Install: Mechanical Oil Pressure Gauge?

KeyserSosa2000 · 07-12-2006, 01:38 PM

Just like the title says. I've been on the site for a little while and I just bought a mechanical oil pressure gague. I've searched through pfyc.com and read plenty of pages in our archives trying to find a clear explination of how to install this gauge.

There are probably many of you who don't have the mechanical gauge but know your way around grand ams and I was wondering if you could help me out with this.

I read about where the oil pressure sensor is and such but here is my problem. I have the gauge and on the back there is a brass fitting with a rubber/plastic hose about 8inches long. The plastic hose was cut at the opposite end of the gauge with pliers when it was uninstalled from the previous owners car. What do I do with this severed plastic hose? How do I connect the hose to the block once it is fixed? Can the hose even be fixed?

I can get a picture of what I received from the previous owner if a few days if need be.

Here are the links I have already found:
http://www.grandamgt.com/oilpressure-pfyc.html
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/89778/

PS
Props to Molson on helping me this far.

07-12-2006, 02:18 PM

Since you say its mechanical you will have to run that line from the gauge in the cabin to the engine. This means there is the potential for a leak and there could be oil inside your car. If you had an electrical one you could just screw it in and then run the wires to your gauge in the car and not an oil line. I'd recommend selling the mechanical one and getting an electrical gauge.

lone_wolf025 · 07-12-2006, 02:29 PM

^ I concur with that assesment. While it might be cool to put the mechanical gauge to good use you're asking for trouble trying to route the oil lines.

By going digital however you eliminate any potential problems and add the bonus of having the option of making a clear and visible display.

KeyserSosa2000 · 07-12-2006, 03:09 PM

Both of you have a point and I know the risks involved with oil leaks and the potential for disaster; that being said, I am set on using my mechanical gauge and this is why I have created the thread.

07-12-2006, 03:17 PM

You need to get a new plastic hose , fitting and adapter from the Manufacturer of the Gauge. The fitting that goes to the engine goes between the oil preasure sensor & where ever it was connected on the engine. ( Use teflon tape on the male threads ) This is going from memory without looking at pictures.

tenspeed · 07-12-2006, 03:20 PM

IIRC, the mechanical gauge uses a tiny poly tubing. You should be able to get some sort of install kit at a speed shop or small town parts store. It will have about ten feet of the tubing and the fittings for the end. The old tube is only good for making sure you get the right size.

You will also need a T so you can have both the gauge and the idiot light.

07-12-2006, 04:40 PM

Different car but the style of fitting you need to run the gauge line. From this link

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/89778/

[

KeyserSosa2000 · 07-12-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000GA

Different car but the style of fitting you need to run the gauge line. From this link

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/89778/

[

Cheers.

That location is the same port that the original sensor was threaded into...correct? On our cars it is located just to the right of the Oil Filter.

07-12-2006, 07:24 PM

There's no stock Oil Pressure guage on your dash?

myneedforspeed · 07-12-2006, 08:21 PM

nope...we didn't get oil pressure guages...

Irate · 07-13-2006, 08:16 AM

The lines are a bitch to run... I had to go out and buy new fittings/lines because it kept crimping or tearing. Once installed (for over a year now) I have had zero problems or leaks and it works great.

07-13-2006, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myneedforspeed

nope...we didn't get oil pressure guages...

Ah that sucks, what do you guys get from the factory then?

I have Water, Oil, Tach, Speedo, Fuel and Voltage on the '94.

Irate · 07-13-2006, 12:11 PM

water tach speedo fuel which is why I put in an oil and volt

slowbird · 07-13-2006, 02:14 PM

I installed an oil pressure gauge in my old Cutlass and I ditched the plastic tubing and got a brass line.

It worked quite well.

KeyserSosa2000 · 07-13-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IrateWS6

water tach speedo fuel which is why I put in an oil and volt

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowbird

I installed an oil pressure gauge in my old Cutlass and I ditched the plastic tubing and got a brass line.

It worked quite well.

Yep, my sentiment exactly. Volt meter, Oil Pressure and a two pod gauge pod. I'm looking forward to seeing it hopefully done next week.

It's kinda funny that a 1994 had a better cluster than our 'more moddern' cars.

AaronGTR · 07-13-2006, 05:27 PM

The factory gauges are no where close to accurate though and most of them have tiny scale and few or no numbers so it's not like you can derive any accurate information from a factory oil pressure gauge. About all it tells you is if you have any oil left or not.

Better off getting an aftermarket gauge anyway. I'd still go with electric over the hassle of running fluid lines. Only mech gauge I have is boost/vac.

KeyserSosa2000 · 07-13-2006, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AaronGTR

Only mech gauge I have is boost/vac.

tisk tisk

Molson · 07-13-2006, 08:31 PM

Only thing I don't like about my mech gauge is that its noisy, especially when its COLD out.

