Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Performance oil pressure gauge

I picked up a A-pillar pod for some new gaues and I have a question about an oil-pressure gauge install.

Someone told me that with mechanical gauges that all the calculations are done at the gauge, meaning that with an oil gauge that oil would be running all the way to the gauge. Is that the case...Does a mechanical oil pressure gauge have oil running all lthe way to the gauge, or does a sending unit read the pressure and send the reading to the gauge? Do they make electronic oil pressue gauges that are differenct?

thanks,
Tom

Oil all the way to the guage? that sounds rediculous.

I have no experience with it, but im going to assume the pressure sending unit... sends the reading to the guage.

mechanical reads at the gauge, electrical reads with a remote mounted sender.

Yep...thats why so many people (reading through old posts) choose an electrical oil gauge over the mechanical one. Makes everything a whole lot easier.

With a mechanical gauge you have to run a very thin nylon capillary right into the gauge, which yes would bring oil into your car. With an electrical gauge it reads it from a sender in your block and sends an electric signal to the gauge itself. Electrical is a much cleaner option but is said to be less accurate. Your best bet would be to go electrical but use the spot behind the A/C compressor for your sender, not the head.

Seems like alot of work for the mechanical, Can see why electronic was created

Yep. But just as Euro said, mechanical gauges are more accurate. Just nice to have an option other then mechanical, like this one, so you dont have to spend a lot of time and risking damaging leaky oil....

Mechanical is the best choice for accuracy. Yes they do come with a nylon line and WARNING DO NOT KINK IT OR IT CAN LEAK. They do sell a copper line to replace the nylon more durable less prone to leak. Trust me on that! I kinked a nylon line in my classic and it leak within a few days and it is a mess to clean. Be carefull do it right take your time and all will be good.

Thanks for all the replies. I don't like the idea of running oil all the way into the passenger compartment, so I think I'll go with the electrical version.

As far as mounting location. EuroTour99 recommended mounting it behind the A/C compressor not on the head, I assume it is more accurate there. Most of the posts here say the easiest place is the head, but is there a place behind the A/C to attach it without being making the install much more difficult???

thanks,
Tom

I think I found my own answer, does this seem accurate?