10 replies to this topic

[leepol83]

Hi just looking into getting an oil temp & oil pressure gauge. Ime unsure which to go for ive got a sports pack magnolia clock in the middle of the dash so want to match it to them. Ime looking to do the least wiring as possible so need to know whats involved as in wiring and plumbing.
Ive looked at a few gauges some say electric some say capilary ime assuming I want capilary to cut down on wiring. If anyones got pics or any advice that would be great

Where does the oil pressure plumb into
where does the oil temp plumb into
what wirings involved
What do I need
Thanks guys.....

[Big_Adam]

Where does the oil pressure plumb into
where does the oil temp plumb into
what wirings involved
What do I need
Thanks guys.....

Answering as if you want a Smiths Mechanical Gauge.

Oil Pressure - Oil pressure switch, can get adapters from mini spares.
Oil Temp - either sump plug or special filter housing fitting
Wiring - One for the lamp in the gauge.
Need to do - Have 7+ brain cells and hook it all up.

That said, smiths gauges are oddly expensive but an oil temp / pressure gauge is easy to find.

[leepol83]

Where does the oil pressure plumb into
where does the oil temp plumb into
what wirings involved
What do I need
Thanks guys.....

Answering as if you want a Smiths Mechanical Gauge.

Oil Pressure - Oil pressure switch, can get adapters from mini spares.
Oil Temp - either sump plug or special filter housing fitting
Wiring - One for the lamp in the gauge.
Need to do - Have 7+ brain cells and hook it all up.

That said, smiths gauges are oddly expensive but an oil temp / pressure gauge is easy to find.

Ha ha thats great cheers buddy just the brain cells to get hold of then
Dont supose anyones got a picture of the pipes and bits and bobs I need looked at minispares gauges doesnt look like they come with anything but the gauge its self.

[Sleepy Stu]

This has be covered many times, the search button is you friend!!!

But if your to lazy like i am most of the time

you'll be needing

t piece
http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=37438

adaptor
http://www.minispare....aspx?pid=37666

and also the pipe that goes from the adaptor to gauge itself

oil pipe
http://www.minispare...ty=pb&pid=38153





T-Piece screws into the block where your oil pressure sender is currently located. Then you screw your oil pressure sender into the end of that t-piece. Then screw the adapter into the side of the t-piece and you can then connect your pipe from the gauge to the adapter.

While your at it i would also consider replacing your oil pressure sender with 22 psi sender as the original was an 8psi one and not really that useful!

[Big_Adam]

As for the oil temp bit, I'd check local engineering firms to see if they can weld on a filter housing to add an adapter in for a temp sender.

[leepol83]

As for the oil temp bit, I'd check local engineering firms to see if they can weld on a filter housing to add an adapter in for a temp sender.

Thanks guys that's great don't suppose Anyones got pics of the connections in the engine it's always easier to see it in a pic

[Mr Joshua]

Smiths oil temp gauge requires a 10v supply. A 12v supply will see you over reading.

[dklawson]

While your at it i would also consider replacing your oil pressure sender with 22 psi sender as the original was an 8psi one and not really that useful!

Yes and no on the pressure switch. The 22 PSI switch will give you an earlier warning when things are going wrong. However, a hot engine running old oil may have pressure as low as 15 PSI at idle. Believe it or not... that can still be more than adequate. Bring the RPM back up to 2000 and the pressure is likely to be well over 30 PSI. Having the 22 PSI switch may unnecessarily spook you at idle. Keep in mind that we are talking about installing an oil pressure gauge at the same time so there will be no question about what the oil pressure really is.

Smiths oil temp gauge requires a 10v supply. A 12v supply will see you over reading.

True for an electric oil temperature gauge. However, almost all oil temp gauges I have seen are mechanical with an expansion bulb. I have had oil temperature gauges on (non-Mini) cars before. I have never found them to be useful. However, to each his own.

[Carlos W]

True for an electric oil temperature gauge. However, almost all oil temp gauges I have seen are mechanical with an expansion bulb. I have had oil temperature gauges on (non-Mini) cars before. I have never found them to be useful. However, to each his own.
[/quote]

I was going to go oil cooler, and oil pressure gauge! If the engine is hot I'm hoping the water temperature will be hot (unless it's spat it all out) and I don't want too many gauges!

[leepol83]

Ok ime not going to bother with the oil temp just the oil pressure but do need to fill the hole with something so maby a volts gauge whats involved in that.
I think ime clear on the oil pressure now I will do as Sleepy Stu says but not use the 22psi sender just get a new 8psi one does that sound right then.

Edited by leepol83, 09 September 2010 - 05:09 PM.

[dklawson]

A voltage gauge can be very handy. They all hook up basically the same, one lead to earth, the other to a switched 12V supply. On Smiths voltage gauges you can hook either gauge terminal to earth or power. On aftermarket gauges you may need to pay attention to polarity. Others will have to suggest specific places to connect the 12V gauge lead. In general, the green wires behind the dash will be switched 12V lines.

Another thing that can be nice to fill that 52mm hole would be a nice analog quartz clock. While there are Smiths clocks they can be quite expensive. Used VDO clocks are readily available on eBay as take outs from VWs and such.