Blitz Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Hi. I’m going to add an additional 3 dial lower dash panel to my Spit 4 I intend to add a clock ( simple ) volt meeter ( simple ish ) oil temp ( err no idea ) they do a mechanical or an electric version with sender unit I’m guessing a mechanical would be best ? But how do I fit this ? Where do I get the oil temp from. obviously not cheap gauges so need to order the correct ones thanks Grant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Oil temp or pressure? Temp won't be mechanical it will be electrical with a sender like the water temperature gauge - pressure can be either. I've currently lashed in a mechanical one but want to fit it permanently when I've worked out where to put it! My modern brain thinks electrical is better - and I did get one cheap with a cheap sender - but the sender doesn't match the gauge so when powered sits at about 20psi! So I got a mechanical one (new about £44) and a plastic connecting pipe (Actually from a mini place on ebay!) for a few quid. And that works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Grant, IIRC, the capillary type (mechanical) OIL TEMP gauge requires the sender / bulb to be mounted within / through the sump. Not sure if it is possible to get a modified sump plug to take the sender - sorry, it's a long time since I've actually seen one fitted. The volt meter / battery indicator gauge is simple - earth & a wire to the ignition side of the electrics; normally the fuse box. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 7 minutes ago, classiclife said: IIRC, the capillary type (mechanical) OIL TEMP gauge Learn something new every day - I know you can get them for industrial applications - often to control valves, particularly steam - but never thought about one for a car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Mark, It's one of those gauges not often seen and quite often the ones for sale have a broken capillary between the bulb and gauge - a very useful gauge if you can find a good one or get it refurbished. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted March 15, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Angelfire. Is yours a oil pressure gage then ? How are they fitted? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 You will need a T piece form to run the pipe to the gauge, whilst the other part of the T piece keeps the oil pressure unit in situ. The attached picture gives an idea, although the photo does not specifically relate to your enquiry. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Yes mines oil pressure. Basically you take the oil switch out, and fit a tee piece - the one port you fit the switch back in and the oil pressure line (or sender if electric) goes in the other. I keep meaning to take some pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Have mine Mark !! When I installed my oil pressure gauge I used a s/s braided pipe, rather than plastic which was certainly common on Fords I believe. Just looking on EBay, there are a few oil temp gauges at decent prices - if we are still on that subject: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smiths-Oil-temperature-gauge/132535701019?hash=item1edbbe4e1b:g:SZ4AAOSwpWBapp-N https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/52mm-Like-Smiths-Oil-Temperature-Gauge-Triumph-Spitfire-Classic-Car/302647658933?hash=item467734c9b5:g:ZIoAAOSwZfNadta1 Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 15, 2018 Report Share Posted March 15, 2018 Richard, I have a s/s braided pipe ready to install, got it when Andy Cooke (IIRC?) pointed out plastic pipes get old and brittle and if it breaks, there goes your oil, bearings and every thing. A very weak link. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Many thanks chaps. So to recap. Oil pressure gage is doable in both mech and electric sender form due to the fact you can add to the oil switch entry point. Oil temp gage is more difficult as the engine has no access point so would require the sump plug drilling for access for the temp pick up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 You can buy an adaptor for the sump plug. I did. Came off ebay, and IIRC it was a bright blue anodised one. Probably very cheap, may well have been from china. The other option is to use an oil cooler and get a temp sensor bung to fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 8 hours ago, dougbgt6 said: Richard, I have a s/s braided pipe ready to install, got it when Andy Cooke (IIRC?) pointed out plastic pipes get old and brittle and if it breaks, there goes your oil, bearings and every thing. A very weak link. Doug Hi Doug I have the 50 year old plastic pipe on my oil pressure gauge on my Vitesse Any ideas where I could purchase upgraded pipe . The oil pressure gauge is 2ins diameter and came from a Triumph Spitfire Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 I think the stainless braided ones are just a nylon pipe with an overbraid? I guess the braiding protects against rubbing for a bit (but that will wear through eventually, I have a T shirt! for an aeroquip brake hose rubbing on a driveshaft!!!) The nylon pipe is very robust, and doesn't seem to age? the damage I have seen has always been a cut, or in one instance where the connector was poorly made on the gauge. But new pipe kits should be easily available from Mini specialists. Ebay is always a simple place to search. (I gave up on extra gauges, all they seem to do is worry me, and the times I had catastrophic oil pressure drops, it was all over in a fraction of a second. 