10 replies to this topic

[Mini Waco]

Forgive the question if redundant, but I have a challenge using the forum search function given English-American terminology and spelling.

I see the various L/H & R/H dashboards with 1, 2 or 3 main holes and then with extra smaller holes.  I believe my restoration will include the 3 additional smaller holes for Oil Pressure, Clock and Voltmeter.  Then being manual transmission, I believe I want a Tachometer with my Speedometer, but I can’t figure out what the 3rd larger hole is used for?  I know I need a fuel gauge, but the main three holes on a dash appear to be the same size (80 or 100 mm??) and I’m not sure what other useful gauges are as big as a Tach or Speedo.  What have you guys used or what am I missing?  Then what about the difference or benefits of electrical vs manual gauges?  After reading all that I can find, I believe I will not make use of Oil Temperature, Vacuum, Ammeter or Water Temp gauges.  If I have gone astray with incorrect thinking in not needing any of the mentioned gauges, I welcome being corrected with why I may need any that I’ve chosen to eliminate.   What am I missing or what gauges do you long time owners use and find beneficial?  Last but not least, do the newer gauges utilize LED lights?   I’m only in planning stages and would greatly appreciate the education as I’m trying to learn exactly what gauges will help me tune into my engines health.  Ah, I don’t know if it’s worth mentioning, but my engine is a 998 with no kits (yet) on a 1982 Mk IV Mini.  Thanks all,

 

[timmy850]

The third gauge is a combined water temp and fuel level like so:

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item21008b6bc2

 

The dual gauges just don't have the tacho

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item33a5f365e7

 

The two most critical ones in my opinion are water temp and oil pressure. You don't want to be over heating, and if you are loosing oil pressure it can damage your engine really fast. I have a vacuum gauge in mine which doesn't provide any useful information 99% of the time. They can be useful in tuning if you know how to use them. Volt gauges are similar, they won't really provide anything interesting the majority of the time, but can help diagnosing a problem. Most smiths gauges that are fitted to minis have normal globes which can be swapped for new ones. I'm sure you could find LED bulbs to fit in them. If you are buying new aftermarket gauges there is a huge amount of choice..

 

I have mechanical gauges in my car. 

Pros:

Easy to connect up. Just mechanical line and globe

Work even if you have dodgy electrics or the car is turned off

 

Cons:

Oil pressure gauge has hot oil under pressure inside the cabin, can be messy if it fails (which would be highly unlikely)

Mechanical senders have a long tube on them which is harder to hide in the engine bay than wiring electrical gauges

Edited by timmy850, 13 August 2015 - 12:24 AM.

[KernowCooper]

For me

1. Oil Pressure

2. Engine Temperature

3. Voltmeter

[Mini Waco]

Perfect Timmy850, thank you.  I figured the 3rd gauge had to be fuel and something.  Now that I know what all gauges I want, then will have to research how they all connect to the engine.  I'm hoping my Haynes and How to modify your Mini books will help in that category.  However silly question I know, but water temperature - do you guys really use water in the radiator or is it a mixture of something to help prevent freezing in winter.  Yes I'm daft when it comes to engines, but I'm learning.

[timmy850]

Water temp is the temperature of the coolant (either water, or a water/coolant mix) in the engine. Depending on where the sender is you normally get the temperature of the coolant as it is warming up, and once the thermostat opens it shows the temp of the coolant flowing through the engine and radiator. It measures at the hottest point - at the top of the engine just before it goes into the radiator. 
 
In this photo you can see the water temperature sender (circled yellow) and the oil pressure sender (circled green) locations on an early 998.

Edited by timmy850, 13 August 2015 - 01:12 AM.

[Mini Waco]

Absolutely perfect..  I thank you.   Those two locations were two pieces of my puzzle.   I just came in after looking over the engine and trying to identify various components.  This is off topic, but I must ask.  Unless I have guessed incorrectly, the distributor appears to be directly behind the grille and pointed towards the grille.  The last thing I want to do is find fault, but this location and orientation seems to be asking for trouble in wet weather.  I'm anxious to get started on my restoration, but I still have much to learn about the car.   I will read through and follow your project as well...

[timmy850]

If you upgrade the ignition to electronic instead of points you shouldn't have any problems. You can also fit a distributor shield like the later cars had. Mine has never had any issues even driving in the rain.

[Mini Manannán]

You're spot on with your presumption Mini Waco, the position of the distributor has and does give problems in wet weather. There are various remedies. A simple weather shield which you can buy off the shelf (my dad always made do with a square of plastic bag cut to size and ties in position), you can get a rubber kitchen glove and feed the HT leads through the fingers. As Timmy says though, best of all is electronic ignition.

[Mini Waco]

Thanks guys.  Hmm..  I need to research more.  Something in my head has a few red flags raising about electronic ignition, but my knowledge is based on very little so I will look into this as well.  This has been wonderfully helpful.

[timmy850]

All you need is a kit like this to get rid of the points and have electronic ignition. Just get one for your type of distributor. Too easy!

http://www.simonbbc....istributor-mini

Edited by timmy850, 13 August 2015 - 11:20 AM.

[mingy]

I use a duel water temp/oil temp gauge that was standard fitment on the MGs, you get both readings in one 52mm gauge which, allowed me to install a vacuum gauge which is the most basic diagnostic instrument you can get that allows you to monitor the engines health in various ways and helps you drive economically, just like the modern electronics that display MPG etc.