gauges
 

Which gauges are better, mechanical or electrical? I am going to install a new gauge pod with a new oil pressure and ammeter and would like to know which is better to purchase, especially since I have never used electrical gauges. And in the near future I am going to get a 160 speedo too. I hate that damn 85 mph speedo. I can do that in third with no problem. Thanks.

Different strokes for different folks. I swear by mechanical gauges, but some people swear by electrical. Advantages for mechanical include not having to worry about resistance or bad connections, and not needing voltage for the gauges to work. Advantages for the electrical gauges include easier installation, and no chance of having oil leak on your carpet.

Take care,
-Chris

That's what I thought. Now I see that I am not the only one who swears by mechanical gauges. I'm just a mechanical kind of guy. Like I said earlier, I have never used electrical gauges. I figured that since I see so many of them in the catalogs and online, there had to be something better about them. You hit the nail on the head, PKRWUD. It just a personal preference like I originally thought. Thanks.

no you use an isolator and run a mechanical fuel gauge quite safe.

No Sweat.

:)

Take care,
-Chris

I want to run a fuel pressure guage in my car, but the electric is $200! Can I run a mech in the car with an isolator, if so how much $$?

I have an autometer fuel pressure gauge, with the isolator. the isolator was like 50 bucks extra with the braided tubing for the isolator, another 20 bucks for the braided tubing from the isolator to the gauge... This was a loooong time ago so those prices are approximate.

Thanks. How big is the isolator? I've seen the ones for carb setups. Is it much larger/smaller?

it's tiny... like a little bigger diameter as a D size battery and about half as long.

Is it a full swept gauge? If so i'm buying one, thanks again.

what do you mean, full swept?

Here is a pic of the isolator:

Here is a pic of the Gauge:

Your fuel pres. gauge is a full swept gauge. It just means that the needle travels across more then half the gauge unlike like your oil pres. gauge does.

Your gauges look good but how well does the vents blow air? I was wanting to do the same for my car/

They DO blow air, but not much at all... you have to rely on the side vents mostly! :)

Plus - if you are like me, you will realize that you want another gauge in the middle vents, and end up buying/installing the 3-gauge holder anyway.

Just curious - from the picture that was attached, you went to all the trouble to run an isolator for a full sweep Fuel Pressure gauge, but then installed an Electric Oil Pressure gauge - why is that?

When I got the fuel pressure gauge, they didn't have an electric sending unit, so I got that, no other reason.

Joe,

What brand and part # if you still have it is your isolator. I prefer the mechanical gauge but can only find very expensive isolators for the fuel pressure.

It is from Autometer and the Part # is ATM-5280 I ordered it from Summit on 4-14-98 and paid 41.95 for it.
The extra 4 ft braided hose was another 39.95 and that part # is ATM-3229

the isolator for that gauge at Summit is $91. Thats a better price then the $199 electric fuel pressure gauge.

Mechanical Gauge
$ 91 ---- isolator
$ 40 ---- Braided fuel line
$ 40(roughly) ---- fuel gauge
$ ? All extra fittings(if needed)

Electrical Gauge
$200 ---- Everything needed


This is what Chris was trying to say about it comes down to a personal preference. You choose which one you prefer. The price for the 2 is close.

Wow!! I can't believe the price of that isolator went up that much!!! :eek: :eek: of course it was 4 years ago when i got mine

Fuel gauge for RPM427
 

I have an electrical fuel pressure gauge from autometer, it is the ultra lite 2 1/16" gauge and its price was only $84.95. The part # is 4309. You can get it through summit. I don't know where the $200 gauge came from, I asked about it too when I bought mine.

The $200 gauge is the nice one, with 2 psi increments, full sweep, highly accurate. they do make cheaper ones, which is what I guess you have?

How does the isolater work? What liquid is on the other side of the isolater? Is there fuel going to the gauge?

the extra price is from the isolator. The outside mount guages are very cheap, its the ones that can be mounted in the car that cost much more.

I am also a big fan of mechanical gauges. The reason is that the 270 spread is much easier to read than a 180 that you get with electric. I have oil pressure and temp sitting on my a-pillar.

You hook one side directly up to the schraeder valve, and on the other side of the isolator you fill it with antifreeze, the biggest pain in the *** is that you have to bleed it so it works right, and you need two people for that. No fuel to the gauge for safety reasons.

Dog5ohfun - Possible Recall
 

Dog5ohfun - you may want to check the Autometer website and see if your gauge was affected by a recall - I had the $79 Electric FP gauge and it was recalled due to sender problems. I sent them my old gauge - and they sent me the $180 full-sweep gauge FOR FREE!

I want another source of pressurized antifreeze coming into my interior about as much as I want fuel coming into my interior. And you have to bleed it...forget it! In my opinion, there is no reason not to get the electric gauge, other than saving some coin. If somebody cant connect a few wires to a sending unit properly, they have no business working on cars in the first place. You can read the autometer full sweep electric "ultra lite"gauge (not sure about the other ones they have) fine, it has 2 psi increments. Maybe its the aircraft mechanic in me, but you wont see any fluids running to the cockpit of an aircraft for the same reasons you shouldnt run them into the interior of your car. Electric is the way to go.

Trust me, I agree with you, but summit did NOT sell the electric sender when I got my gauge... I'm all for the easy hook-up! :)

Gauges
 

The sender mounts directly on the fuel rail and sends the electrical signal to the gauge. I have it mounted in the pillar pod. I will check on that recall, thanks. I do have a problem, the electrical gauge doesn't match the pressure on the mechanical gauge that I also have under the hood.

Did you split a line off the fuel rail, or did you put the mechanical guage on your adjustable FPR?

They usually mount, with an adapter, to the schraeder valve.

Take care,
-Chris

RED92LX50-- Thanks for the info. on the recall for my fuel pressure gauge. I called today so now I have to take it out of the car and they are sending me the full swept gauge for replacement. :) So, to anyone else reading these don't by autometer fuel pressure #4309. There is also a list at Autometer.com of other fuel gauges that have been recalled.

PKRWUD i know all about the hole oil on the floor thing..happend to me...er :rolleyes:

http://www.mustangworks.com/rides/pi...1151-slot3.jpg

That looks pretty good!

Take care,
-Chris