what gauges do u have?
#41
11-21-2011 | 03:01 AM
Champion
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 8
From: NorCal
It's a long list, but right off the top of my head: Burnt valves, weak valve springs, sticky valves, worn valve guides, bad valve stem seals, leaking piston rings (or really worn out motor oil), ignition problems, restricted exhaust system, sloppy timing chain... the list goes on. It's well worth having and learning to proficiently use a vacuum gauge, alongside a tachometer, and in conjunction with a compression tester. You can discover a lot about what's going on from the pistons upward in an engine with just those few cheap tools.
Even if you don't learn all about vacuum testing and results interpretation right away, if you have a gauge permanently connected and become accustomed to what's normal for your engine you can spot not-normal even before you get enough seat of the pants feel to become concerned.
Check this out for a quick introduction with cool animated GIF's.
Even if you don't learn all about vacuum testing and results interpretation right away, if you have a gauge permanently connected and become accustomed to what's normal for your engine you can spot not-normal even before you get enough seat of the pants feel to become concerned.
Check this out for a quick introduction with cool animated GIF's.
Right now mine's connected to the inside of the package it came in. 
I haven't had the opportunity to install it as it's waiting for the dash/heater core job. As long as I'm going to have the dash out anyway it seems the ideal time to plumb all six add-on gauges and do a nice neat proficient job of it.
When it goes in I'm going to make use of an unused/plug port on the intake manifold. There's one just below and in front of the port that sucks on the brake booster that's just sucking a plug now.
I'm feeling low tech and poor being without one since buying the truck. Every vehicle I've owned for the past 20 years has been 4WD and sporting a vacuum gauge, e-fan(s), and a few other goodies that I always add. Prior to that, every vehicle I owned and liked had a vacuum gauge in it. With an automatic transmission I don't mind being without a tachometer, but without a vacuum gauge? That's just plain damned hillbilly 5h17.
I haven't had the opportunity to install it as it's waiting for the dash/heater core job. As long as I'm going to have the dash out anyway it seems the ideal time to plumb all six add-on gauges and do a nice neat proficient job of it.When it goes in I'm going to make use of an unused/plug port on the intake manifold. There's one just below and in front of the port that sucks on the brake booster that's just sucking a plug now.
I'm feeling low tech and poor being without one since buying the truck. Every vehicle I've owned for the past 20 years has been 4WD and sporting a vacuum gauge, e-fan(s), and a few other goodies that I always add. Prior to that, every vehicle I owned and liked had a vacuum gauge in it. With an automatic transmission I don't mind being without a tachometer, but without a vacuum gauge? That's just plain damned hillbilly 5h17.
All the followon posts are great info too!
#42
11-22-2011 | 04:01 PM
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Ive also seen dual and triple pods for above the rearview mirror.
That would be 10 gauges altogether!
Your interior would look somewhat like a jet fighter!
#45
11-22-2011 | 10:52 PM
Champion
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 3,891
Likes: 8
From: NorCal
Mine are (purchased, not yet installed) two diff temps and trans temp in the dash pod, fuel pressure, manifold vacuum, and tachometer in the pillar pod. My truck's a base model so it has a big gas gauge instead of a tach in the instrument cluster.
The diff temp gauges are superfluous unless you're really working the truck hard with lots of weight in the bed or in a trailer or do stream crossings that result in water in the diffs.
The diff temp gauges are superfluous unless you're really working the truck hard with lots of weight in the bed or in a trailer or do stream crossings that result in water in the diffs.
I was thinking the Autometer C2 gauges for vacuum, trans temp, and a/f mix. (full digital sweep kind?)
What you think or suggest otherwise?
My thought was the simple 3 pod A-pillar. I have the infinity speaker there. Found a site with them but can't recall atm. Was like $15 or something.
#46
11-23-2011 | 07:28 AM
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5,011
Likes: 6
From: Meeker, CO
Auto Meter Z Series. I like black face gauges, and when I get after the interior I'm going for all black -- seats, headliner, etc. The trans and diff temps are short sweep, the other three are full sweep.
Live like you want to live, man. As long as the gauges are accurate and you can see them, it's all good.
Myself, I like to keep the gauges I want most to see while driving located where I can see them easily while keeping traffic in view, so my trans/diff gauges are going in the dash pod and the others which are not so important are going in the pillar pod. I figure that if I have reason to sweat drivetrain temps I'm going to be nervous enough already that I don't want to pull my focus back to the pillar and risk that my fender will find the idiot lane changer before my eyes do.
I was out rodding around with a buddy of mine in his '63 Chevy shortbed stepside one day long ago, racing a Chevelle SS and winning, when all of a sudden his barely broken in, nicely built engine started loading up. He looked puzzled, said, "Why's it loading up?". I asked how the oil pressure was, and he had to move his key fob out of the way to see it. Zero. Oops. After we repaired the oil pump the first thing we did was to move that gauge. They don't count if you can't see them!
Live like you want to live, man. As long as the gauges are accurate and you can see them, it's all good.
Myself, I like to keep the gauges I want most to see while driving located where I can see them easily while keeping traffic in view, so my trans/diff gauges are going in the dash pod and the others which are not so important are going in the pillar pod. I figure that if I have reason to sweat drivetrain temps I'm going to be nervous enough already that I don't want to pull my focus back to the pillar and risk that my fender will find the idiot lane changer before my eyes do.
I was out rodding around with a buddy of mine in his '63 Chevy shortbed stepside one day long ago, racing a Chevelle SS and winning, when all of a sudden his barely broken in, nicely built engine started loading up. He looked puzzled, said, "Why's it loading up?". I asked how the oil pressure was, and he had to move his key fob out of the way to see it. Zero. Oops. After we repaired the oil pump the first thing we did was to move that gauge. They don't count if you can't see them!
Last edited by UnregisteredUser; 11-23-2011 at 07:32 AM.