Gauges
Thread Starter
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Gauges
So I'm wanting to put on gauges for temp, oil pressure and probably vacuum on my 400, and haven't done this before. I'm looking at mecanical sunpro gauges. Do they actually run oil\water\vacuum lines up to the gauge from the engine? Are there any special fittings for the 400 that I need to look for? Any help is appreciated.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Last edited by fmc400; Nov 11, 2004 at 01:23 PM.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
The mechanical gauges will have an oil line and vacuum lines from the engine. While the vacuum line is not a problem the oil line can leak or burst and flood the interior with hot oil. Sometimes they burst outside the cab and you never know until the engine blows. Go with electrical gauges. They can be just as accurate and they are a lot safer.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 887
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From: Colorado
I run all mechanical aftermarket guages, and i say they are the way to go. I mean, if your line to the il guage broke....anywhere....and you were not getting any pressure reading on the guage....that would be an pretty obvious you had a problem, waiting till, or not noticing until the engine blew would be pure neglect and thick headed, if youre anything like me, im sure youll check the guages regularly while driving, aswell as at start up, about halfway thru the drive, and shut down...just an opinion. Why trust the electronics to do something you can do yourself? My oil pressure line ran right off the stock fitting for the stock one, i just put on a different fitting, and disconnected the sending unit. If you were running a engine coolant temp setup, it would be a little more difficult. But yeah, go mechanical. If you need a place to put them, you can build a plate for them, and dash mount them, or do what i did, and build a center console forthem (if its an automatic) if its manual, or 4x4, make sure to leave the appropriate space in the top of the console to allow full movement of the sticks..
--JB
--JB
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Blowing hot oil all over yourself is not fun. It alerts you to a problem pretty fast but second and third degree burns are not pretty, nor is the mess. The accident caused by a hot oil bath can ruin your day also. I have seen several instances where an oil line blew outside the cab and the engine was gone in between those "frequent" gauge readings. It only takes a few seconds of "neglect" since the engine will hold pressure until the oil is gone. A mechanical gage is a few bucks cheaper, -but a few dollars against a blown engine or severe burns is worth it.
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Thread Starter
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Are mechanical guages really that accurate? My oil pressure on that thing isn't really something to be proud of, and then it has to run through a small tube a few feet in length up to the dash. Does it really maintain the right reading?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 242
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From: earth
mechanical
fmc,
What're the purposes of the additional gauges? Are they to keep track of the engine condition or as comparisons to the stock gauges? Is the engine an investment (rebuilt) or is it transportation (stock)? Mechanical gauges (direct measurement) are generally more accurate than electrical gauges (electrical sensor). If there's a lot of money in the engine, I'd recommend mechanical (AutoMeter). If you're worried about oil leakage, try the steel-braided line. The appropriate fittings are usually included with a gauge.
Chris
What're the purposes of the additional gauges? Are they to keep track of the engine condition or as comparisons to the stock gauges? Is the engine an investment (rebuilt) or is it transportation (stock)? Mechanical gauges (direct measurement) are generally more accurate than electrical gauges (electrical sensor). If there's a lot of money in the engine, I'd recommend mechanical (AutoMeter). If you're worried about oil leakage, try the steel-braided line. The appropriate fittings are usually included with a gauge.
Chris
Thread Starter
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MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Thanks so far for the help.
The gauges are meant to replace my row of idiot lights. One reason is I'd like to monitor things better; additionally I might be putting in a new oil pump soon and I'd like to keep track of the pressure. I don't need super accurate readings, but within a few PSI would be nice (unless that's asking too much of electrical gauges. I don't know how accurate they are).
It's an old motor, not much money in it. Gets me around town on its seven cylinders.
The gauges are meant to replace my row of idiot lights. One reason is I'd like to monitor things better; additionally I might be putting in a new oil pump soon and I'd like to keep track of the pressure. I don't need super accurate readings, but within a few PSI would be nice (unless that's asking too much of electrical gauges. I don't know how accurate they are).
It's an old motor, not much money in it. Gets me around town on its seven cylinders.
Last edited by fmc400; Nov 12, 2004 at 03:37 PM.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 705
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From: Okla.
Talking about seven cylinders, One time I was changing spark pluges and put the passger side on and wires put the drive side pluges in not the wires and stated the truck it ran like junk till I seen the wires and turned it off. So mine has ran on 4 cylinders. True story.
Last edited by 74 F100 351m; Nov 12, 2004 at 04:40 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: e-burg
arent the stock gauges on these trucks electronic. so wouldnt it just be eaiser to stay with the same sort of setup. and how inaccurate are the electronic gauges. im wondering cuz i was planning on putting a new gauge cluster in my 77.