How can I tell if I have a mechanical stock oil gauge?

[wazzabie]

How can I tell if I have a mechanical stock oil gauge?

1978 K5 Blazer

I would like to get a tach off ebay and install. Hope to do just a bolt in with the cluster.

 

[camiswelding]

look for the line running to the oil pressure sender,,, it has fluid and not electricity flowing thru it

 

[pauly383]

Do you have a copper looking hardline from the back of the engine to the gauge ?

I have a 77 body that had one .

I don't know about 78 , as the 78 Sub in the back yard HAD a tach dash and a sender with a wire on it for oil .

 

[mechted]

there is also a peg visible on the guage face that acts as a zero stop, if no peg, then electric guage

 

[R72K5]

most all 78-up were electric, but who knows whats in it now,

just look behind distributor to see if theres a tube or a wire plugged on

 

[wazzabie]

It is electric. How hard is it to change to mechanical? What are the advantages/ disadvantages of using the mechanical?

 

[jhellwig]

It isn't hard. All you have to do is run the hard line. Electric gauges have more of a tendancy to shoot craps. The only thing with a mechanical gauge is if the supply line breaks in the cab.

 

[Emmettology 101]

To change to mechanical, all you need to do is get a mechanical gauge and swap the sensor to a mechanical sensor/fitting. Pretty easy....

Only drawback that I see is the oil line running to the cab... Mine liked to leak a little here and there.