3 crankshafts, an oil cooler was then fitted, then I changed engines away form 1500's) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Paul. Something like this will be ideal: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LMA037-6-BRAIDED-OIL-PRESSURE-PIPE-STRAIGHT-STRAIGHT-1-NPT-1-CONE-END/282882111922?hash=item41dd1679b2:g:~ToAAOSwBOlad3DT You just need to check it has the same coupling at each end + the length - but overall a good price. I think the one I have, without measuring is 4ft, sounds a lot but you want the curves of the pipe to be gentle - I will try and take a couple of photos today to give an idea + measuring. Clive's comment on contacting Mini specialists is spot-on; perhaps a company such as Demon Tweeks - good kit and decently priced. One important aspect when fitting an oil pressure gauge is to ensure that you fit the tiny rubber O ring between the union and the gauge outlet. Needless to say without it, you will have a very well lubricated dash at the back !! I'm not certain if you can fit the leather ones, but I have more faith in the rubber version........................................just wait for the comments on that from a different angle !!!! Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Paul. Just looked at the Demon Tweeks website and their braided 4ft hose (as an example) is £24 + postage and VAT no doubt. That said it will be worth contacting them to confirm what thread fitting is required for the gauge and T piece. Once you know that you can have a look around for a better deal perhaps ?? My only reservation about the one I flagged via EBay is it has a cone end - I do not recall that being part of my set-up, or perhaps I have forgotten. Smiths fluid gauges all have the same thread and I think, the T piece is a matching thread - again, a call to DT will confirm or perhaps a Forum user can confirm that beyond doubt. Good luck. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 I bought this one from eBay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Classic-Mini-Oil-Pressure-Gauge-Kit-INC-Nylon-Pipe-T-Piece-Adaptor-rover-S-minor-/192310839616?hash=item2cc69e8940 And this gauge. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-SMITHS-OIL-PRESSURE-GAUGE-0-100-Psi-52-mm-KIT-CAR/112787410906?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 I'm not overly worried about it being nylon. It runs together with the starter cable, so is protected from most damage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 I see DT do sender adapters. If the correct size is available can these be used directly into the sump ? Ether way I should be able to cobble something together. Thanks for the info chaps. what is the sump plug thread and size please anyone ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Blitz, No need to drill the sump. Use a dip stick with a temp sender on the end. https://www.justkampers.com/vdo-oil-temperature-gauge-kit-with-dipstick-sender-1200-1600cc-models-to-1979.html John 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Grant, Before you go drilling / adapting sumps or dipstick upgrading - my obvious question is: why do you think you need one ?? Do you have an oil pressure gauge ?? If not, I personally feel that is more advantageous than an oil temp gauge. If you do have a pressure gauge, then I presume it is a "fancy having that" type route ?? Conversely, if you are like Doug then no amount of gauges is ever enough !! Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Richard, Yes indeed! I never new there was such a thing as an oil temperature gauge, but now, a must have item! Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Doug, You mean it was not on the birthday list - that's very poor show !!! Do you remember the outside air temperature gauge that Smiths marketed ?? Very rarely seen and I have only ever seen 1x fitted to a car. Regards. Richard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougbgt6 Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Ooo! Richard I'm going weak at the knees. The birthday list contained A workshop manual, a steering wheel, car carpets and a Smiths Volt gauge. What did I get? 3 tickets for the Buddy Holly show, me, No.1 and No.2 girl. So I bought the wheel myself and next pension day Coverdale car carpets are getting a call. Doug Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blitz Posted March 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 I’m sorry it’s definitely for bling. I’m going to fit a 3 hole dash plate under the current dials. So extra 3 dials required. Clock, volts, and oil temp or pressure. Different views so far on whether temp or pressure is best or should I say more useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anglefire Posted March 16, 2018 Report Share Posted March 16, 2018 Ditch the clock and put both temp and pressure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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