My next project is to install gages (volt,temp, etc). Can anyone give me some info on what is better to install...electrical vs mechanical? I know that elec is more expensive. Also can someone give me some pointers on how to run the lines through the firewall, do you have to drill a hole or can it run though a current openning. Thanks John
Personally I like mechanical gauges for the water temp and oil pressure. With the volts it is always electrical. The reason I like these is because the gauges will read acuratly all the time. With the electrical if you have an electrical problem it may mess up the readings. That's just my opinion. I am running Autometer water temp and oil pressure gauges and they are both mechanical. In the box along with the instructions there are little rubber grommets in there which you can put in the hole you drill in the fire wall to run the tubes through. If possible you can also run it through some other place as well. Hope this helps. -Corbin
I used to run mechanical untill the oil pressure gauge sprung a leak and ruined my interior. I also had a problem once with a water temp gauge that the capillary tube leaked after a couple years. Now I only use electric.
I've always run mechanical gauges but I use stainless braided line, the kind with a teflon innner liner. I've never seen one of these lines spring a leak......
That's a good idea. Unfortunately my problem was the gauge itself. Leaked right out the rear where the fitting was crimped to the housing. something inside must hve broken. Made the whole front half of my carpet a soggy mess. But I'm sure that is a very rare occurrance.
i used all mechanical guages. why? well just less wires and easy to hook up. however getting my new guages form autometer they told be that the electrics are more actuate. i was like huh? well i guess heat within the engine compartment can cause false reading on guages especially on liquid filled ones (so mount those inside). so yeah all my new ones are electric. i stil don't like the electircs because there are just way to many wires!!! most autometers use a GM style map sensor connector and at min they have 3 wires not including the 2 others for the light. and like cometgt1974 said use the good lines so they don't leak. besides the nylon stuff is cheap , would never pass a tech inspection at the drags ans is just down right dangrous. so i still like the mech but i guess like all new cars everything is going electric. the choice is yours
Re: ? I had a ride in a car with a mechanical oil pressure guage and that was the first thing that came to my mind when the owner told me what kind of guage it was. Dont know why! :confused:
I think it is all those old John Wayne WWII fighter pilot films...flying tigers, etc....anytime anyone gets shot, oil always spreads all over the cockpit and their goggles....if only they had electric gages. John
CometGT1974; where do you get the lines for the water and oil, in the braided steel? I have looked, and not been very successfull. Any help would be appreciated. Earl
There is a local company "Asheville Hose and Fitting" that has all the stuff required to make the teflon lined, stainless braided hoses. Russell, Earls, Aeroquip and other companies make the stainless braided hose but it is usually a rubber hose liner that will degrade over time. The teflon lined hose will probalby outlast most cars!! In order to get the pre-crimped hose like I get from Asheville Hose you will probalby just need to find a company close to you that makes it. If need be I could have whatever you need made at Asheville Hose and mail it to you but I'm sure there's probably an easier way!!
CometGT1974; thanks for the info. I will check with a company that is close to my work and see what they have. Earl
