Technical New gauges/ Poor quality

2 out of the 5 gauges I ordered new did not work.. Stewart Warner ; Have always liked them, used them for years very nostalgic. What Gives ??

 

Made in China..........

 

Quality control issues in Juarez?

 

On my third SW Wings speedometer!! Odometer quits working

 

You can't get a 10 year old kid to build gauges like you used to.

 

Had a set left over from my shop that I purchased in 1992. Stewart Warner black and white Deluxe 5 gauge set. Before ever running the roadster, I realized the clearance for the trans would not allow a speedometer cable. So, in 2008 I purchased an electric deluxe speedometer to match. Dreadful mistake !!!!!! I used a Classic Skydrive to power it. Three speedometers later and almost knock down drag out fighting with Stewart Warner, I am still no better off. The once proud lines from Stewart Warner no longer exist. Cheap crap is the mode of the day and God forbid a problem happens, there is no customer service regardless what they advertise. I am having Classic make me an electronic speedometer with a font very close to Stewart Warner and a logo with my initials in a block just like theirs. Biggest thing about Classic Instruments is the 7 years warranty. I have used Stewart Warner since 1962, in hotnrods, cars, boats, race cars, and anything else I can think of that needed gauges. No more, Stewart Warner no longer makes gauges, they make hole fillers!

 

I have used them also , for many many years . The only problem I see is , who do you purchase from to replace SW products ? Everything is total junk . I was just discussing with my Dad , this evening that you can no longer buy one nail that does not come from China . We are seeing a sad time in the good old USA . I think it is going to get worse before it gets better . We better say prayers the homeland is never attacked , the USA can not support itself today as we did in WW2 . Just my opinion , how do we change it ? Kids do not care , they have no idea , what pride , integrity , and guts to fight are.

 

Did you contact SW tech support to ask them why ?

 

Not to mention no training in school as to how to make things. You older fellas had a forge. I'm pushing 50, we still did basic operations. Even still rebuilt heads. And everyone built a carb. I don't think you have a chance at understanding modern efi/direct injection if you dont have a solid base.

Sent from my SM-G960W using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Yup. They laid the 2nd grade off. Tough to get good help these days.

 

We're being attacked every day for the last 50 years, it's just a lot more sneaky. Just as devastating.

 

Just purchased a SW vacuum and voltage gauge. Noticed they were made in Mexico. So far no issues.

 

I believe Classic Insturment or Autometer are possibly the last two manufacturers that make "quality" gauges now. I know Autometer WAS made in Sycamore Illnois at one time because my SAE group toured the factory some 40 years ago but that was then probably. Either way I have had great luck with those two brands, the SW Wings set I installed in my 36 Ford left ALOT to be desired. Never again on those. I just checked he Autometer site and it states " BUILT IN AMERICA" still in Sycamore. Now I've checked if they make anything we would be interested in putting in a HotRod and they have a couple vintage styled lines that look real good, MUCH better quality than SW I'm sure. Mitch

 

I agree with China junk philosophy.I bought a "new" style Sun Super tach like we had back in the day,big mistake.Fu@kin thing works maybe 50% of the time,should have kept the one I let go in my last car.But hey....it looks good

 

S-W hasn’t been the same after 1987 when it was purchased by British Tire & Rubber who moved operations to Mexico on 1989. BTR later sold out to another multi-national corporation and quality and service took another big hit making things even worse.
I can’t recall what year it was but I saw the “new” S-W Wings series of gauges at the SR Nats when they were reintroduced and I knew then they were crap. Most noticeable for me were the clunky looking plastic needles instead of the slender metal stampings from BITD.
Generally when the old guard sells out and cashes in its not a good thing for the consumer.

 

I wonder if there is a forum out there dedicated to modern cars where the members complain about old parts..

 

I try to use nothing but vintage Stewart Warner gauges in my cars. If I can't get SW then I try to get something vintage from the Art Deco period of automobiles.
Stewart Warner's wings gauges that they came out with where they are trying to make them look vintage or nostalgia. They accomplished their goal. That's exactly what they look like, something new trying to look old.

 

I've been buying up old Sun/SW/Niehoff gauges whenever I find them too, and typically dirt cheap, got a whole cabinet full. Mechanical gauges with uncut capillary tubes are the hardest to find, but they're out there.

Finding and using the real, original pieces is a big part of the fun for me, even when the appearance of it is less-than-perfect from age. Even better when it costs way less than the "new" one.

 

It was the new SW ( Wing) gauges that were bad

 

I'm a bit skeptical when I read "BUILT IN AMERICA".
Technically that could include all of North and South America.

 

Capitalism at its finest, todays profit is all that counts. We're doomed.

 

I'm not rich by any means but I would happily pay more for American made products. That being said, I hit as many swap meets as I can to find original, old, made in USA parts for my old made in USA cars. If you want legit, OPERATIONAL SW gauges, go hit the swap meets. They're out there.

 

Beanscoot, all Autometer products are made entirely in house in their facility in Sycamore Illinois. Good enough for me. Mitch

 

I was looking on their website at different sets and noticed in small writing, accurate to +or- 10%. There's a big difference between running 200degrees and 220. I bought Autometer.

 

I agree, they are out there. I went to a estate sale from a hoarder and I got two large boxes of Stewart Warner gauges and tachs. I think I counted 41 gauges. $20 for all.

 

Good to know. Looks like I'll be buying vintage gauges. Was thinking the same yesterday when I was unpackaging yet another 4 sets of Christmas lights to replace the ones just purchased a few years ago. How did we ever get so screwed? The Chinese, Mexicans, etc. must be giggling like little school girls every time we have to futz around with their garbage.

 

Autometer...

 

Classic Instruments are made in Michigan and they work quite well!

 

Autometer and Classic are the only gauges I recommend.