Gauges

[Taylorman]

Im looking at a new set of gauges and wondering what kind. Is mechanical oil and fuel pressure gauges better than electric? For mechanical, i assume an oil and fuel line is run from the engine pressure ports to the gauges right? The gauges i have now are 2 1/16. Is there any advantage to getting 2 5/8 gauges?

[sleekcrafter]

Im looking at a new set of gauges and wondering what kind. Is mechanical oil and fuel pressure gauges better than electric? For mechanical, i assume an oil and fuel line is run from the engine pressure ports to the gauges right? The gauges i have now are 2 1/16. Is there any advantage to getting 2 5/8 gauges?
There is nothing wrong with a GOOD set of electronic guages, mechanical Fuel presure, I would only consider right off the carb fuel log. Mechinical oil pressure, could make a real mess if a line were to rupture. 2 5/8 guages look cool, but don't look so hot in a crowded dash layout.
Sleek

[flat broke]

Taylorman,
If your dash is cut for 2 1/16 gauges, keep it that way. Trying to fit 2 5/8 gauges in there will probably result in some kludging of some sort to make everything fit.
As already stated, GOOD electric gauges with the appropriate sender are just as reliable as their mechanical counterparts. Back in the early days of electric gauges vibration etc would beat the crap out of em, and cause problems. Additionally, a lot of the V'drive guys don't run alternators, and use magnetos. Because of this, they only use the battery to start the engine. In that configuration, electric gauges wouldn't be the hot setup, so they continue to run mechanical ones. With any good set of gauges available today, I wouldn't see a problem with electric gauges.
That being said, I run a mechanical oil pressure gauge; but that's more superstition than anything else. :D If you decide to go mechanical on the oil pressure, hit up Superdave for some fittings and -3 or -4 braided to run from the block to the dash. That cheap white vinyl tubing that is included is an accident/hot oil bath waiting to happen.
What make/model gauges are you looking into? If you're looking for a budget set, the Beede gauges you can get in kit form at Rex are a pretty light hit on the wallet for a reliable gauge. But if you're going to step up from those, I'd go straight to the Autometers.
Chris

[Taylorman]

THis is what im looking at http://shopping.rexmar.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=ProCompMarineUL2

[Konabud]

Taylorman check your PM's

[Devilman]

Mechanical gauges on mine. I'll put some money to some quality elect. gauges in the future, but for now, fuel pressure gauge is right up by the pressure regulator. Oil pressure gauge is right on the engine. With a quick glance back, I can see both of them in an instant. Mechanical water temp gauge is run up by the driver seat. When I get the electric gauges, I'll still keep the mechanical gauges in there. :cool: Hell, the only electric gauges that still work, is the amp gauge & the gas gauge...

[Taylorman]

So Auto Meter marine gauges are good quality? I have Teleflex now and my oil pressure gauge quite working for the second time.

[flat broke]

So Auto Meter marine gauges are good quality? I have Teleflex now and my oil pressure gauge quite working for the second time.
Even Beede gauges would be an improvement over the Teleflex deals. A lot of the "entry level" gauges with the manufacturer's logo screened on the face that you see on new west coast custom boats are Beedes. Autometers would be a step up from there.
If you're gonna buy the Autometer marine gauges, your best bet is Rex. They stock all of the marine lines and you already know how most folks feel about the service that Mike's crew provides.
Chris

[Taylorman]

Even Beede gauges would be an improvement over the Teleflex deals. A lot of the "entry level" gauges with the manufacturer's logo screened on the face that you see on new west coast custom boats are Beedes. Autometers would be a step up from there.
If you're gonna buy the Autometer marine gauges, your best bet is Rex. They stock all of the marine lines and you already know how most folks feel about the service that Mike's crew provides.
Chris
Thanks Chris, i ordered them from Rex. Thanks for the advice. Glad you talked me out of the 2 5/8" work.
On mechanical gauges, do you have to bleed the line. How does the fluid get all the way up the line and replace the air in the line?
Kevin

[flat broke]

Kevin,
I've never bled any of my water pressure or oil pressure gauges, and the oil pressure guage tracked right where the dyno said the oil pressure was at. When you think about it, every time you shut the motor off, the line would loose it's prime as the gauge sits higher than where you are pulling oil or water pressure readings from off the motor anyhow.
Chris

[Rexone]

No need to bleed the lines, pressure is pressure, the gauge doesn't care if it's air or oil as far as the reading.
Thanx TM & Chris. :)

[Taylorman]

No need to bleed the lines, pressure is pressure, the gauge doesn't care if it's air or oil as far as the reading.
Thanx TM & Chris. :)
Well thank you sir, you have an order from me for 3 gauges.

[olbiezer]

taylorman ...i put auto meter gages like yours in the biesemeyer when i redid it.....worked great and look bitchen......also have a 5in autometer tach in my barron sprint.......never let me down yet....

[robk]

I did all Autometer Silver Pro-Comp Ultralight Marine in my boat... They look great and didn't cost an arm and a leg... Work great....
Rob

[ITLLFLI]

Have any of you tried these?
http://www.sscompetition.com/
I put a pair in my brothers Checkmate. They worked great and and look cool also! I will probably use them in my Sanger also! The prices are great!

