Reproduction 1952 WD-9 gauges & other small parts.

My 1952 WD-9 serves me well as a working tractor, so each year I replace a few parts just to say "thank-you" for another year's service. This year, I ordered 2 headlight reflectors, 3 headlight gaskets, and all four gauges from Stein*rs. I have read a lot of complaints about the gauges, so here is my review and a question about the engine oil pressure for some of the experts on here:

[b:76e6808334]Ammeter:[/b:76e6808334] This was the only gauge not made in Taiwan. It was made by Faria Instruments in Connecticut. Works perfectly & the face appears to look like the original. I absolutely recommend this gauge.

[b:76e6808334]Fuel Pressure Gauge:[/b:76e6808334] Box is marked made in Taiwan. Right out of the box, the needle is 1/4 of the way up the gauge--unacceptable. The face markings are not identical to the original, but close. I didn't even install this one on the tractor. Will contact Stein*rs.

[b:76e6808334]Oil Pressure Gauge:[/b:76e6808334] Box is marked made in Taiwan. Face markings are obvious that it is a lesser quality reproduction. Okay for my work tractor. I put it on, started the tractor and it pegged to the right--shouldn't do that. Shut the tractor down and the needle fell back to 1/4 of the gauge. It is supposed to be a 0-45 PSI gauge and that seems to match the IH parts manual. Does anyone know if it should actually be a 0-75 PSI gauge on a 1952 WD-9? The Stein*rs applications don't seem to be very reliable to begin with so I am hoping someone on here will know.

[b:76e6808334]Temperature Gauge:[/b:76e6808334] Box is marked made in Taiwan. I have not installed this one yet. I did test it in a pot of water on the range in my wife's kitchen (she wasn't even mad--good girl!). Using a digital thermometer to check the gauge, it worked well. No problems. The face markings are not identical to the original, but close.

[b:76e6808334]Note:[/b:76e6808334] I think that all of the reproduction suppliers are selling the same gauges from the same manufacturers. So I don't think it matters who we buy them from they will all have the same issues. The only exception is some of the ones on Eb*y made in India--they look like junk and are priced considerably less than the others.
 
Have a 1953 printing of parts book and it shows gage 258634R91 0 to 45 PSI. It and a older parts book show 501 to 12425 used a O to 75 PSI the same as a gasoline.
 
(quoted from post at 01:53:44 07/14/14) Have a 1953 printing of parts book and it shows gage 258634R91 0 to 45 PSI. It and a older parts book show 501 to 12425 used a O to 75 PSI the same as a gasoline.

Thanks for the reply. I found the same thing in my parts manuals as well. I actually took it one step further and looked in a WD-6 parts manual (dated 1947) and it listed the 0-75 PSI gauge as well (At least until 1947). For my WD-9, the old rusted gauge I removed was a 0-75 gauge that actually had numbers on it instead of the original type with the white/red zones. Is there any chance that there is an error in the parts manuals where the later tractors actually used the 0-75 PSI gauge? It does seem strange to me that according to the parts manuals the oil pressure gauge was changed to a lower pressure gauge at S/N 12426 implying that the lubricating system pressure may also have been reduced at that point. I would have thought that any design change would have been for higher oil pressure. The fact that my 1952 WD-9 did have a 0-75 PSI gauge (likely not original) and the new replacement 0-45 PSI gets pegged full scale makes me wonder. The tractor has 9300 hours on it so I actually doubt that it has fantastic oil pressure! I may just order a 0-75 PSI gauge for the tractor.

Would anyone who has a later production WD-9 be able to check the part number of their oil pressure gauge?
0-45 PSI gauge part number 258634R91
or
0-75 PSI gauge part number 41934-DB
 
I have been communicating with the people at Stein*rs regarding my Taiwan gauge problems and they are outstanding people. Very willing to resolve any problems and ensure that I am satisfied. Stein*rs will be sending replacement gauges to ensure that I have good, working gauges.

We discussed the quality issues of the reproduction gauges and they are aware of the problems their customers have had. They have made efforts find better suppliers and unfortunately they have had to resort to offshore suppliers for all of the gauges except the ammeter. They want to be able to sell a well built gauge to their customers at an affordable price--they appear to be having problems achieving this goal using US manufacturers. They were very willing to share the information about the problems they have had with the gauges and their quest to find better manufacturers.

I have given Stein*rs feedback on several of their products and they were very happy to receive the comments, both good and bad. My contact person at Stein*rs stated that customer feedback helps them make improvements to their products. I will definitely remain a Stein*rs customer because they truly do care about their customers and their reputation.
 
Thanks for the info. Tell them so of us would be happy to pay too much for an correct, high quality gauge.
 
(quoted from post at 14:48:51 07/16/14) Thanks for the info. Tell them so of us would be happy to pay too much for an correct, high quality gauge.

I am also one of those people that is also willing to pay a higher price for a correct, high quality gauge. Unfortunately, you and I may be members of a small group.
 

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