How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW Technical questions and discussions, regarding anything related to the WWII jeep.
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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by John Neuenburg » Mon Dec 21, 2020 9:58 am

Excellent old thread, I hope all the pictures stay viewable forever.

Using the terms "driver side" and "passenger side" when describing left and right things that change when you view from front or rear of vehicle will eliminate confusion, assuming everybody knows what side the steering is on!
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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by Jpjedi » Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:47 pm

My gauge has a broken glass. It is part of the original cluster so no way I am exchanging it. But to be honest, I cannot find a single vendor for a spare glass or spare bezel. Could anybody tell me where you can purchase glass and bezels? Otherwise the most simple thing is to buy a repro gauge and canabalise it.

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by YLG80 » Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:46 pm

Jpjedi wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:47 pm
My gauge has a broken glass. It is part of the original cluster so no way I am exchanging it. But to be honest, I cannot find a single vendor for a spare glass or spare bezel. Could anybody tell me where you can purchase glass and bezels? Otherwise the most simple thing is to buy a repro gauge and canabalise it.
Usually you can order bezel glass form a watchmaker.
If I remember well you need a 31/32'' / 50mm glass
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by Jpjedi » Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:49 pm

Great idea Yves! Thanks.

Any idea about thickness?

JP

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by YLG80 » Mon Dec 28, 2020 1:26 am

Jpjedi wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:49 pm
Great idea Yves! Thanks.

Any idea about thickness?

JP
I've a bezel glass here in a box and the thickness is 5/64'' or 1.98mm
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by YLG80 » Mon Dec 28, 2020 2:01 am

Here is the fuel gauge drawing, but there is no glass description . :oops:
THF403893-GPW-9280-B_GAUGE_ASSY_FUEL.jpg
Don't use a glass thickness exceeding 5/64 inches because you will have lots of problems to crimp that bezel.

Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by Jpjedi » Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:46 pm

Really helpful Yves, appreciate it a lot. I go contact some watchmakers.

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by YLG80 » Mon Dec 28, 2020 11:14 pm

Jpjedi wrote:
Mon Dec 28, 2020 12:46 pm
Really helpful Yves, appreciate it a lot. I go contact some watchmakers.
You are welcome.

If you don’t find that glass from a local watchmaker, it’s easy and cheap to order it from ali express.
They are of a good quality and made from mineral glass.
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/32832027 ... hweb201603_
I’ve already ordered a few to repair LED flashlights with broken glass.
Yves
Sorry that’s from Ali in french.
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serial 164794

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by Jpjedi » Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:52 am

Merci Yves,

Je peux survivre en français mais mon anglais est meilleur. haha.

Merci pour toute aide. J'ai trouvé exactement le même sur ebay, je l'ai déjà commandé. Je suis curieux de savoir si je réussirai.

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by YLG80 » Tue Dec 29, 2020 11:46 pm

Jpjedi wrote:
Tue Dec 29, 2020 9:52 am
Merci Yves,

Je peux survivre en français mais mon anglais est meilleur. haha.

Merci pour toute aide. J'ai trouvé exactement le même sur ebay, je l'ai déjà commandé. Je suis curieux de savoir si je réussirai.
Excellent and perfect French!

You will succeed, no doubt!

While waiting for the glass, carefully uncrimp the bezel.
This is the tool I'm using. I''ve grounded a screwdriver tip like this:
uncrimping tool.jpg
Using this tool and turning around the gauge, uncrimp the bezel step by step until you can remove it.
You turn the screwdriver to unfold the bezel lip.

uncrimping.jpg
It takes two or three turns to that.
This will avoid turning the edge of the bezel into lace :wink: .
This will also avoid to damage the housing all around by pressing the screw driver as a lever against the housing.

Put a little mark on the bezel and gauge housing so that you can reassemble the bezel exactly as it was before.
It's always easier to reassemble things as they were before :D .

Once you have removed the bezel, you might straighten the edge a little further in order to facilitate the re-assembly.
I do that with small flat pliers whose jaws are protected by tape.

Check how the different gaskets are placed, one below and one above the glass if I remember well.
This is shown in section A-A on the drawing.
One of the 2 gaskets might be sticking on the gauge housing flat surface. Leave it as it is.
Often in original gauges,the gaskets are made from asphalt impregnated cardboard.

Next time I will show you how I manually crimp the bezel on these small gauges. I use a punch made from wood.
For the speedometers, I've made a special tool to roll the bezel lip all around.
Yves
Ford GPW 1943 - Louisville - DoD 12-7-43
serial 164794

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by Derrick » Thu Jan 21, 2021 6:29 am

Sorry to jump in here

I don’t need my fuel gauge repairing, I think mine has shorted out, it was working but there was a few sparks from under the dash, a naked wire (I have put tape over it now)

How can I check my fuel gauge is working or not?

I was installing a replacement speedo and must have moved wires or something and I forgot to disconnect the ‘LIVE’ on the battery (I won’t do that again)
I live in the UK (US seller websites are no use to me, I cant buy from them)

Buying from the US is too expensive, when you add on the shipping, P&P

Ex Royal Engineer, 1968-1984

Now retired 16 years or so, maybe a bit more now

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by RMarchi » Tue Jul 20, 2021 9:11 pm

There are two electrical posts atop the screws. One has wiring from the spool from #7 attached (the one closest to #7). The post to the right closest to wire spool #2 doesn’t have any wire attached. I think it broke off as the screw was out of place.

So, is it correct to solder a single strand from #2 or should it be a loop?

Same for the other post?

If anyone has a picture that shows the wiring please share.

Thank you!

Rob

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by W. Winget » Wed Jul 21, 2021 5:40 am

For those seeking lense repair, I suggest searching online for:
"Welding Goggle Round glass lense" usually these are 50mm, but they can vary.

Arts and crafts stores also sell glass round plates in sorted sizes for placing trinkets and bobbles on....
V/R W. Winget
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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by RMarchi » Mon Aug 09, 2021 11:40 am

I am rebuilding two fuel gauges and need to replace the insulator washers.

Does anyone know where I can purchase the correct insulated washers for both inside and outside?

Thanks Rob

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Re: How to repair a MB/GPW fuel gauge. Lots of pics

Post by JAB » Wed Feb 23, 2022 5:34 pm

Jpjedi wrote:
Sun Dec 27, 2020 12:47 pm
My gauge has a broken glass. It is part of the original cluster so no way I am exchanging it. But to be honest, I cannot find a single vendor for a spare glass or spare bezel. Could anybody tell me where you can purchase glass and bezels? Otherwise the most simple thing is to buy a repro gauge and canabalise it.
It looks like Ron carries them now!

https://www.vintagejeeps.com/p-2666-gau ... 05-al.aspx


https://www.vintagejeeps.com/p-2665-gau ... 05-sw.aspx
-Jeff

GR8GPN2U!!!

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