Gauges...mechanical or electrical?

Fox Hound · 09-16-2002, 03:23 PM

What are you guys using, especially with the oil pressure? Are the electrical ones just as accurate? Are the installs just as easy?

302 LX Eric · 09-16-2002, 03:56 PM

I'm using AutoMeter mechanical gauges and like them. Easy install and no problems in 4 years.

E

lx mike · 09-16-2002, 04:12 PM

No matter which one you get either mechanical or electrical they will be alot more accurate that the stock gauges. then you will know how hot or cold your water temp is and how high or low your oil pressure is.

Mach 1 · 09-16-2002, 04:54 PM

I prefer electrical. Why run oil lines into your interior when you dont have to? The electrical are just as accurate, easier to install, and less chance of a mess in your car. I really dont see any reason to go mechanical.

drtbiker · 09-16-2002, 08:16 PM

i prefer mechanical...... it is not that hard to install them either

82 GT · 09-16-2002, 10:04 PM

I prefer mechanic gauges because if you have a problem with your electrical system then you can't really rely on you electrical gauges.
Did you ever see on older cars with external voltage regulators that go bad. Those factory electrical gauges go crazy. I don't know if that problem is fixed with these newer internal regulators or not but still.......how accurate can they be if you have a battery going low.
Another point, if an electrical gauge quits working for whatever reason then you have to mess with troubleshooting where the problem is such as shorts, grounds, bad connections etc.

Mach 1 · 09-17-2002, 07:35 AM

I think if you have electrical problems or a low battery, you have bigger problems to worry about than your gauges. If have electrical problems or a weak battery, you shouldnt even be driving the car, unless you like to get stuck somewhere. Your gauge readings wouldnt even be a concern at this point.

And if installed correctly, you should never have to worry about shorts, opens, or bad connections.

I think the routing of fluids into your interior is a bad idea no matter what, and with the easy installation and reliability of electrical gauges, theres just no good reason for it.

but a lot of people like mechanical gauges, and they work fine also.

whatever you prefer. Its just safer to run electrical

kdog · 09-17-2002, 10:50 AM

I like the mechanical gauges because you get a wider needle "sweep". Which, I think, is easier to read. Also, your water temp gauge doesn't go dead when the electricity is turned off. I watch the temperature after shutdown and between rounds and I don't have to jack with turning the key on and off.

USMC302 · 09-17-2002, 12:04 PM

I use the electrical guages, but my oil guage was bad out of the box, the sending unit anyway. Still haven't gotten another one, hope I don't have any problems with oil pressure!!

RED92LX50 · 09-17-2002, 12:23 PM

I vote for mechanical.

As mentioned, they are not reliant upon the electrical system, and they have a broader sweep across the dial. I am not sure about differences in accuracy between electrical -vs- mechanical but with electrical you have two points of failure (the sender and the gauge) while with mechanical you have only one (the gauge).

Mach 1 · 09-17-2002, 04:47 PM

I beleive the broad sweep gauges are all available now in electric as well.

09-16-2002, 03:23 PM	#1
Fox Hound Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 58	Gauges...mechanical or electrical? What are you guys using, especially with the oil pressure? Are the electrical ones just as accurate? Are the installs just as easy?

09-16-2002, 03:56 PM	#2
302 LX Eric or '331 LX Eric' Join Date: Jan 1999 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 2,142	I'm using AutoMeter mechanical gauges and like them. Easy install and no problems in 4 years. E __________________ 1991 5.0 LX Coupe - 40,750 miles 331 cu. in. / Tremec 3550 / BFG Drag Radials 12.22 @ 114.31 mph - w/1.89 60'

09-16-2002, 04:12 PM	#3
lx mike Undescribable Join Date: Sep 1998 Location: Ft Myers Fla Posts: 1,539	No matter which one you get either mechanical or electrical they will be alot more accurate that the stock gauges. then you will know how hot or cold your water temp is and how high or low your oil pressure is. __________________ Rice Haters Club Member #101

