Direct gauge-readout oil thermometer (replaces dipstick)

[Windisch]

Hi folks, it's your favorite pain-in-the-ass question-guy here. Today, I'm dealing with a need (a wish, really) for an oil-dipstick thermometer for use on my Porsche 914-4 (1.8 liter engine).

Let me clarify at the git-go that I am NOT talking about the conventional temp-probe stick that connects a remote temp-measuring dipstick to an electrical gauge readout. We all know what those are and I even have one on my 73 Standard Bug.

What I refer to here is a small analogue gauge readout on the end of a long-stemmed probe that can be inserted into your oil sumo as a replacement for the standard oil dip-stick. Air-cooled motorcycles frequently use this type of oil temp sensing, direct readout device, but their stems are usually too short to be useful on my flat-4 (914) engine.

My engine's dipstick measures about 345 mm (34.5 cm) long, hence any possibly useful stem that might immerse itself in the engine's oil, via the dipstick tube, would have to be at least roughly that length to be useful.

I called Auto Atlanta with this inquiry, hoping that George there might have a lead for me on this, but so few 914 people use this type of oil thermometer on their Type-4 engines that there seem to be very few (if any) suitable offerings on the market, to the best of my knowledge.

At any rate, Ted Porter's 'BEEMER SHOP' in California sells such an animal with a 285 mm stem that might be useful (haven't confirmed that as of yet) and I note that 'PRECISION MATTERS' (a 356 specialty shop in San Francisco, CA) sells such a device that fits 356 and EARLY 912 Porsche engines but not 914 types (according to Ron, there).

But back to square one. I know that there used to be a VW Type-4 flat-4 dipstick thermometer of this type sold some years ago but there wasn't any sort of real consumer demand for it and corresponding stocking problems seem to have ended its common availability as a result.

I am known for asking difficult (perhaps 'arcane' would be a better word here) questions and seeking gizmos made of pure unobtainium, so I throw this one out there without much hope, but if anyone has some insight into the matter that might pan out, I'd welcome your inputs.

My stock 914-4 engine dipstick is about 348 mm or so, as I said, so any such dipstick tube thermometer with roughly that length stem would be worth considering. Thanks.

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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
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Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

[HarryFD]

Get one at Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/Smgda-Thermometer-Stainless...mp;sr=8-17) and make up a seal with an o-ring or grommet.
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1970 Deluxe Sunroof Bay Brilliant Blue/Cloud White
1973.5 911 Targa
2009 MB C300

[Windisch]

Thanks for that tip, Harry. The Amazon thermometer is about 2 inches longer than my spec, but it might still work. Rigging a seal would be no-sweat, of course. Thanks very much. I'll look into that!
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1973 Standard Beetle, 1974 VW/Porsche 914-4, 1.8 liter
----------------------
Der Volkswagen ist ein Ausdruck der deutschen Kultur der Allrad Art ...

[The only irrefutable evidence we have that intelligent life truly exists elsewhere in the Universe is the fact that so far it has NOT contacted humanity...]

[HarryFD]