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.