09-16-2002, 04:54 PM	#4
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I prefer electrical. Why run oil lines into your interior when you dont have to? The electrical are just as accurate, easier to install, and less chance of a mess in your car. I really dont see any reason to go mechanical. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

09-16-2002, 08:16 PM	#5
drtbiker Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Mt. Prospect,IL Posts: 474	i prefer mechanical...... it is not that hard to install them either __________________ 87-ford-mustang-SOLD! mods: 3:73's, off road h-pipe, b303 cam in gt- 40 motor w/ Power Plus intake, edelbrock 70mm tb & egr spacer, 72mm C&L, bbk long tubes, tremec tranny, centerforce dual friction clutch, upr and lwr CA's 255lph FP and soon more to come.... when i have money again SOME ADVICE Don't do burn outs in reverse it is very expensive New times with dead hook on dr's 13.27@103 with 2.0 60 foots w/100lb system Fastest time to date: 12.8@113

09-16-2002, 10:04 PM	#6
82 GT Import Slayer Join Date: May 1999 Posts: 2,241	I prefer mechanic gauges because if you have a problem with your electrical system then you can't really rely on you electrical gauges. Did you ever see on older cars with external voltage regulators that go bad. Those factory electrical gauges go crazy. I don't know if that problem is fixed with these newer internal regulators or not but still.......how accurate can they be if you have a battery going low. Another point, if an electrical gauge quits working for whatever reason then you have to mess with troubleshooting where the problem is such as shorts, grounds, bad connections etc. __________________ '82 GT 351W (.060)Comp Cams 274* Extreme Energy cam, ported & polished heads w/ 1.94/1.60 valves 10.3:1 flat top pistons,stealth intake, Mallory dizzy,Holley 750dp carb, BBK shorties,Flowmaster exhaust,C-4 with 3700 stall converter, B&M pro shifter,8.8 rear, 4:10's, subframes, electric fan, powermaster alternator, 4 core radiator.

09-17-2002, 07:35 AM	#7
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I think if you have electrical problems or a low battery, you have bigger problems to worry about than your gauges. If have electrical problems or a weak battery, you shouldnt even be driving the car, unless you like to get stuck somewhere. Your gauge readings wouldnt even be a concern at this point. And if installed correctly, you should never have to worry about shorts, opens, or bad connections. I think the routing of fluids into your interior is a bad idea no matter what, and with the easy installation and reliability of electrical gauges, theres just no good reason for it. but a lot of people like mechanical gauges, and they work fine also. whatever you prefer. Its just safer to run electrical __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

09-17-2002, 10:50 AM	#8
kdog Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Abilene, TX Posts: 70	I like the mechanical gauges because you get a wider needle "sweep". Which, I think, is easier to read. Also, your water temp gauge doesn't go dead when the electricity is turned off. I watch the temperature after shutdown and between rounds and I don't have to jack with turning the key on and off.

09-17-2002, 12:04 PM	#9
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	I use the electrical guages, but my oil guage was bad out of the box, the sending unit anyway. Still haven't gotten another one, hope I don't have any problems with oil pressure!! __________________

09-17-2002, 12:23 PM	#10
RED92LX50 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Fairfax, VA Posts: 220	I vote for mechanical. As mentioned, they are not reliant upon the electrical system, and they have a broader sweep across the dial. I am not sure about differences in accuracy between electrical -vs- mechanical but with electrical you have two points of failure (the sender and the gauge) while with mechanical you have only one (the gauge). __________________ 1992 LX 5.0 Convertible Red/Blk Gears, Exhaust, bolt-ons... R.H.C. #51

09-17-2002, 04:47 PM	#11
Mach 1 Registered Member Join Date: May 1999 Location: Georgia Posts: 3,866	I beleive the broad sweep gauges are all available now in electric as well. __________________ 2002 GT 1993 GT (SOLD) '93 Mustang GT RHC member #142

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