Dual Gauge Holders

A

A-Man

Senior Member
I am planning to install a temperature gauge and maybe an oil pressure gauge on my 1930 CCPU. Which dual gauge holder/bracket would be the best option, the one that mounts around the steering column OR the one that mounts under the instrument dash?

I installed the "Steering Column Support", rather than using the support on the bottom of the gas tank, to reduce the chances of gas leakage. So would I be able to use the dual gauge bracket that mounts underneath the dash rail, since that is where the steering column support is now mounted? I am also inquiring as to if it is worth the expense and effort to put an an oil pressure gauge.

Thanks.
 
Hmmm - oil pressure gauge - from what I have read about the oiling system in the Model A engine, I wonder if a gauge really tells you anything. It's a low-pressure system (2-4 lbs) - will an oil pressure gauge provide an accurate and meaningful readout?

On the other hand, a temperature gauge makes a lot of sense to me. Mounted in the engine outlet pipe, it should provide a useful indication of coolant temperature in the engine.

My plan is to install a temp gauge under the instrument panel, assuming that it doesn't interfere with the shifter.
 
This unit attaches to your steering column support and will hold 2 gauges. If you think the oil pressure is not useful, there is always a tach to put in the second hole. Snyder's part # A-11808-B, they are in most vendors catalogs. Specify that it is for "Late 31" to get the correct one for your column support.
 

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MrTube said:
Does anyone make an oil temperature gauge for the A?
Click to expand...
I haven't used one in a Model A, but I have used them in other Fords I've had. I just used a 2" gage that read "Temp" and labeled it "oil", "******", etc. I would think that locating where you want the probe would be the hard part in a Model A.
 
I'm using the SS dual gauge holder that mounts under the dashboard. It's sold by Bratton's and is polished SS and quiet strong. By having it under the dashboard, it is illuminated by the dashboard light for easy viewing at night. I routed both oil and water temperature lines thru the channel in the bottom of the gas tank out thru the terminal block(no holes in the firewall). A nice, clean installation.
 
If the gear shift lever is a repro the shift knob may hit. I have the single temperture gauge mounted under the round speedometer style instrument panel on one of our cars and the shift knob is very close in reverse and second gear. Just a thought.
 
I'd like more information about the usefulness of an oil pressure gauge in a stock A. Here's one of the threads I was referring to in post #2: http://fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41722&highlight=oil+pressure+gauge

Some of the points mentioned in the posts led me to think that the oil pressure gauge wouldn't be much help! Am I misinterpreting the thread?

I'm not opposed to having an oil pressure gauge - just trying to understand how useful it would be.
 
I made my own out of some 1.5mm sheet stock. Cost me nothing, where-as the bought ones are quite expensive here.
DSCN0861.jpg
 
I just re-read A-Man's original post. Though he had asked about the utility of oil pressure gauges, but he did not. I apologize for trying to take his thread in a different direction.
 
I just installed a Temp Gauge and an Oil Pressure Gauge from Snyder's and got the Holder that mounts under the dash panel. HOWEVER, The Gearshift Lever hits the ignition key when I put it in reverse, so I'll have to mount the holder farther down under the dashboard and bend the mounting tabs in also. Does anyone bend their Shift Lever to accomodate the gauges???? P.S. The Oil Press. Gauge reads about 4 lbs. It just looks better for balance.
 
I posted this last time the subject of oil pressure came up.

"In a stock system the pump supplies FLOW not pressure so you probably wont see much more than 4# at any time. I got scared once when mine dropped to zero running at 40 MPH but once I understood the system I never worry about it. I only use the gauge to make sure the pump is working not for a pressure reading."

I also use a pressure gauge when I start a motor on my run in stand so the customer can see the oil pump is working. Seems to be a big hit with most people. The only need for an oil gauge on a model A is just to confirm the pump is working.
 
Hi,

In about 1959, with a Model B engine, while racing, had one (1) oil pump cast iron tube around the rotating oil pump shaft break just below where it meets the block. The front connecting rod babbitt melted, chewed up the crankshaft, & began knocking.

An oil pump gauge would have immediately read zero & maybe if noticed, this could have avoided such a loss.

Humble opinion.
 
i cold bend my gear shiter to miss the gauges . i use a 15" cresent wrench , the end with the hole around the stick , then bend it slowly ...........
 
We have the steering column mount on a couple of cars, the one with 12 volt we run modern gauges tach and temp, the 6 volt car has temp and oil, yes the oil pressure does not register much, but we have a full flow filter and it shows between 5-10 pounds depending on how cold it is in the morning when we start it up.
 
I'm still looking at how everything is going to fit. Mine is the late 31 with the column mount on the dash rail, and with the gauge mount and a Signal Stat turn signal mounted there as well, things get a little busy.
 
CarlG said:
This unit attaches to your steering column support and will hold 2 gauges. If you think the oil pressure is not useful, there is always a tach to put in the second hole. Snyder's part # A-11808-B, they are in most vendors catalogs. Specify that it is for "Late 31" to get the correct one for your column support.
Click to expand...

I've got this one and the 2 1/16 gauges fit fine
 
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