Im going to be attempting to install my Oil Pressure gauge tomorrow, just wondering can i take the brass fitting that came in the box w/ the gauge and just screw that into the side of the head and connect the other end to the Gauge or do i need a sending unit, and if so was my gauge supposed to come with one? Its a mechanical Pressure gauge (Autometer Cobalt Series). A friend of mine has a 93 mustang whose gauge is set up like that and his works perfectly fine but obviously there not the same cars, so dont wana mess anything up

 

Mechanical gauges don't need a sending unit. That's why they are mechanical.

Just make sure you don't kink the line...

 

Ok i didnt think so but i was looking at a how to for the gauge and im pretty sure the guy was using a mechanical one and he used a sending unit, thats why i was so confused

 

The whole point of it being mechanical is that it gets direct information in the way of being "inline" with what it is monitoring. Take oil pressure for instance. You tap into, generally, where the factory pressure sensor is and run the line to the gauge. The oil itself goes to the gauge in the same way that it does to the factory sensor. This is how the gauge reads the pressure.

With an electrical gauge, you simply hook up the sending unit which in turn interprets the pressure into an electrical signal that is sent to your gauge.

Mechanical gauges are generally a bit more accurate, but at the same time, a bit more of a PITA to install everything (or uninstall if you have to).

 

So with a mechanical gauge can i still install it on the side of the head or do i have to install it where the stock unit is? When i bought the car i noticed a golden object sticking off the side of the head, come to find out its a sending unit for an Electric Gauge and i dont have the stock screw that goes there.

 

Hmmm. It has been awhile since I have seen a 2.4L engine.

I *think* on the 2.4L engines, you can install on the side of the head. If not, you'll need to tee with your factory sensor. I'm sure someone else can help a bit more with the first part though.

 

Did you get this figured out?

 

Yes i did, works good. Thanks for all your input

 

Cool, just wanted to check in and make sure!

 

Thanks