about to own a 1983 airstream 280 turbo diesel

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by 83Airstrm280

Ok, so ill make sure to get a more accurate reading on water temp before i do too much. Anyone know where to get a new Thermostat just in case?

i do have a turbo boost gauge, its pretty much seized though. i need to tap at it if i want any kind of reading from it. it does not have a pyrometer though. where would you recommend i buy replacement gauges? i'm going to be redoing the dash anyways.

Go to Hamilton for your thermostat, I'm not sure that it is common like a Ford or Chevy but I don't know for sure.

Isspro makes a good gauge but I don't know that they are as good as they once were. I have one of their pyrometers on a 1954 truck that works just fine but I replaced the one in my Airstream with an Isspro electronic gauge and it has never worked properly. They did attempt to make it right but I was on the road on the east coast and shipping parts to where I might be became more trouble than it was worth. I also have an Isspro tach and pyrometer in my pick up and after six years the pyrometer is fine but the tach has failed.

[Mike Leary]

Does your right hand side gauge cluster look like ths?

[Isuzusweet]

Hey! How come I don't have a fake wood burled 80's dashboard?? Sniff Mine looks like someone hit it with Rhino lining.

Not so cheery
Tony

[83Airstrm280]

nope, gauge cluster looks more like this.

on the right panel there's the boost gauge and the transmission temp if I'm not mistaken.

[Smartstream]

Originally Posted by 83Airstrm280

nope, gauge cluster looks more like this.

on the right panel there's the boost gauge and the transmission temp if I'm not mistaken.

That gauge to the right of the boost should be the pyrometer. I can't tell from the picture for sure but what I can see of the numbers sure looks like the original pyrometer. A straight on picture will tell for sure. If it's working properly cruising on flat road at 50 - 55 mph should read around 600 deg. Idle might be around 300 deg. and heavy acceleration or climbing a steep grade will bring it up to 1100 - 1200 deg. Over 1250 deg. and you start asking for trouble.

[Isuzusweet]

Identical panel layout to mine.
Dans's right about the Pyro. Not tranny temp. The highest I've seen under full accel up a hill was maybe 1050-1100.
Pop the doghouse and the turbo boost gauge line goes into the intake plenum. Check that it is free of gunk for accurate reading.
Looks like a nice rig. Wouldn't mind seeing some more pics to compare layout with my 310.

Of note. I was allways curious why there was no light indicator beside the glowplug push button in my rig. There's just an open hole. of sorts?????? What does your glowplug indicator thing do when you push your glowplug button? It looks like you just have a hole at the center of that big bezel as well?

Cheered up
Tony