How Do I Install An Oil Pressure Gauge?

Is it a mechanical or electric gauge?

You can tell by looking at the face usually. If it is a short sweep, it is probably electric. If it is full sweep then it is probably mechanical.

The only problem with the above reasoning is if you have a very expensive full sweep electrical gauge.


I have a mechanical gauge and tapped into where the factory gauge gets it signal from next to the oil filter.

You can get the instructions for the gauge from Autometer's website.

I have mechanical and I have ss braided line run from the original oil pressure hole in the block through the firewall to the gauge in the vent.
If the gauge is mechanical I wouldnt use that thin plastic line that you pick up at the parts store, I would get some SS braided teflon line. IMO I wouldnt want 60psi of oil spraying everywere if that line broke....

Mechanical oil pressure gauge installation.


1.) Remove old pressure sender. It is located down by the oil filter and has 1 wire on a push on screw connector.
2.) Install ¼” pipe tee fitting with a short ¼” nipple on the place where you removed the oil pressure sender.
3.) Install the original oil pressure sender back in one of the tee ports.
4.) Install the gauge line restrictor in the remaining port of the tee.
5.) Connect the flex tubing or hydraulic hose to the gauge restrictor. Be sure to route the tubing or hose away from the exhaust manifolds. Be sure to either use hydraulic hose or oil and heat resistant flex tubing for the pressure line. Do not use copper tubing for the connection to the gauge restrictor or engine. Over a period of time, the vibration will work harden the tubing and cause it to crack and fail.
6.) If the gauge is going to mount under the hood, connect it to the end of the hose or flex tubing. Use some Tie-wraps to secure the gauge and its plumbing to the wiring harness on the driver’s side inner fender.
7.) If the gauge is going to mount in the passenger compartment you get to find a place to run the tubing through the firewall. I suggest that you pick your spot from the inside since that is the area with the most difficult access. Do not run the tubing through the exact same hole as the steering shaft. It will tangle up with the steering shaft and cause major problems.
8.) Install the gauge inside the car in the location of your choosing. Connect the pressure line to the gauge and secure it out of the way of moving parts with Tie-wraps.
9.) Be sure to ground the gauge lighting wire to clean, shiny bare metal. Connect the other wire from the gauge lighting to a light brown/red wire on the radio wiring harness. There are 2 connectors in the radio wiring harness, but only one of them has the light brown/red wire you need for gauge illumination. Solder the gauge lighting wire to the light brown/red wire on the radio harness and cover the soldered joint with heat shrink.

How to solder like a pro - Ford Fuel Injection How To Solder Like a Pro a must read for any automotive wiring job.

IMHO, electrical is easier but not quite as accurate (the sensor can have issues and the swept area and graduations are smaller).

LxVert said:

IMO I wouldnt want 60psi of oil spraying everywere if that line broke....

Click to expand...

Oh, and it will happen.

Mechanical is better.

IMO, get a couple fittings and T off the stock sender so your stocker doesn't just sit there dead.

I don't know the line size offhand, but you can buy a 6ft (measure to make sure it's long enough for you) SS premade like to go from the oil pressure outlet on the car, to the gauge.
Don't be mistaken, the hose won't be cheap, but the plastic one that comes with the gauge is crap.

When I did the line in my car with the fittings it was around $35 from engine to gauge in the vent.

I have had a nylon line on one car's guage for well over 10 years. I dont like the line but also like to note that if not installed incorrectly, it's not necessarily going to explode (half the people on here make it sound that way).

Using a brass/copper line is another idea. I sheath them in rubber line when run near other items - otherwise the line can vibrate and chatter.

Can someone post pics of where and how they tapped in for the oil gauge....would be easier to undestand

SickSix said:

Can someone post pics of where and how they tapped in for the oil gauge....would be easier to undestand

Click to expand...

If no one posts up pics shortly, they have been posted in the past. A search will reveal them.