Autometer OilPress gauge - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Flashmn · 06-03-2002, 09:15 AM

Aaah, just returned from a month long vacation in Europe and I got my hands on a metrical autometer oil pressure gauge which I was trying to find for a long time. It's a mechanical one cuz they're more accurate. Now heres the question, how would one go about to plugging it in? I mean the block isnt NPT threaded where I could just T- the gauge and sender lines, right? Plus the "straw" that came with the gauge is really weak looking, would you use somethign instead of that, for example a brakeline brasstube, etc? any ideas how to proceed with the installation?

ADent55 · 06-03-2002, 09:39 PM

I haven't messed with a mechanical oil guage since my '74 Lotus Europa, when I put a Stewart-Warner unit in (the stock Smith's guages were a joke), but my guess would be a metric tee off of the site where the electrical idiot light guage would be the best place -that way you can keep the idiot light, too. Since you'd be running a compression fitting onto the pressure tube, it won't care whether it's metric or SAE. I agree the plastic tube looks flimsy,and you'd think the thing would melt from the hot oil, but mine worked like a charm and so should yours so long as you don't have a kink (fold) in the line. And heaven help you if the fittings come loose (hot 10W-40 at 50+ psi will put you in a REAL bad mood), but mine never came out unless I told it to. Running brake lines is not only overkill in size, a hard line like that is asking for trouble from a vibration standpoint. Good luck!

88 LE · 06-04-2002, 04:01 AM

You could run a tap into the head. Something like 1/8" NPT.

Or you could try and find the right fittings and adapters to make everything work.

As for the lines I wouldn't use hardline (metal tubing). I suggest stainless steel braided lines.

Flashmn · 06-04-2002, 09:17 AM

Well... I'll figure something out before I install it, I'm not gonna hurry with it, I'll do it when I start my engine mods now that I know I'm taking my car back to europe after I finish my stuff over here :wink:

Yeah, the guy in the shop suggested a braided line just to be safe, I'll se if I can find a place which sells hydraulic parts, get some hydraulic hose from there, should work just fine :smile:

goodcookiedrift · 06-04-2002, 11:01 AM

you can actually get the npt fitting from autometer so that it fits japanese vehicles.

i had to get one for my water temp.

Nick

Flashmn · 06-04-2002, 03:21 PM

Can I get it from a pipe shop?

88 LE · 06-04-2002, 09:54 PM

Quote:

On 2002-06-04 16:21, Flashmn wrote:
Can I get it from a pipe shop?

I don't know if pipe shops have metric stuff or not.

You need to know the size and the thread pitch.

Iceman · 06-05-2002, 08:31 PM

The plastic tubing supplied by the manufacturer is the correct pipe to use. Anything else is a waste of money. The pipe supplied is used daily on purpose built racing cars and fails very rarely. Keep It Simple.

Flashmn · 06-06-2002, 03:21 AM

Well, to be honest, it seems to be a bit short, I'm still wondering on using copper tubing, some use that and you just make loops at both ends to have it "flex" to relieve stress... wouldnt cost that much either...

88 LE · 06-06-2002, 10:04 AM

If you use hardline (metal tubing) you need to flare out the ends, which means you need a flaring tool.

By the time you buy a flaring tool, the fittings, and the tubing you might as well buy stainless steel braided hose and AN fittings.

I suggest that you use stainless steel braided hose and AN fittings. Its pricey, but your not gonna find anything else better then AN stuff.

Flashmn · 06-06-2002, 03:29 PM

Hmm, yeah I know thats a good choice and thats the choice I'd like, BUT I dont know where I could get braided hose... Plus then I need a gauge pod or a cup to install it to. On the otherhand, I've thought about getting another dash frame to mod and to install the oilpress and few other gauges there and switching the radio position down beneath the AC controls.

88 LE · 06-07-2002, 02:55 AM

Quote:

On 2002-06-06 16:29, Flashmn wrote:
Hmm, yeah I know thats a good choice and thats the choice I'd like, BUT I dont know where I could get braided hose...

Check with some of your local car performance shops.

Summit Racing (mail order company) carries stainless steel braided hose and AN fittings (Aeroquip and Earls).

Flashmn · 06-14-2002, 05:29 AM

Ok, its wired with thin copper hose. should last longer than that silly autometer straw. Still gotta wire the light.

88 LE · 06-14-2002, 11:44 AM

Quote:

On 2002-06-14 06:29, Flashmn wrote:
Ok, its wired with thin copper hose.

Cool.

Quote:

should last longer than that silly autometer straw.

Yeah the hose included with their guages is useless.

1. Its not long enough.
2. Its small and looks flimsy.

When I installed my boost guage I got a 1/8" NPT to barb fitting and used a vucumm hose. The hell with that little hose they give you. :grin:

Flashmn · 06-14-2002, 11:58 AM

Heh, I still gotta buy a gauge pod too ;P right now I got it on the dash with some putty (hehe, playdoh rulz)... had to do some custom plumbing at the block, but it seems to work now, plus I got the idiotlight attached aswell. its really neat, gonna see if I can meet up with a pal of mine tom. to find the gaugepod...and maybe something else.. :wink: