fordguy17

i need some good gauges in my car, and was wondering what to get: mechanical or electric? i plan on running water temp, oil press., and a volt meter.

these gauges will be going in my daily driver, and i need it to be safe. so my question is: can i run mechanical oil and water temp. gauges into my cab safely? what if i used heavy duty steel braided hose? (mechanical gauges are also cheaper as a bonus)

thanks.

fats429

a meachnal temp gauge don't use engin collant into the cab . it uses a meatle rod thinggie , the oil does . If you go auto meater oil gauge they have a copper line to replace the plastic line that it comes with the gague

Auto meater also has a gague cluster to replace the stock one in the car

fordguy17

ahh, ok. so both water and oil gauges use metal rods thingies? it won't let me post links right now but go to summitracing.com and in the search box write ATM-2324. what do you think of those? thanks.

fats429

no just the water theoil puts oil into the cab but it is safe

fordguy17

cool. so what do you think of that gauge cluster kit? seems like a good deal to me...

fats429

they look great but you will need one more gague . I would get air fuel ratio

birdman076

The water gauge uses a metal tube with a liquid in it but its not engine coolant. And the oil guage uses either nylon, copper, or steel braided tubing. I have used the nylon and copper and have had no problems with either one. I personally like a volt gauge for the last gauge but hey to each his/her own. You could also run an oil temp gauge or a tranny temp gauge if you have an automatic.

roundman

I used the mechanical oil pressure gauge and used the Autometer SS braided hose line to hook it up rather than the plastic tubing that comes with the gauge. I've also got the mechanical water temperature gauge but wouldn't recommend it to you as the small capillary tubing that comes on it is not easy to route up through the dash and if you kink it, it won't work right, so go with an electrical temp gauge IMO. I got the 3 gauge mounting kit that goes into the center AC vent and like the looks of it just fine.

fordguy17

roundman, is it possible to mount a mechanical water temp. gauge on the dash? i really would like to get the kit as it is only 50 dollars, vs. spending 50 dollars a gauge plus the mounting pods...

import slayer

I don't think it hard to route the mechanical water temp gauge. The sensor wire is spiral wrapped to help prevent sharp kinks.
Just run it in a straight line as much as possible from the engine to wherever you mount the gauge.