• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech

Mechanical or electrical gauges?

  • Thread starter Thread starter The Green GT
  • Start date Start date May 22, 2006

The Green GT

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 22, 2006
#1
  • May 22, 2006
  • #1
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

Keep it lubed .... keep it straight .... and keep
Mar 30, 2005
1,940
3
36
North Carolina
May 22, 2006
#2
  • May 22, 2006
  • #2
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

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 22, 2006
#3
  • May 22, 2006
  • #3
SeventyMach1 said:
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.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Im getting them now. Ultralite II's to match my reverse glow gauges.
 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
May 22, 2006
#4
  • May 22, 2006
  • #4
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

Member
Apr 3, 2004
636
1
19
Worcester, MA
May 22, 2006
#5
  • May 22, 2006
  • #5
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

Keep it lubed .... keep it straight .... and keep
Mar 30, 2005
1,940
3
36
North Carolina
May 22, 2006
#6
  • May 22, 2006
  • #6
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

"How long does it take to get help in here?
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
31,179
33
129
May 22, 2006
#7
  • May 22, 2006
  • #7
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

Squint as you approach, lest you be blinded by my
15 Year Member
May 7, 2002
11,178
13
89
Ernan Says "here it comes... dushbag"
May 23, 2006
#8
  • May 23, 2006
  • #8
I think the mech on the outside looks really cool (remember oink's car). But As a set, I like the Elec!
RC
 
Y

yellowclone

New Member
Mar 16, 2006
68
0
0
May 23, 2006
#9
  • May 23, 2006
  • #9
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

No 13 year olds are safe around me.
10 Year Member
Jan 8, 2006
1,269
19
99
Louisiana
May 23, 2006
#10
  • May 23, 2006
  • #10
yellowclone said:
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.
Click to expand...
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.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Progress Thread Sask84gt's 84 GT - Questions and Progress Thread
  • Sask84gt
  • Oct 13, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
22
Views
479
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 6, 2026
Sask84gt
D
Fuel Erratic Fuel Pressure 1985 GT
  • DienstXIV
  • Jan 14, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
16
Views
625
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jan 16, 2026
AeroCoupe
Engine Themostat
  • Mindseye007
  • Jan 30, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
21
Views
655
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Feb 1, 2026
86HO5.0
8
Fox Help
  • 93fox85
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
5
Views
181
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Mar 23, 2026
Noobz347
Electrical Issues with my 2006 mustang gt
  • VerneVdV
  • May 22, 2026
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Replies
0
Views
39
2005 - 2009 Specific Tech May 22, 2026
VerneVdV
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 1994 - 1995 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?