Tick tick tick tick.

Gold99HO · 07-14-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KeyserSosa2000

Yep, my sentiment exactly. Volt meter, Oil Pressure and a two pod gauge pod. I'm looking forward to seeing it hopefully done next week.

It's kinda funny that a 1994 had a better cluster than our 'more moddern' cars.

because its cheaper to make them the way they are now

KeyserSosa2000 · 07-14-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molson

Only thing I don't like about my mech gauge is that its noisy, especially when its COLD out.

Tick tick tick tick.

, great...oh well. I'll just be happy when the thing is in. I'm gonna go with brass tubing and get a "T" so that my idiot light still works too.

07-12-2006, 02:18 PM	#2
2000GA Guest Posts: n/a	Since you say its mechanical you will have to run that line from the gauge in the cabin to the engine. This means there is the potential for a leak and there could be oil inside your car. If you had an electrical one you could just screw it in and then run the wires to your gauge in the car and not an oil line. I'd recommend selling the mechanical one and getting an electrical gauge. Last edited by 2000GA; 07-12-2006 at 02:23 PM.

07-12-2006, 03:20 PM	#6
tenspeed GAGT - Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Honeoye, NY Posts: 1,734 Vehicle: 02 GA 2.2L, 5 Speed	IIRC, the mechanical gauge uses a tiny poly tubing. You should be able to get some sort of install kit at a speed shop or small town parts store. It will have about ten feet of the tubing and the fittings for the end. The old tube is only good for making sure you get the right size. You will also need a T so you can have both the gauge and the idiot light. __________________ ~Jim~ www.TeamGI.com - Western New York Cardomain page Click here to see my auctions

07-13-2006, 08:16 AM	#11
Irate Irasshaimase AKA: Rob Join Date: Aug 1976 Location: Albany vs. Oneonta vs. Philly Posts: 17,481 Vehicle: its "vehico"	The lines are a bitch to run... I had to go out and buy new fittings/lines because it kept crimping or tearing. Once installed (for over a year now) I have had zero problems or leaks and it works great. __________________ R6 \| STi \| GC Jeep

07-13-2006, 12:11 PM	#13
Irate Irasshaimase AKA: Rob Join Date: Aug 1976 Location: Albany vs. Oneonta vs. Philly Posts: 17,481 Vehicle: its "vehico"	water tach speedo fuel which is why I put in an oil and volt __________________ R6 \| STi \| GC Jeep

07-13-2006, 02:14 PM	#14
slowbird GAGT - Member AKA: Matt Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brampton, Ontario Posts: 294 Vehicle: 2004 Grand Am GT Sedan	I installed an oil pressure gauge in my old Cutlass and I ditched the plastic tubing and got a brass line. It worked quite well. __________________ -Matt 2004 Grand Am GT 14.860@90.86mph. N/A, Full Interior...No Headers.

07-12-2006, 03:17 PM	#5
CoopGT Guest Posts: n/a	You need to get a new plastic hose , fitting and adapter from the Manufacturer of the Gauge. The fitting that goes to the engine goes between the oil preasure sensor & where ever it was connected on the engine. ( Use teflon tape on the male threads ) This is going from memory without looking at pictures.

07-12-2006, 04:40 PM	#7
2000GA Guest Posts: n/a	Different car but the style of fitting you need to run the gauge line. From this link http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/howto/89778/ [

07-12-2006, 07:24 PM	#9
B0000rt Guest Posts: n/a	There's no stock Oil Pressure guage on your dash?

07-12-2006, 08:21 PM	#10
myneedforspeed SC/T FTW! AKA: Derek Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Barrie Ontario Age: 39 Posts: 825 Vehicle: 2000 GRAND AM GT1	nope...we didn't get oil pressure guages...

07-13-2006, 05:27 PM	#16
AaronGTR BlingWithBallz AKA: Aaron Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Detroit area, MI Age: 43 Posts: 12,254 Vehicle: 2000 Grand Am GT1 2dr	The factory gauges are no where close to accurate though and most of them have tiny scale and few or no numbers so it's not like you can derive any accurate information from a factory oil pressure gauge. About all it tells you is if you have any oil left or not. Better off getting an aftermarket gauge anyway. I'd still go with electric over the hassle of running fluid lines. Only mech gauge I have is boost/vac. __________________ The few, the proud, the boosted! 13.788 @ 103.73 mph (3/2011) 320 whp and 300 ft/lbs torque. (3/2011) See it here. the total package.

07-13-2006, 08:31 PM	#18
Molson Admininadian! AKA: Jim Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Great White Norf Age: 45 Posts: 3,695 Vehicle: Duramax, C10, MKZ	Only thing I don't like about my mech gauge is that its noisy, especially when its COLD out. Tick tick tick tick. __________________ Sig

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