Analog Mechanical or Analog Electrical Autometer Gauge???

[handloader90]

I need a new Oil Pressure Gauge. It will be going in a '76 K10.

The sender is just one that screws into the intake near the dizzy.

I'm guessing it is mechanical, but want to make sure before I order.

Also, could someone recommend to me the proper sending unit?

 

[handloader90]

I think I found the answer... Electrical.

Electrical uses a sensor/ sender.

Mechanical uses some sort of tubing.

 

[muddysub]

yep, electrical. mechanical oil pressure gauges run a copper tube all the way to the gauge, i'd hate to see that leak...

 

[4X4HIGH]

While mechanical gauges are more accurate, electric gauges are easier to install. I wouldn't hesitate to run either if you're going with Autometer though. Also the gauge will come with the required sender.

 

[diesel4me]

Mechanical one wont leak if you use the right tubing--I use either 1/8" copper or get a 1/8 NPT thread to 3/16" brake flare fitting adapter and use steel brake tubing..coil it up like a spring near the firewall so it'll have some flex to prevent cracking from motor movement and vibration like GM did,it'll work fine..

 

[ion]

Since gauges are my forte here, let me chime in.


Analog mechanical gauges while they have been around forever, they are old technology. You wouldn't want your old windows 95 computer from way back in the day so why do the same with your motor and gauges. afterall your motor is worth a lot more than the cost of an electrical gauge.

Electric analog gauges have been around for a long time as well, and while they had a bad rap back in the 70's and 80's, since then the quality of the sensors and stepper motors are superior to almost anything out there today.

Another plus to an electric gauge is, no ht oil over your leg, now people say do this or do that to get a mechanical to not leak, well to be honest, none of that crap works in an off road or truck like we run here. they will leak at one point or another.

the electric sending units have become so advanced that they will actually read quicker and more accurate than a mechanical gauge as well. think about it, the oil has to go from the engine block output into a copper or nylon tube and be routed through a firewall, a mess of wiring, and other things such as heater cables, ducting etc. The electric sensor is just that a sensor on the motor, run one wire and boom it's done.