49 replies to this topic

[Rubbershorts]

Evening everyone.

I'm looking to fit a vacuum guage and was wondering what the differences are between these two. I prefer the look of the Smith, but the Tim looks like it may be more useful. Anyone know if one is technically better than the other? Cheers, Daz.

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[timmy850]

A gauge with actual numbers is better if you want to use it for fault finding

You can get the smiths gauge with numbers too if you find the right one

[Spider]

When I was much younger and run such gauges, this was the Smiths Vacuum gauge I ran;-

 

 

[68+86auto]

Get the one that's a bucking hose that sits on the dash  . Unfortunately I can't find a screenshot of the one I found on eBay.

[nicklouse]

When I was much younger and run such gauges, this was the Smiths Vacuum gauge I ran;-

 

 

When I was young I ran the TIM one for a while. Found it a bit pointless.

 

1380 286 big carb(s) 

 

the TIM digital rev counter though…… a bit slow.

[Spider]

I no longer run the gauge, though, I do still have it

In the workshop, I do have a big fast acting gauge (a couple of them actually) and for some things, I find them helpful there.

[Rubbershorts]

Thanks guys, I've managed to find the Smiths one with the numbers.

 

When these are fitted and working, presuming everything is functioning as it should, do they automatically land on the idle zone? Or is there some form of fine tune adjustment? And are they engine specific, or one size suits all?

Edited by Rubbershorts, 05 December 2024 - 09:51 AM.

[sonscar]

They read the actual amount of "suck" the engine is using.The named sections are more for show.Steve..

[nicklouse]

Thanks guys, I've managed to find the Smiths one with the numbers.

 

When these are fitted and working, presuming everything is functioning as it should, do they automatically land on the idle zone? Or is there some form of fine tune adjustment? And are they engine specific, or one size suits all?

They don’t show anything other than what vacuum the engine is pulling. More for show than anything else.

[Rubbershorts]

Sorry, just read my question and it didn't make sense. When fitted and all is good, and the car is idling, will the gauge pointer be at idle, or is there some calibration adjustment?

[68+86auto]

Sorry, just read my question and it didn't make sense. When fitted and all is good, and the car is idling, will the gauge pointer be at idle, or is there some calibration adjustment?

 

There is no adjustment. Just make sure it's connected to manifold vacuum not ported.

[Rubbershorts]

 

Sorry, just read my question and it didn't make sense. When fitted and all is good, and the car is idling, will the gauge pointer be at idle, or is there some calibration adjustment?

 

There is no adjustment. Just make sure it's connected to manifold vacuum not ported.

 

Cheers Auto.

[gazza82]

The idea was to use these to improve mpg.

The better the 'suck' the smaller the throttle opening .. so helped feathering the throttle pedal.



Lead boots need not apply! ;)

[Rubbershorts]

The idea was to use these to improve mpg.

The better the 'suck' the smaller the throttle opening .. so helped feathering the throttle pedal.



Lead boots need not apply! ;)

My feet go numb after a few miles with our vibrating floor. Sounds like this guage is exactly what I need then

[Spider]

The gauge itself should already be calibrated and ready to go.

The 90⁰ sweep ' Fuel Economy' gauge is dampened and slow reading. For engine diagnosis and tuning, it's pretty much useless.

 

The 270⁰ gauge is fast acting. While I hardly used the fitted gauge for diagnosis, it certainly can be used for that.

I do have a similar chart, this is one I've grabbed from the web;-