Gauges

3

38coop

Senior Member
Hello everyone. I am getting ready to add some accessory gauges on my 49 Ford project car. My question is about using mechanical or electric gauges for water temp. and oil pressure. I am leaning towards the S/W electric gauges. Has anyone used these and have problems? Thanks.
 
I use electric gauges to check my gauges in the dash, I also use mechanical gauges they are more accurate and more detailed ,example electric gauge on temperature goes 190 to 230, mechanical will show 190, 200,, 212 and 230.
 
38, I definitely suggest mechanical gauges. I have SW temp. and oil pressure gauges mounted under dash in the center. My 41 is not Concourse so it doesn't matter that they can be seen. At car shows no one mentions them. I know EXACTLY what my temp. and O P is.
 
Here's a picture of my Sunpro mechanical temp gauges in my 49 Ford. One for each head. I believe that I bought them at Advance Auto Parts or maybe eBay. Around $18 each and easy to install. Seem to be accurate when I checked the heads with a infrared temp gun.

Temp%20gauges_zpsrlaykhng.jpg
 
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In general, mechanical gauges have a wider sweep and are easier to see while driving. With many electric gauges, the sweep is short and the calibration is compounded by two variables: sending unit and gauge head spec. Often, factory spec is +/- 10% for either unit.

www.morrisgauge.com
 
In my 39 P/U I used the Auto Meter brand, there website was great to see their selection and when ordering the rep was very helpful with the best options for my application.

I went with the Pro-Comp ultralite series, and the install/schematic details are well written.
 
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In my 47 I put the Sunpro mechanical gauges in the glove box so that they are out of sight until I want to check them.

glove%20box%20gauges_zpszn8mr3lw.jpg
 
I just bought some Sun Pro gauges from Summit for my engine test stand. They are mechanical water temp and electrical oil pressure and voltage. They are on sale for $12.00 for the set of three. Can't beat the price and they seem accurate for my use.
 
I use Murphy gauges, they have a set point in case the heat gets to the undesired point or the oil pressure gets too low an alarm will sound or a flashing red light will allow me to take necessary steps to avoid a failure, they can be set to what ever point of warning desired ,kinda pricey but well worth it to me .
 
I encountered electrical problems on my truck (ultimately the result of the battery with one intermittently shorting cell) that prompted me to install mechanical backup gauges. The mechanical gauges will give you real data independent of the electrical system. If you go with electrical gauges and you have a systemic electrical problem as I did, the electrical gauges won't give you the data you need.

Just a thought.
 
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