1960 gauge problem

I installed a rebuilt engine and have a problem with the temp guage working properly. As soon as I turn the key on, the guage goes over to hot. I have tried different temp sendsers and they all do the same thing. I called a local gauge rebuilder and he tells me I am getting the wrong sender. The guage does drop down when I unplug the sender. I checked voltage at the sender wire and it is battery voltage. Does this car have a voltage regulator for the instruments like most other cars?

You should have an IVR or Instrument Voltage Regulator screwed into the backside of the steel instrument housing. It is supposed to give an average of 5 volts to the couple of instruments.

To check yours out, simply connect in a light bulb in series with the wire and to the sending unit on the block. When engine is not running, but key on, the light bulb ought to blink. If it stays on, or no glow what so ever, then the IVR is K-putt. Pretty fast way to check the IVR out. But, don't install just a VOM, for it needs the drain caused by the bulb to cause the fluctuation.



Wm.