Christophe2m6

Hi!

Can you please tell me what are the sensors for the red and green arrows in my pic please?

Thanks a lot!
Chris

MDchanic

Red: Water temperature.

Green: Oil pressure.

You need to download a cop of the Chassis Service Manual for free from WildAboutCars, and then buy a paper one from eBay.

Welcome to ClassicOlds!

- Eric

Christophe2m6

Thanks a lot Eric!!

Will add an underdash panel with oil pressure, water temp, fuel level, and voltmeter!

==> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Billet-Alumi...968679&vxp=mtr


Will a 0-90ohm fuel gauge work?
Any tips on how to identify the wire?

Thanks!

oldcutlass

I would install a water temp, oil pressure, and volt meter. I would not duplicate a fuel level gauge. Yes the fuel sensor is a 0-90 ohm.

joe_padavano

FYI, the sending units on your engine are just on/off switches to operate the idiot lights. You'll need to replace them with correct analog senders if you add gauges.

Christophe2m6

Thanks!
I will install a water temp, oil pressure, volt meter and tachmeter!



Thanks Joe! Didn't know it they were switches!
Sending units are included with Autometer gauges, will use them!

oldcutlass

If you are buying the mechanical style gauges, you will remove the stock sensors and install the new parts that come with your kit in their place. Stow the old wiring.

Christophe2m6

Mechanical?
Thought I could go with electrical...?

joe_padavano

Mechanical gauges are one option. Electrical are the other. Mechanical gauges require no electricity to operate (other than for lighting). A mechanical pressure gauge uses a small tube connected to the oil pressure port on the block and reads pressure directly in the gauge by using the oil pressure to expand a curved tube (called a bourdon tube) that is linked to the gauge needle. A mechanical temp gauge uses a capillary tube that goes in the cooling jacket and contains expanding fluid that also operates a bourdon tube in the gauge. Racers like mechanical gauges because they are arguably more reliable. For street use either style is fine.

oldcutlass

Outside of going to a digital dash setup, I like the mechanical gauges for their simplicity and accuracy. How many times do we recommend checking some ones electrical oil pressure issue with a mechanical gauge.

Christophe2m6

Thanks a lot Joe & Eric for all your help and advices!!

Redog

If you go to Home Depot and pick up a 4" brass pipe with male ends, and a "T" fitting with 3 female ends, you can keep the oil light and use the oil gauge too. All the fittings have to be 1/8". They are in the plumbing dept.

Temp gauges dont work that way. The probe will have to be in the water at all times or you'll get funky readings. You will either have to find a different port, or remove the light sensor to install the gauge sensor. Personally I use the port on the back left corner of the manifold. If nothing is there except a plug, you're golden I like that port because it's out of view and the wire/cable is hard to see, unless you are looking for it

Redog

Mech gauges do work very well. I have electrical in the Alero and Mech in the Delta. I did drop $75 on the stainless steel braided line for the oil gauge. I've never had any luck with the nyoln or copper tubing with the ferul nut. My fuse box on the Alero had oil residue in it.

Mr Shifty Sidney

As Redog mentioned with the mechanical guage you will have some sort of tube/line running from the switch on the engine to the guage. This is an additional source for a leak. I have had this line crack on me. Just something to think about when deciding.

Don W

Christophe2m6

Thanks for all replies!!! That's great!

Any chance to get a pic of where it is exactely located??

Thanks a lot!!!!

Btw! made my choice with electrical!

joe_padavano

The problem with the port at the left rear of the intake is that it is somewhat stagnant in terms of coolant flow. The temp sensor needs to be in coolant that is flowing, which is why Olds put it in the water crossover at the front of the intake. This will give you the most accurate temp reading. The port at the rear of the intake will be close as far as accuracy is concerned, but not ideal. If you don't have a choice due to not having other temp ports available, you can use it, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

Christophe2m6

Thanks Joe!!
I think that I'll then remove the light sensor, as I'd like to have the more accurate water temp!

I ordered my electrical gauges yesterday!
I'll go with underdash oil pressure, water temp, voltmeter and tach!
Will post pics once installation done!

Will I have to use an elbow to connect the oil sending unit?
It seems that there is not enough room for an oil pressure sending unit.

Part I'm thinking about:


If yes: do I need some gasket or Teflon?

Thanks again for you help!

oldcutlass

I like to use plumbers thread sealer with Teflon sparingly. Pipe threads are tapered and self sealing.

Octania

Self sealing IF you can turn until tight and leave it. With the elbow above, you have a limited range of perhaps 1/4 circle that is acceptable for final position. I dislike the look of teflon tape, and it is bad for hydraulic systems, so I recommend a very small amount of *** [Form A Gasket] #2- perhaps 2 threads filled at the most. A small ring of sealant will be visible when done.

73aussie455

Will you be able to see the small Tach under the dash well enough to warrant putting one down there?
I'm doing a similar thing but will put the Tach on the steering column. I have had a bad experience with a mechanical oil press gauge, so I would go electrical as well.

Christophe2m6

Would like this Tach to check if everything works fine while idle, so i think that it will be OK with an underdash tach
Don't like the tach on steering column as i really like original dashes and i find that tach on column do not match with classic cars dash

73aussie455

Personal preference I guess, thats cool.
A period tacho in keeping with the era of the car is what most guys here go for, plenty about. You know they did fit aftermarket tach's to their cars back then.
Let's see the pics when you're done,

Christophe2m6

Just a quick post to show you my gauges installed!!

Installed a tach, oil pressure, water temp and voltmeter!
With all these gauges, will have all I need to check engine!!

Will make a build thread to post more pics!!

rustyroger

I'm a bit late I know, but I recommend you keep the idiot lights as well as the gauges.
My reasoning is you will notice an idiot light straight away, you might not be eyeballing the gauges all the time if you are driving in traffic.


Roger.