[sleekcrafter]

Have any of you tried these?
http://www.sscompetition.com/
I put a pair in my brothers Checkmate. They worked great and and look cool also! I will probably use them in my Sanger also! The prices are great!
Wow the bottom just fell out of the marine guage market :rolleyes:
Sleek

[Taylorman]

I did all Autometer Silver Pro-Comp Ultralight Marine in my boat... They look great and didn't cost an arm and a leg... Work great....
Rob
You got a picture of them in your boat?

[ITLLFLI]

Wow the bottom just fell out of the marine guage market :rolleyes:
Sleek
I think he sells them direct...no middleman...........

[robk]

You got a picture of them in your boat?
http://69.169.54.32:6969/gauges.jpg
Rob

[olbiezer]

these are all auto meter gages
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1789P1120010.JPG

[sanger rat]

Mine. http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/1937WvNMz15Uek41yDs_rU93LiadQGLHwjEV0280.jpg

[bakerjet]

here's a pic of my hardin marine gauges, electronic and they work great.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v695/doghog/000_0174.jpg

[Taylorman]

What type of terminals are on the back of Auto Meter gauges? Are they ring terminals or bare wire coming out of the gauge?

[flat broke]

The autometers use brass stud terminals for all connections except the lighting. The lighting is usually a pigtail off the bulb.
Chris

[wet77]

http://www.***boat.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=11364&stc=1 autometer marine from REX works great.

[Taylorman]

I got my gauges in today. I bought the Autometer Nylon tubing kit for the mechanical gauges. Whats the opinion on using this nylon tubing for oil pressure and water pressure gauges. I also have a fuel pressure gauge but i think im gonna use braided teflon hose with crimp on fittings for that gauge. Is the nylon tubing ok for oil and water pressure or should i do braided for all gauges?

[Taylorman]

Anyone?

[396_WAYS_TO_SPIT]

Here are my "low Budget" beede guages. They work well and look good. They are $20 per guage and $50 for the tach.....
http://www2.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/239side.jpg
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/521/239wheelz1.jpg

[Rexone]

I got my gauges in today. I bought the Autometer Nylon tubing kit for the mechanical gauges. Whats the opinion on using this nylon tubing for oil pressure and water pressure gauges. I also have a fuel pressure gauge but i think im gonna use braided teflon hose with crimp on fittings for that gauge. Is the nylon tubing ok for oil and water pressure or should i do braided for all gauges?
The nylon is fine IF... it doesn't get sqeezed or abraded by rigging hardware, bracketry, etc. If it does you will have no or low readings and/or oil / water leak... I've used it before but am very aware and careful where and how it's routed when doing so as not to pinch or put the line in a situation where it could be pinched or broken (protected routing). Would I use it, yes in a pinch, but would normally opt for the rubber hose below just so as not to worry about it.
A step up would be to use rubber push loc low pressure hose (250 lb is considered low pressure in this case), or another step up as you're doing for fuel, braided hose (excellent call btw on the fuel hose). I would NEVER use the nylon on a fuel pressure application under any circumstance, not worth the risk there.
We should have all the fittings hose you will need for any of the above options, just give a call if you need assistance.

[Taylorman]

So what size braided line should i use Mike, -2AN?

[flat broke]

Kevin,
Most AN fitting pricing is actually cheaper to run -4 than smaller sizes. Typically you will have a hard time finding -3 fittings, hose etc for all your needs in a one stop shop type scenario. I use -4 on my water pressure and oil pressure and haven't had any issues.
When shopping for braided, my first stop is always HERE (http://www.sweetperformance.com/)
Hope that helps,
Chris

[Taylorman]

Well that was an expensive idea i had. I went to the Parker store yesterday and ordered stainless fittings and ss braided teflon hose with stainless crimp on end for my 3 mechanical pressure gauges. I starting thinking about the price on my drive to pick it up. Anyone wanna guess how much i spent on that? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the clear $7.00 tubing is just not good enough.

[Devilman]

Well that was an expensive idea i had. I went to the Parker store yesterday and ordered stainless fittings and ss braided teflon hose with stainless crimp on end for my 3 mechanical pressure gauges. I starting thinking about the price on my drive to pick it up. Anyone wanna guess how much i spent on that? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, the clear $7.00 tubing is just not good enough.
On the drive or the parts?

[Taylorman]

On the drive or the parts?
The parts.

[flat broke]

I'm guessing you probably got rolled for around $80-120/hose if you had em made long enough to rig up the side of the boat out of sight etc. If I'm right, next time call Superdave.
Chris

[FLEA DIDDY]

Lol, WHATEVER you do don't get a AUTOMETER gauge that's a clock. These guys will never let you live it down. Ask me how I know. :) lol

[spectras only]

Taylorman , I used nylon tubing for both ,water and oil pressure no prob. As Mike mentioned ,make sure not to kink it or bend it too sharp. Here are the Autometer gauges that we got from Rex .
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/IMG_1769.JPG
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/IMG_1778.JPG