Hi Folks,

I'm pretty sure I've got it figured out but I just wanted to confirm where to hook stuff up for my mechanical gauges.

Oil Pressure: get a T and hook the line for the mechanical gauge in the same spot as the sender for the stock "gauge" That way I can have an actual gauge and still have an idiot light.

Coolant Temp.: Thinking of putting this in place of the temp. sender/switch for the warning light. Based on what I've gathered the engine temp. warning light rarely (never in many cases) comes on anyway...

Voltmetre: This one I'm not completely sure what I want to do.... I'm thinking either hook it directly to a battery terminal or the alternator terminal. Although, any wire that is hot when the key's on should work fine..


Any thoughts or suggestions before I really get into hooking them up?

Thanks a lot!

 

So, I guess I can assume that I'm good to go with the plan based on almost 30 views and no replies!

 

I think you are good to go. I did what you are going to do just for the heck of it. The stock gages can suck so I have read and the senders can ground out but I figured what the hell in case they actually did work and a warning light came on , it might save me in a bad spot.

Oil pressure gage seems to work fine for us with a t. There is enough room to hook up a t with a straight pipe small extension from the engine, with the airbox on a non turbo engine like ours. And I get 50+ at peak.

With the temp gage I believe the spot in the block reads a bit higher and is more realistic. I had mine in the stock temp gage spot for a bit just because I lacked a wrench. And it seemed kind of jumpy and off on degrees considering when the fan clutch would lock up?

So I am putting the temp warning light in the stock temp gage spot(i had to buy an adaptor so it would screw into smaller threads), then I put the manual temp gage into the stock idiot gage spot.

 

where are all the stock spots i cant find them all

 

75Three90: Going to try and post a picture....

[IMG]C:\Users\Adam\Pictures\sensors and switches.gif[/IMG]

 

How do I upload an image from my computer? Anyone know?

 

You have to go to a photo hosting site, join and upload there for free. Then copy the web address of the photo and do the [img] [/img] code here and insert the web address between that code.

I host here: Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

It's super easy to use.

 

Thanks mechelement, I'll see if I can look at that soon.

75Three90, I've loaded a picture from alldatapro.com into my album and you should be able to view it. The picture is actually for my truck but I can't see there being much difference in the engine between 1986 and 1987. Hope this helps!

 

Off site images are USELESS to the longevity of this site ... They will wind up broken sooner or later making the thread useless.

Local is simple ...

Pictures & Albums - Howto

1. UserCP
2. Pictures & Albums
3. Add Album
4. Enter Title
5. Hit Submit
6. Upload Pictures
   1. Hit Browse
   2. OS Dependant steps ... ... ...
7. Copy & Paste BB Code

-Enjoy
fh : )_~

 

Anyone know of an alternate location to hook up the line for the oil pressure gauge? I can seem to get anything on the OEM sender enough to get it out... Or any pointers on getting the sender out!

 

Drivers side exhaust manifold to the rear, there should be a square plug there you can get oil pressure from. Its the location used to feed the turbo on later ATS systems. Do a search and I think you'll find someone has posted pics before (or at least more of a description).

 

tecgod13, thanks very much for the info!

tecgod13 (or anyone else!) is this the plug referenced in the previous post?

 

Definitely put the coolant temp in where the temp light goes. That light is useless when a good full sweep gauge is in place.

 

Thanks for the input wreckinball, That's the plan! I located the over temp switch (temp light) using this image:



I also grounded out the connector while having someone watch the light just to be 100% sure.

Any thoughts on the square plug for oil pressure?

By the way, awesome stack man! I am Canadian Forces (was Army now Air Farce so anything military and you've got my attention!

 

Got my voltmeter and coolant temp gauges hooked up..... I knew the stock gauges are garbage but it still surprised me, 200*F on the new mechanical gauge before the stock temp gauge even moved! And I have a voltmeter that actually moves!