Mechanical pressure gauge

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Dec 31, 2002 | 02:59 AM

Polkat

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Joined: Aug 2002

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From: CA

Mechanical pressure gauge

I just put a mechanical oil pressure gauge on my old '73 302. Am a bit worried about the little plastic line melting on the engine. I routed it away from any exhaust pipes. but it gets pretty hot in the engine compartment. Guess it's okay.

Anyway, I'm getting about 40 psi at idle on this old engine, and about 60 psi as high as I have the guts to rev her(maybe 5000 rpm). Does this sound normal to ya all?? Thanks.

Dec 31, 2002 | 03:28 AM

electricmaniac2

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Joined: Jul 2002

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From: Jacksonville, FL

Mechanical pressure gauge

Yep....it's pretty tolerable to engine bay heat. Just keep after it and secure it good...Mine got wrapped around the steering shaft(oops!)

Dec 31, 2002 | 09:10 AM

fordmaniac21

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From: Golden ,CO USA

Mechanical pressure gauge

when i installed my aftermarket oil preasure guage i wrapped the plastic line in a rubber tube that i had laying around. it makes it more tolerable to kinks and bends and looks better having a black line rather than a white lone going into the cab of the truck.
'75 F-100 4x4, 4" lift
35x15.5x15 super swamper TSL/SX
mini-spooled 9" rear end
390 w/ cam,headers,
and 4 barrell edelbrock

TRIED TRUE and FORD BLUE

Dec 31, 2002 | 09:47 AM

AOGDEN

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From: WEEDSPORT NY

Mechanical pressure gauge

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 31-Dec-02 AT 10:49 AM (EST)]When I installed mine, years ago, I did it with a custom gauge panel over the glove box. I screwed up the connection on the back of the gauge and filled the glove box with 10w40. Not a good time. I never encountered any problems with the plastic tube. Just make sure you use grommets where it passes thru the firewall.
The readings do sound right though.

Dec 31, 2002 | 08:20 PM

Mike W

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 7,157

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From: Central Kali

Mechanical pressure gauge

I put mine in a length of vacuum hose, cheap and it works. Your oil pressure is good.

Dec 31, 2002 | 10:23 PM

Torque1st

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Mechanical pressure gauge

Actually for an old Ford your oil pressure is GREAT!

Hook up an idiot light to a pressure switch in case that plastic line breaks in the engine bay or something else happens. You could hook the switch up right at the gage so it would show instantly if you had a problem in the line or the engine.

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Jan 1, 2003 | 10:40 AM

joetee10

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Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 194

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From: united states

Mechanical pressure gauge

Instead of using the plastic line, most parts stores carry a copper line kit with all the fittings. That way you can route the line where you want it to go and it will look a whole lot better than plastic line zip tied to your engine.