England sell the same line of gauges (apparently) for about
> half the prices that Nisonger quoted. (Maybe only relevant to those
> that have time to wait for the shipment.) Their catalog also lists
> Kenlowe electric fans, which is another item on my wish list in the
> battle against overheating. For what it's worth the Holden catalog also
> mentions a 3.50 GBP "installation kit" allowing use of their tachs on
> pos. ground cars.
>
> For the other gauges, I may buy a new Smiths magnolia tach, (present one
> reads about twice what it should) but hope to have the original (now
> black face) 3-way cluster refaced and rebuilt. Also need to find a
> speedometer close enough to original so it could be rebuilt to cream
> face / Morgan spec.
>
> --Steve Manwell
> Melrose, MA
> '57 4/4
>
>
>
> MICHAEL VIRR wrote:
> >
> > I dont know if most Moggie owners are aware of it but Smiths instruments
are
> > being made new again by CAI Caerbont Automotive Instruments in Swansea,
South
> > Wales, Great Britain (Wales is definitely not in England). They are
> > represented over here by GB Instruments, Inc. in North Canton, Ohio Tel
> > 888-545-9775 and have web page http://www.gbinstruments.com.
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