What is the least difficult or best way to open up round Hawk Stewart Warner guages to service them? And then how do you close them up so they will slide into the chrome rings?
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Opening Hawk gauges for repair
Collapse
X
-
You don't open the gauge, you remove the rings. Take a small flat screwdriver, and carefully pry the back side crimp open. Don't try to straighten it all at once it takes about 5 passes around a little at a time. Then you have access to the gauge internals.Bez Auto Alchemy
573-318-8948
http://bezautoalchemy.com
"Don't believe every internet quote" Abe Lincoln
-
You can use a hole saw to cut a 1/4" deep hole in a 2x6. Cut the hole just barely large enough to slip the gauge ring into, then use a screwdriver to, "walk" around the ring in little bites, till you can lift the gauge out. THat's what I have done successfully on speedos and tachs. Not sure about the smaller gauges, but pretty sure it would work OK. The wood just keeps the ring in a perfect circle, and no bending too far outward.Last edited by JoeHall; 11-21-2019, 07:13 AM.
- 2 likes
Comment
-
And when you put them back together....NEVER tap the ring back into place. Stuart-Warner didn't "Hammer" them on. They are CRIMPED on. Roll the bezels back with a smooth hard piece of steel from the back side. A little at a time just as you removed them. It may take many passes to get it back tight, but do it right, and you wont damage the instrument mechanism inside.Bez Auto Alchemy
573-318-8948
http://bezautoalchemy.com
"Don't believe every internet quote" Abe Lincoln
Comment
-
I use a tool I made decades ago for pushing jewelery bezels when setting stones. It's basically a polished piece of 3/8 rod with a knob on one end as a handle, the working end of the rod is flat and smooth. A gauge bezel is pretty tough so smooth isn't really needed.
You use it by holding the knob and pushing the bezel over by rolling from the outside toward the center. I hold the gauge in one hand , close to my chest, and push with the other; but I do have a lot of practice. The "hole in the wood" idea as a holding device sounds like a good idea. I does usually take 2 to 3 times around the gauge to fold the bezel down completely.
I know people who have made crimping dies fron PVC pipe and use a large vise as a press to close gauges as well.
- 1 like
Comment
-
Originally posted by bensherb View PostI know people who have made crimping dies fron PVC pipe and use a large vise as a press to close gauges as well.
jack vines
PackardV8
- 1 like
Comment
Comment