Packard Forum Index » General

I was watching the the reality TV show "American Pickers" and they "picked" a group of motometers--a device used to replace the radiator cap to show the temp of the radiator at any given time.

My question is was a motometer a generic item that could be used on any radiator, or was a motometer model-specific? If model-specific, was there a model specific to Packard?

take care
Garrett Meadows

Garret

The only differences I know of were cosmetic. There were two diameters. Shells could be plain or have a garland. The major bling was the front face plate, they were sold with insignia appropriate to the make of car. The Packard insignia has the script and a Packad powered airplane


Best

John Harley

Hi John!

Thanks for the info. The "American Pickers" guy selected three or four motometers from a larger group the collector owned. As you pointed out, they varied in style (one with what appeared to a set of extended wings). One motometer in particular, I noticed, was for a Pierce Arrow.

What I didn't notice is which way the motometer faced when in use. Did it face the driver so he/she could tell the radiator temp while driving, or did it face the road necessitating the driver having to get out of the car and go round to the front and look.

take care
Garrett Meadows

The Boyce Mot-O-Meter company used the name Motometer on their products.

I don't recall any other makers of these, but I would be surprised if not.

I have one on my model T Ford that screws in, in place of the original radiator cap. It is a good item and was a worth while accessory.

Jim

Garret

The side with the logo faces the front of the car, the side facing the driver is white to contrast with the red fluid. There is a round cutout in the discs to denote normal operating temperature.

Dumb flapper joke my late uncle told. me As Owen would say, he was of the era.

Flapper goes into a garage and asks to buy a Motometer

Salesman says "Boyce ?"

Flapper says "No, silly, its for my car!"

Best

John Harley

I'm sure you are aware that if you have a hood that goes over the top of the radiator to latch you don't use the MMeter..........Or at least you can use it once.