Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications General Mods Need help with oil pressure gauge

I have the Autometer gauge everyone here talked about. The problem I have is installing the sending unit. The head seemed the easiest. Just unscrew the plug using a 1/4" allen wrench then screw in the unit (said in all post about install).

1st - How do you break the plug? I've tried with 1/4" drive and could not even budge it.

2nd - Does the unit even fit in that area? It look like there is a pipe that need to be moved first.

3rd - How do you tighten the unit. I can hardly put my hand in that space let alone a wrench.

so you all don't think Im a complete idiot, I did install the other gauges with out help.

I tried to install Autometer sender in that spot. Got the plug out fairly easy, but the sender was too big to fit in that area. The pcv valve and hoses were in the way. Thoght about going with mechanical gauge, but saw a post where Terry Haines said best spot was to use the factory oil pressure switch hole. It's a pita to get to. Had to get the accy. drive belt loose, take the a/c compressor loose, and fit my fat little mitts up in there to get the swicth out and install fittings etc. I used braided line and AN fittings to run from block up to a tee. One side of tee has the oil press. sender and the other side has the factory switch, so I still have the warning light if pressure drops. Check out topic in this section dated OCT 29, 2001 (I believe) for further info. Almost forgot, had to take the oil filter off also for more room during the install and I've got a little more room than stock due to headers and remote oil cooler.

Randyj - Thanks for the help. couldn't you of run the braided hose from the head instead of going from the factory sender unit?

I'm sure you can, but Mr. Haines recommends reading pressure from the block vs. head. I was installing remote oil filter and oil cooler at the time, so I just did it all then.(Had a long weekend).

Unbolt the a/c compressor so you can get behind it,go to the left of the stock oil pressure sender unit, remove the hex plug, fit the 'metric' autometer adaptor & use a 90 deg connection for the autometer line,care to endure the line has clearence behind the a/c compressor......

It sure sounds easy when you say it that way. Ill try it this weekend and let you know how easy it was.
thanks for the help!

Buy a 45 degree angle adapter. I bought mine from napa. They took a look at the sending unit from Autometer and hooked me up.
Now the sending unit sits at a 45 degrees up and 45 degrees to the right. It works beautifully.