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| | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 | hey guys im going to be dropping in a new engine here in the next few weeks and i would also like to have some new gauges to go along with it such as water temp, oil pressure, and a tachometer. I've seen some kits in the summit racing catalog that look reasonable but i didnt want to go buying anything before consulting the trusty 'bolt first. the main thing that im concerned with is what is the real difference between mechanical and electric gauges? i understand that mechanical works off of direct lines going to the actual component and electrical works off of the electrical system but is one really better than the other? with the tachometer, is there a certain company i should look at and do i need a gauge that goes to 8k rpm or can i go with a 6k? just have these basic questions and if anyone has anything to add i would really appreciate the help. thanks. | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | What engine are you putting in this truck that you think might turn over 6000 rpms? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 | none. i guess that question was kind of self explanatory haha. just really trying to figure out whether i should choose mechanical or electrical gauges. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 230 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2007 Posts: 230 | Go with electrical gauges. For instance, a mechanical temp. ga. has a long capillary tube that plugs into the block. The tube is tough to work with, looks like cr..p, and is always too long or too short. A mechanical oil pressure gauge has an oil tube that plugs into the rear of the gauge, and it always leaks. I don't think you can even find a mechaical tach. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 | ok i'll do electrical then. is there a certain brand i should go with or is it pretty much anything out of the summit catalog? i was looking at one type of kit in particular summit kit . this was about the only gauge pod thing that was electrical but still had oil pressure, water temp and voltmeter. are mechanical gauges really that much of a hassle? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 | how exactly do electrical gauges measure what theyre measuring without a line physically going to that component? | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | An electric temperature guage is connected to a heat variable resistor in the sending unit. The sending unit acts as a ground. More resistance reads cooler temp on the gauge. Direct to ground reads full hot.
The oil pressure gauge works the same but with a pressure variable sending unit. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Apr 2006 Posts: 172 | okay thanks i appreciate it cletis, good to know that. is there really any advantage to mechanical or electrical? and also, do i really need the voltmeter or am i good with just the temp and oil pressure? thanks for all the help guys. | | |
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