Gauges?

Discussion in 'Buick FAQ' started by LARRY70GS, Feb 1, 2010.

  1. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    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)
     
  2. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    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.
     
  3. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Yes, but the electrical type only has a wire entering the passenger compartment correct?
     
  4. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes. Have you read my first post in this thread about the differences between electrical and mechanical gauges as far as scale goes?
     
  5. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    FYI, there are some really nice full sweep electric gauges out there now, though a little pricey.

    Devon
     
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  6. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    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."
     
    Last edited: May 25, 2021
    DaWildcat likes this.
  7. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    Yes, I've read the whole topic. But the openingspost is 11 years old, so perhaps things/experiences had changed :)
     
  8. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    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.
     
  9. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    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?
     

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  10. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    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
     
    srb likes this.
  11. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    That did the trick.
     
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  12. srb

    srb Well-Known Member

    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?
     

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  13. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Yes, I just stretch it over. No big deal.
     
    srb likes this.
  14. CJay

    CJay Supercar owner Staff Member

    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
     
  15. SCamaroSS2000

    SCamaroSS2000 Well-Known Member

    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?
     
  16. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

    .
    Those original oil pressure sending units are hard to find and expensive, if you can even find a correct original, keep it !!
     
  17. SCamaroSS2000

    SCamaroSS2000 Well-Known Member

    Sounds good, I assume it works, never checked it though. What about the water temp sending unit for the dummy light?
     
  18. SCamaroSS2000

    SCamaroSS2000 Well-Known Member

  19. Max Damage

    Max Damage I'm working on it!

  20. Mart

    Mart Gold level member

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