Mechanical or electrical gauges?

[The Green GT]

Im getting a water temp, and oil pressure gauge and was wondering if i shouldg et mech or electrical? Ive heard that mechanical is more accurate, but you have to actually have fluid in the gauge. Or is that just fuel pressure.

 

[SeventyMach1]

You don't have coolant in the lines to the mechanical water gauge's. There are safety lines (filled with ether I believe).

I chose electrical OP and WT gauge's because they're easier to install. And yes, they're accurate.

 

[The Green GT]

You don't have coolant in the lines to the mechanical water gauge's. There are safety lines (filled with ether I believe).

I chose electrical OP and WT gauge's because they're easier to install. And yes, they're accurate.

Thanks. Im getting them now. Ultralite II's to match my reverse glow gauges.

 

[HISSIN50]

Justin's right on. On pillars I use elec OP guages (in case of a leak with a mech OP gauge - the ferrules sometimes crack). And I use mech water temp gauges. Now that leads to a different sweep radius for the gauges, but it doesnt bother me.

Good luck.

 

[illwood]

I went with mechanical for both the water temp and oil pressure on mine (dash bezel install).

I'm not woried about the water temp gauge leaking because of the sealed tube with ether. To help prevent leaks, I ran a braided hose in for the oil pressure.

The biggest problem with running mechanical gauges (for me) is the running of the lines. I put some holes through the inner fender side of the firewall because I had the fender off anyway.

 

[SeventyMach1]

Yeah, I think what JT said about the sweep radius is where you heard about the accuracy problem (not a problem to me either). Mechanical gauges tend to have smaller increments, as most are full sweep. So you can read the EXACT temperature/pressure for the most part. I don't think I've ever seen a full sweep electrical gauge .... and if they do exist ..... I imagine that they are quite pricey.

 

[HISSIN50]

AM makes some full sweep electrics - and as suggested they are quite $$ (last time I checked).

What Justin said is why I dont run elec temp gauges - a needle-width on some can be worth like 20*F.

 

[94GTLaserRC]

I think the mech on the outside looks really cool (remember oink's car). But As a set, I like the Elec!
RC

 

[yellowclone]

I have electric water temp and oil pressure full sweep gauges. They are the AM C2 and yes they are PRICEY, however, you can get a better deal on ebay for them than in Jegs or Summit. They are as accurate as mechanical if you get the full sweep.

 

[The Green GT]

I have electric water temp and oil pressure full sweep gauges. They are the AM C2 and yes they are PRICEY, however, you can get a better deal on ebay for them than in Jegs or Summit. They are as accurate as mechanical if you get the full sweep.

Yea I was pricving the full sweep and short sweep. Id Like to have full sweep but they are like $200. I cant affor that. Ill just stick to the short sweep.