Hey guys,
Curious what brand temp gauges you guys use, which ones are rugged and reliable. I'm thinking surely most of you don't use the stock temp gauges that don't even have degrees numbers on them. Also I think I read once that there's more than one place you can put the temp probe rather than the default spot by the throttle lever? Which is the optimal placement?

While I'm asking, any 6volt system amp gauges out there?

I've had good luck with Stewart Warner gauges.

Durham Missouri

IMO I don’t like added gauges unless I would be redoing my complete dash. I’ve kept all my 56 in perfect working order. I keep a heat gun in the glove box and know what the position of the needle means. I have always kept “idiot” lights also as looking down at gauges can be a distraction. 

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

Stewart Warner electric gauge. Sending unit in the passenger side head. I run the stock and aftermarket on my 57 T Bird. 

My 1955 TBird

I use the Longacre AccuTech mechanical temperature gauges on two of my cars with good luck. They aren't small or original looking, but they don't look inappropriate on old cars, either. Underdash mount would work best. They're noticeably more accurate, and probably better quality, than the Bosch mechanical gauge I have on another car.

I agree with others that it makes sense to also keep idiot lights if your car is so equipped, and between the gauges an lights you'll get the info you need. I personally would go with a mechanical gauge over a an electrical gauge - especially if you have a 6 volt vehicle -  but I'm sure there are good elec. gauges out there, too.

aren't the stock gauges electrical?

The stock gauges are electrical.  For supplemental gauges my preference lies towards mechanical gauges for both temperature and oil pressure.  For the charging system, I now lean towards a gauge that registers voltage rather than amps.  Here’s a picture showing the amp gauge in my ’55 Ford which simply requires heavy gauge wire as all the electrical must run through the gauge before being used for ignition, lights, blower motor, etc.  A gauge registering voltage does not require that same heavy gauge wiring as does an amp meter.
  

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)