What are the current experiences with mechanical/electrical? With the removal of my mechanical meters the oil pressure line was damaged. Perhaps I can repair it, but I could also update it to an electrical type? That way there is no need for an oil hose in the car. Are those NPT connections the same? (Regarding the 3-in-1 gaugeset of Autometer)
Mechanical oil pressure gauges use a line that goes into the passenger compartment. Stock is usually a plastic/nylon line that can harden with age/heat and may be vulnerable to breakage with age, they are the LEAST desirable. You can replace them with copper, or braided line. The co0nnections are standard brass fitting sizes.
Yes. Have you read my first post in this thread about the differences between electrical and mechanical gauges as far as scale goes?
FYI, there are some really nice full sweep electric gauges out there now, though a little pricey. Devon
Yes, I was wondering if Stephan had read that in my first post. A cut and paste from my first post on page1 of this thread, "The next decision you need to make is whether you want mechanical gauges or electrical gauges. There is no accuracy difference between the two. Up until recently, electrical gauges were of the 90* sweep design. Mechanical gauges have a 270* sweep. The 270* sweep means there are more lines on the gauge, and that means the gauges are easier to read accurately at a glance. For instance, the Autometer mechanical oil pressure gauge has a line every 5 psi, the electrical gauge has a line every 12.5 psi. If the needle is in between lines, it would be much easier to read the mechanical gauge at a glance, but both gauges would show the same reading. Recently, Autometer has introduced a line of full sweep electrical gauges, but they are close to twice as expensive as the full sweep mechanicals and short sweep electrical."
Yes, I've read the whole topic. But the openingspost is 11 years old, so perhaps things/experiences had changed
No, nothing has changed other than more options. Electric gauges are easier to install, but you'll want to look at the gauge sweep. 90* gauges are still out there and are cheaper than the better 270* sweep gauges. Look here, https://www.autometer.com/ Look at the first 2 gauges pictured, the temperature gauge is electrical (90*), the mechanical oil pressure gauge is mechanical (270*) The 270* electric gauges are way more expensive. If cost is no problem, go with the 270* sweep electrical gauges, there are some very nice ones out there.
Ok, so I'm trying to install it, but how am I supposed to put the grommet on the water temperature tubing? That's never going to fit and you're not supposed to take the tubing apart. Should I cut the grommet from the side?
That's exactly what I'd do! Have to be gentle with that capillary tubing. Any fracture leaves the temp gauge inoperative, and no repairing it after that. Devon
Hm, it seems that my manifold vacuum port is bigger than the other one. It's also bigger than my vacuum canister tube. I could wiggle the hose on, but it's really tight. It's that really supposed to be?
What I used to do on my old 442 I had, was rotate the gauges so all the needles pointed straight up when I was driving. That way I only had to give them a quick glance. Only issue was when the car was parked, people would ask me why all my gauges were installed cockeyed
Hi, I have followed this thread for years and have had a water temp, oil pressure and voltage gauge from autometer just sitting. I finally went to install them. I noticed my original water temp sending unit had the plug undone and the plug is toast. What is the correct water temp and plug to buy? I have founds a few GM related ones on amazon and they claim they are correct. While I am at it, should I replace the oil sending unit. I think it works and it may be a leave it if it works thing however I am adding the brass tee so maybe I replace the original sender connected to the dummy light at the same time?
. Those original oil pressure sending units are hard to find and expensive, if you can even find a correct original, keep it !!
Sounds good, I assume it works, never checked it though. What about the water temp sending unit for the dummy light?
This is what I am looking at. I can always just go to a parts store too, thoughts for the water temp unit? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000C9SM22/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_3?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001RPPRXC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=AF1OLLMGUD71U&psc=1
I think the temp wire connection is just a standard female spade connector? https://www.delcity.net/store/Femal...zLVPIW1q9LhOqNoCZuX3oupcesTNA0hhoCjbcQAvD_BwE
I run Autometer 2392's. They are both mechanical gauges and I tee'd the oil pressure connection, and used an extra tapped boss on intake for the mechanical temp sender. Amazon has them for $46.ish. https://www.autometer.com/2-2-gauge-console-oil-water-mech-black-2288.html