15 replies to this topic

[AVV IT]

Hi,

I'm trying to select some auxiliary gauges for my new aftermarket dash and thinking about a vacuum gauge & oil pressure gauge, but not sure how straight forward it would be to connect them up. Can these be easily connected to a standard carb fed 1275 engine?

Is there an existing port to connect the oil pressure sensor to? & where would be the best place to attach the vacuum gauge pipe to?

Cheers

[Ouster]

Oil pressure gauge connects to the hole where the oil pressure switch goes (clutch side of block, above oil pressure release valve, below oil feed pipe. You'll need a braided pipe of some sorts, and probably some adaptors. If you want to run with the oil pressure switch still, you'll need this, and this (plus this pipe.

As for the vacuum gauge, you use the distributor advance take-off from the carb/inlet manifold. Just plumb a t-piece into the system.

[bmcecosse]

Why on earth would you want a vacuum gauge!

[redboy]

id like these gauges and a voltmeter,does anyone know what the tim guages are like, are they as accurate as the smiths seems there cheaper and do they have lights in them

[bmcecosse]

TIM 'guages' (sic) are horrible - use nothing less than good traditional Smiths!

[redboy]

just dont like the smith price

[AVV IT]

Why on earth would you want a vacuum gauge!

Well its a case of most aftermarket dashboards having 3 x 52mm gauge holes as standard. Once you've fitted a clock and volt meter, what do you put in the third hole that's left over? A Vacuum gauge seems fairly easy to connect up and looks nice and pretty, regardless of how practically pointless it may be!!

[AndyMiniMad.]

I fitted a smiths clock £65 off ebay. a vacume guage, a smiths amp guage, a tim volt meter, smiths oil pressure guage and a tim electric water temp guage. all fitted in 2 x 3 way pods. they all work great are accurate anl look fab with the lights on. can u ever have to much info about wats goin on under the bonnet?

[bmcecosse]

Amps, water temperature and oil pressure - that's what the 3 holes are for! I get the time from a small device on my wrist...... And unless you have vacuum brakes (like <<<< Morayshire ?) I really can't see the point of a vacuum gauge!

[AndyMiniMad.]

Your quite right no point at all its just personal choice. some like some dont, Me, i like, its an easy mod.

[AVV IT]

Amps, water temperature and oil pressure - that's what the 3 holes are for! I get the time from a small device on my wrist...... And unless you have vacuum brakes (like <<<< Morayshire ?) I really can't see the point of a vacuum gauge!

Traditional purpose of the three holes aside..... Amps means very little to me, I'd rather have a voltmeter to give a vague idea of battery/alternator function. The standard fuel/water temp gauge on the dash gives a vague enough idea of water temp for me (i.e. normal or over heating).

I myself find some difficulty in reading that small device on my wrist whilst driving in the dark. It then gets particularly dodgy when I'm using the other hand to try and press the little illuminate button on said wrist time piece whilst driving. So a back-lit dash clock is actually kinda practical. (maybe that's why modern cars tend to have them?)

So....... Point of vacuum gauge = fills the hole, looks pretty, easy to fit and costs £20 ish (versus oil pressure gauge that costs £50+ and requires all manner of adapters hoses etc that costs another £20 on top)

[AndyMiniMad.]

It is of course your choice. if you dont go with an oil pressure guage i would highly recommend a change of oil pressure switch, standard fitment item works as around 7 psi. the engine will be humped by the time the light comes on. its an easy job to change this and cheep. i got a 22psi switch from mini spares.

[AVV IT]

It is of course your choice. if you dont go with an oil pressure guage i would highly recommend a change of oil pressure switch, standard fitment item works as around 7 psi. the engine will be humped by the time the light comes on. its an easy job to change this and cheep. i got a 22psi switch from mini spares.

Thanks for the advice, certainly will do!

[Sleepy Stu]

Amps, water temperature and oil pressure - that's what the 3 holes are for! I get the time from a small device on my wrist...... And unless you have vacuum brakes (like <<<< Morayshire ?) I really can't see the point of a vacuum gauge!

Certainly not Amps unless you are running an old dynamo. Volts is much more useful

[minifan333]

http://www.minisport...nfo_GPS133.html

This will work with smith oil pressure like this?

http://www.minisport...BP2404-01C.html