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I always hated that FORD (for years) uses an "idiot gauge" for oil pressure (if the switch is made up, the needle points just above 1/2 way).
I (finally after 14 years) added an electric transducer and gauge to my 140k + mile 2009 F150, it read higher than I expected (70psi+ while driving) (50psi+ idling w/ hot oil)
I went with electric because in my youth I added a mechanical oil pressure gauge in my car.. After about a year the fitting on the back of the gauge let loose and sprayed hot oil on my leg and carpet. And I don't want oil spraying on my (not carpet) rubber floor covering in my truck
..
Doubting the indication I did a "calibration" check, hooked up my mechanical gauge (I guess I trust it).. turns out (w/cold oil) they both read 65 psi at idle and trend up over 70 PSI as I raise the RPM to the 2000RPM range.. I guess I can believe my indications now (except of course the idiot gauge that doesn't move).
in my youth I added a mechanical oil pressure gauge in my car.. After about a year the fitting on the back of the gauge let loose and sprayed hot oil on my leg and carpet.
Where did you plumb it to? A T on the oil pressure switch? On my expedition I ran it to the pipe plug on the back it the passenger head figure this was as close as low point of the system as I could get. 60-70 psi cold start. 30-40 in gear at 55 mph hot. 15-25 psi hot idle in gear with AC on. You numbers seem to match mine.
I bought a "pancake" like gizmo, it installs between the oil filter and the oil filter "mount" it has multiple ports, I used the 1 that positions the transducer "out of harms way
On "Plane Jane" (my XL) with the column shift, the shift lever partially blocks the view of the gauge in Drive.
I like your gauge, it looks like a nice 270 degree sweep..
Last edited by joendoodle; Jul 20, 2023 at 08:36 AM.
Reason: spelling
I too bought a sun pro mechanical and decided I didn't trust the tubing in cab. Got it cheap on eBay. Heard mixed on glowshift but price was right. There was one day the stepper motor over ranged. But turned back off and on and no issues weeks later. I went with because the green LED setting and white face sorta matched the cluster. Was super bright on way to work so I had the tint shop darken it when I had it in for windows. I read about pressure swings with that pancake adapter. Any issues?
Thanks I would recommended it. Very happy. I only needed a few brass fittings to get it mated to the back of the head. Pancake sure would have been easier. Have you done oil changes since install?
here's a couple links to my YouTube channel for videos of it.
................................I read about pressure swings with that pancake adapter. Any issues?
JINX
I drove "Plain Jane" on a 450 mile road trip today, when I let off the throttle the needle bounced a little as it went down to 50 psi from 75 (+ or -).. I don't know what would cause this (too close to the oil pump?)
Never could read for comprehension. With a sandwich adapter, you're reading pressure between the pump and filter. The pump can slow down or speed up with the engine quickly and there isn't much of a buffer since you're so close. If you're running a Motorcraft filter, it has an internal bypass valve with I had thought opened at 15 psi differential pressure.
with my sending unit in the last leg of the system, the pressure changes are smoother. Or that's my best understanding of it. Could be wrong. There's nothing wrong with your setup. It clearly works.
Thanx, coincidently I am currently using a Motorcraft filter. I don't use them exclusively BUT the seem to be a good quality for the relatively low price point, So I have several on hand.
As a professional engine builder my recommendation for installing an oil pressure transducer is directly into the main oil gallery as far away from the oil pump as possible, which would be a cylinder head. That way you're reading the least possible pressure available in the engine.
With that said, todays electronic sensors are very much capable of indicating a loss of oil pressure in operation summarily shutting the engine off before damage occurs making any aftermarket gauges installed useless except for the fact they bring back memories of hot rodding days of yore and look cool as hell.
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