im converting my stock 65 gauge cluster over to the 5 gauge cluster. i want to put autometer gauges behind the cluster. my motor is a modern roller block 302. should i get electronic gauges or mechanical?

 

Depends on the system. but if you want exact numbers in real time then mechanical is the way to go...unless its for voltage or temps...Really your going to have a mix of electric and mechanical gauges if you want the best performance.

Im running mech fuel pressure and oil pressure

water temp and volts arent really something a mech gauge can deal with.

-Gun

 

what about the fuel sending unit?

 

Thats gotta be electric...Think about it can you think of any way that would allow you to accurately measure fuel volume without using electricity? Tie a string to a fish bobber and then run it to a spring loaded needle that is pulled against the spring tension by the bobber? it might work unless you move the and then slosh the fuel around...its just not as practical as an electric setup as far as i can see.

Mechanical gauges really shine for reading pressures. they dont work well for heat because they would have to be close to (or in ) the heat source (im thinking like bi-metallic strip here) so unless your measuring a pressure of some type you are probably better off electric.

Did you actually find a mechanical fuel gauge (for reading volume) if so i gotta see this send me the link.

-Gun

 

Their is a lag of a couple of minutes with the temp gauges. On my track car I have both, the mechanical is a few minutes slower. I would'nt bring fuel into the drivers compartment (use a remote).

 

Not true, Gun Jam. Mechanical temp gauges simply use a flexible tube full of mercury (or some other unknown fluid) that runs from the gauge all the way to the sender. It's basically areally long thermometer. I've got a mechanical temp gauge and it works great.

 

Starfury

Interesting I have never heard of those

I see autogauge has them. I remember looking for something like that a while back and never found any so i figured they didnt make em.

Good find

-Gun

 

Mechanical temperature gauges are slower, mine takesa couple ofminutes to catch up with the electronic. The mechanical pressure gauges seems to be instant.

 

All temp gauges, electric or mechanical,are going to delay a little as it takes some time to heat the element. Usually you don't get drastic temp changes though, as it takes a while for all that liquid to heat or cool, so it's not really an issue.