Porsche 914 Oil Temperature Gauges
(Center Console)
A Hot Item
Concurrent with the introduction of the 2.0 liter four-cylinder
Porsche 914 models in 1973 was an optional three-gauge center console
(part of the "Appearance
Group"). This console contained a clock, an oil temperature gauge and a
voltage gauge. Although many subsequent Porsche and VW models offered
similar
console and gauge packages, the VDO units used in the Porsche 914 cars
are a unique 60 mm size. Subsequently, the more common, smaller 52 mm
gauges from the later Porsche and VW vehicles will not fit the 914
center console without modification and they are styled differently.
The 60 mm units used in the Porsche 914 console are no
longer produced by VDO or any other company.
As with the dashboard
gauges, the 1973 console gauges are slightly different than later
versions. As described below, the oil
temperature scale on the temp gauge contained in the 1973 center
consoles mirrors the differences to the "Temp" portion of the combo
gauge. The center console temp gauges are sealed units with glass
lenses; the
mechanisms and gauge faces are accessible only by prying off the molded
steel bezel ring. Problems common to the Porsche 914 temp gauges are
needle fading, bezel ring rusting and lens fogging.
All Porsche 914/6 cars were equipped with a fuel level / oil temperature combination gauge in the dash cluster, so the fact that the optional three gauge console (with the temp gauge) was not introduced until after 914/6 production ended is inconsequential.
Current eBay
listings for Porsche 914 temp gauges (compare listed gauges
with those
pictured on this page to ensure authenticity and model year
utilization):
Porsche
914 Center Console Temp Gauges on eBAY
1973 Porsche 914 Temp Gauges
The 1973 Porsche 914 oil
temperature gauge, part number 914 641 118 20, has a scale with a
large red alert area, but it is totally unmarked. Assuming that this
scale mirrors that of the 1973 2.0 combo gauges, the range begins at 60
degrees Celsius; the redline begins at 156.7 degrees Celsius (it's a
Porsche gauge, so it is exact), and terminates at 200
degrees Celsius (your engine may be on fire at this
temperature).
1974 - 1976 Porsche 914 Temp Gauges
The 1974-1976 Porsche 914 temp
gauge, part number 914 641 118 30, has an unmarked scale with a smaller
red alert area. Assuming that this scale mirrors that of the 1974-1976
2.0 combo gauges, the range begins at 30 degrees Celsius, and the
redline, still beginning at 156.7 degrees Celsius, has shrunk and
terminates at 170 degrees Celsius (at which point your engine would be
seized, but not in flames).