How to add a permanent oil pressure gauge

[HKusp]

I am looking to add a mechanical oil pressure gauge. I don't have the premium trim on my '18 GT so all I currently have is the oil pressure in the dash information system that is basically a glorified idiot light. It only gives low or normal. I am having an issue with low oil pressure occasionally and I need to see if it's mechanical or if it is a problem with the oil sending unit or bypass, plus, I really would like to have the mechanical gauge in the car. Any idea where to install the mechanical sending unit without using the port for the stock sending unit?

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[Buldawg76]

When you say mechanical do you mean as in actual pressure line from oil pickup port that your pressure sensor is in now that goes to a bourdon tube type mechanical gauge or one that uses an electrical sending unit with wires to an electronic type of gauge.

If it's the latter, then you can use this adapter that will still allow the original sensor to remain in place along with the new sending unit for the electronic gauge.

GlowShift | Oil Sensor Thread Adapter for Ford Mustang GT & F-150 5.0L Coyote (glowshiftdirect.com)

They also have numerous styles and types of gauges available as well.

BD

 

[Johnny Rockit]

Whatever you do, if the new gauge has an 1/8" oil line, be sure to get the copper upgrade kit and toss the nylon. Also, make sure to run the line through a rubber grommet. Nothing sucks like hot oil spraying on your legs etc.

 

[Timbuck]

When I did my new engine I didn’t want to rely on the factory 2017 oil pressure. You’re either normal or fucked. Haha.

I just did a similar digital set up on pressure and temp using brass fittings. Factory is in the end and both the other sensors tee off the side.
i ran cables through the deleted sound tube hole in the fire wall. Ran the wires through a siliconed in 25mm plug.

The only thing I stuffed up was getting voltage from light assembly. When I put left blinker on the colour change on the displays due to slight change in voltage.
so now they flash red blue like to cops when blinker is on Hahaha.

I like watching the differences in oil pressure , as temp changes from day to day or when you’re pushing it hard through the mountains etc how hot and thin oil gets. It really is a lesson in why oil cooling for say , track stuff is very important.

 

[Cheatham]

I did a mechanical on my 19, I ordered the 2 5/8 gauge from jegs which had the standard adapters, I also had to order the metric Tee that has the 1/8 fitting for the mechanical gauge and the metric port to reattach the factory sensor, have to remove the alternator to get to it and it’s a little work but not bad at all to do

 

[Cheatham]

Lethal performance has the adapter which you will need.

 

[5doorsoffury]

i did a really cheap mechanical one during diagnosis on my last car then when i was done i did digital. a line with oil in the cab is a hard stop. not to mention it could drain the oil if it goes unnoticed. the nice thing about a mechanical it will show you preasure transients that a electronic gauge would be to slow to show or averages them out for a smooth sweep. it helped me find a cam journal mid self destruct.

 

[sk47]

Nothing sucks like hot oil spraying on your legs etc.

Hello; back in the 1960's took a ride in an Austin Healey bug eye Sprite with a guy. Soon enough had hot oil on my leg. His mechanical gauge had a tiny leak.

 

[HKusp]

When I wrote this last night, I was a little distracted, so I apologize for not being more clear. Yes, I meant actual mechanical gauge with plumbing into the passenger compartment. That being said, I MAY only do that temporarily, and once the issue is ironed out, I probably will go with an adapter off the factory sending location with an electronic gauge for the permanent gauge. Thanks for the input everyone. Now to find a good location for the gauge mounting....

 

[Buldawg76]

Like stated above be sure to use the copper tubing for the line not the cheap nylon tubing.

BD

 

[mookieit]

To get as close as possible to OEM, I had got the oil sandwich adapter , gauges and gauge trim bracket from GlowShift.

Then got a PP dash trim to place the gauges.

 

[SBR70.3]

Whqtwvwr you do, if the new gauge has an 1/8" oil line, be sure to get the copper upgrade kit and toss the nylon. Also, make sure to run the line through a rubber grommet. Nothing sucks like hot oil spraying on your legs etc.

Do you know this from personal experience? That would suck!

 

[Buldawg76]

Do you know this from personal experience? That would suck!

I do from years ago before the copper line kits were available when the nylon line broke at the gauge I had under the dash, hot oil is no fun for sure.

BD

 

[HKusp]

I ruined my favorite pair of jeans back in 1989 with a mechanical oil gauge and the nylon fitting leaking on my right shin. I get it.

 

[Johnny Rockit]

Do you know this from personal experience? That would suck!

Yes. In my 69 GTO it happened late one night. I was able to shut it down stop with two feet on the brake pedal. All three pedals were oil soaked. I used a pair of vise grips to clamp it shut so I could get home after wiping as much oil as I could and putting sand on the pedals.

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