MF 230 Temperature gauge appears to be different than others

Hi all,

I'm working on revamping the cooling system on my Massey 230.

I've replaced the water pump and the thermostat, and was considering replacing the temperature gauge while I am in there. However, the one that is currently in the tractor appears to be a factory gauge, but is different from what I would typically expect.

What I would expect to see is the actual dial with a capillary tube running to the bulb mounted below the thermostat. What I actually see is some sort of temperature probe in the normal spot with a wire that runs to a terminal on the back of the gauge.

What would have been original on this tractor?

What got me started on this ordeal was when I would run the tractor, the gauge would pin itself to the high end of the scale after 20-30 seconds of running and never come back down. Monitoring with an IR thermostat showed that either the water pump or thermostat appeared to be faulty as coolant would never start to circulate through the radiator. Once I took it apart, it appears that the water pump was still workable (though the bearings were starting to grind a little). I didn't test the thermostat - I just replaced it.

They use electric water temperature gauges on them.

(quoted from post at 13:33:54 11/14/17) They use electric water temperature gauges on them.

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Thanks, that makes sense. I just found the part in the parts book.

Now, the sending unit has part number 531209M1 which I can't locate anywhere online. Has it been superseded with another part number?

This should be the one (1877731M92) http://www.yesterdaystractors.com/1877731M92_Switch-Water-Temperature-Sending-Unit_13667.htm

Thanks for the response. I was able to source that part locally. I'm having some trouble installing it - it will thread in a few turns, then stops dead and can't turn it any further with finger power.

There's no odd tapered threading here, right? They should both be 5/8ths NF?