Mechanical Oil Pressure Gauge Modification Idea

Ron

Ron

Dum Spiro Spero
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Apr 16, 2005
Location
Sharon, SC
In the interest of having as few electrical connections as possible Im runnign all mechnial sender gauges (engine and tranny temp and oil pressure)

The temp senders kind of are what they are, but through a few modifications and repositions I have now crimped/kinked and destroyed my third copper tube for oil pressure...and frankly I hate working with the damn finnicky brass compression fittings. So I was talking to a vendor today that for around $45 can make me a 10' Braided and Coated Stainless Steel line with the correct ends an fittings.

Thinking if we use reinfroced hose like a brake line we will have minimal expansion and hence pressure drop.

Seems like it would make a much easier and durable R&R set up (as frequently as Im swapping trannys these days I need it.) And while leaks are minor with the compression fittings this should effectively eliminate them.

So...
1) Anyone esle tried it?
2) Any other thoughts/ideas or concerns to look out for?
 
I've used a stainless braided linein the past. I was just too time constrained and cheap to do it on the buggy..

support the line often. the added weight can stress the housing of the gauge
 
Yeah, just order -3 braided stainless line from speedway motors and then adapt it to whatever thread your gauge uses--probably 1/8 npt. Unless you're using cheap gauges with a compression fitting built in instead of NPT, it should be easy and cheap.

:edit: Technically, there should be an isolator too though.
 
Ever use the black plastic line with quick connects? I think the black line is rated for petroleum, heat, and higher pressure. I've got in on my tractor and it works great. Of course, I'd make damn sure it's protected and couldn't chafe.

Come to think of it, it's used on a lot of air compressors too. It goes from the pressure cutoff switch to the top of the tank.
 
braxton357 said:
Yeah, just order -3 braided stainless line from speedway motors and then adapt it to whatever thread your gauge uses--probably 1/8 npt. Unless you're using cheap gauges with a compression fitting built in instead of NPT, it should be easy and cheap.

:edit: Technically, there should be an isolator too though.
Click to expand...

They're autometer pro comps, pretty sure they are 1/8" npt. But I'll double check. The SMS sound pretty easy, but I think Im going to let Kevin make this one since he said he put the right ends on it and I wont need any fittings...one less thing to leak
Thanks for the feedback.
 
Nah I was at the hose shop getting oh i dont know...900' of braided stainless high pressure line made.
And while the guys were crimping 48 ends on....I asked a question and ran with it. Some googling looks like its a pretty common idead and Summitt even sells a kit with some cheap braid, a bunch of fittings and a one size fits all approach for $60...

If this turns out like I hope I may see if there is interest out there
 
i certainly would have some inteterest on that, i really like that idea!!

scared to death!!!!!
 
Been using stainless braided line for gauge line for years. Just about every stock car I ever worked on used -3 AN line. (And for you weight conscious there is the Kevlar braided line too!) I even used -3 braided on my old yellow Jeep with the F-head!

They make a fitting called a "gauge fitting" that adapts most gauges to an -3 AN. 'Bout any race shop should know what you need.
 
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