I recently purchased mechanical Autometer oil and temp gauges but haven't installed them yet in my 69 Chevelle. How difficult are these gauges to install? I'm not too enthused about drilling a 3/8" hole in my firewall to run the temp gauge probe. Would I be better off purchasing electrical gauges instead?

Thank you

I would say NO on the elect. gauges, stay with mechanical. there should be a pre-drilled hole in the firewall just behind and wiper motor. The hardest part of the installation is installing the brass fitting and line to the block (BB engine) for the oil pressure gauge.

How difficult is it to install the oil pressure line on a small block?

Its on top behind the intake, pretty simple.

I think he was teasing you on the hardest part thing.....Its all pretty simple!

Pretty basic. If you want to keep your Oil dash light, you need a brass pipe tee and a pipe nipple that is tall enough to allow the tee to thread onto the nipple. Too short of a nipple, the tee will hit the back of the manifold. Look around, some hardware or plumbing stores will stock cast tees, which function fine. Others will have a machined tee, which looks a little better under the hood.

The temp line can't be tee'd, it needs to be in the coolant flow. You can read the coolant temp in the intake manifold passage or in the head. Some guys will tell you the best place to read temp is in the manifold. If you are limited on ports to install the sender, you can get a water neck with a boss for a coolant sensor.

Why do you recommend the mechanical gauges over electronic?

Why do you recommend the mechanical gauges over electronic?

Its all personal preference. There is no difference between electrical and mechanical gauges. That is if you use quality equipment to start with.

I used Stewart Warner gauges since the early 70's and as far as accuracy between the two there is no difference. If I was to use an after market gauge I prefer electrical.

There is nothing like the thrill of an oil line cracking and breaking in/under the dash and pumping 200 deg oil at 60psi all over your carpet. thats the risk with mechanical.


Rocky