55 temp guage

[bruno55]

I removed the original temp guage from my Belair, which has a V8, but was told it's actually the temp guage for a 6 cyl engine. Are they really different and if so, how can I tell them apart?

[acardon]

I'm pretty sure the temp gauge, capillary tube, and sender are the same in the 55 V-8 and 6 cylinder. The 56 has an electric gauge.
6 cyl temp sender and capilliary tube.....http://www.trifive.com/garage/55%20Chevy%20Assembly%20Manual/12-13.gif
8 cyl sender and capillary tube.......http://www.trifive.com/garage/55%20Chevy%20Assembly%20Manual/221-10.gif

[heli06]

I removed the original temp guage from my Belair, which has a V8, but was told it's actually the temp guage for a 6 cyl engine. Are they really different and if so, how can I tell them apart?

I just replace my 235 with a 265 and I used the same temp guage, it seems to be working fine :tu

Hope this helps :D

[jeffs55]

When I was redoing my wiring and dash, I upgraded to the 56 electric.
Install the sender and wires and you're set. Much easier to run a wire than that capillary tube, and you don't have to worry about crimping or breaking it.

[grandmas55]

1955 V8 and six use the same temp gauge/capillary tube. When I replaced my 235 with a 327, I reused the original gauge. Unless you are using an original 265 intake manifold, the capillary tube is too short to reach the V8 temp-sender threaded hole in the manifold near the front of the engine. I talked with Frank Botte, and he recommended drilling and tapping a hole in my Edelbrock intake manifold water jacket and installing the capillary tube there; I did and it works great. I installed a pipe plug in the original temp-sender hole. No need to convert to an 1956 temp gauge unless you want to or your 1955 temp gauge has been damaged. Mark