Something wrong with gauges?

[fiveohGT]

I want to know how accurate the stock gauges are because at night my temp gauge hovers on the second dash above the 130 mark and during the day in between the second and third dash. I just installed a new fluidyne radiator and 180 degree thermostat. I have a ramcharger electric fan that I never have to use (turned on manually).

Also my oil pressure gauge hovers on the second dash mark from the bottom. I was wondering if this was normal. When I step on the gas the needle usually goes down just a little.

Lastly, my fuel gauge is off by 1/8th. When I hit the last 1/8 i run out of gas...

What should i do?

 

[sgarlic]

They aren't very accurate. The best way I found to fix the gas gauge was to remove the cluster bezel and the plastic face plate, then run it til it's empty and dies. Take off the needle and plop it right on the E. Then throw a couple gallons in from a can and head to the gas station. Put it all back together, and from now on you'll know that when you hit the E it'll be empty.

 

[fiveohGT]

Thanks for the info. How much gas should the tank hold? When i run out of gas and fill it up it only holds 10.5 gallons. Could something be going wrong out back? Any info on the other gauges?

 

[deadlast]

unfortunatly all my gauges suck. gas is off drastically, rpms are 300-400 off, speedo is not corrected for new gears... dont really car anyway, volts bounce all over the place (even though its fine) and water temp goes up and down all the time.... only thing i trust is my shift light, which goes on whenever i want... which is all i use. my advice is to buy new gauges, either new cluster by autometer, etc. individual gauges, w/e

 

[fiveohGT]

I figured as much. Is there anyway to check to see if my gauges are correct? And if not, to correct them?

 

[HISSIN50]

You could datalog or put the car on a scope, but it isnt worth it because you can calibrate the gauge for one setting or range, but it probably wont hold calibration for the rest of its travel. Like Sgarlic cal'd his gas gauge for the most important part - empty. But the rest of the gauge might not be in calibration because he calibrated it for empty.

The solution, as said, is to get new gauges. FWIW, the gas tank should hold 15.4 gallons.

If you get into the habit of calculating milage between fill ups, you wont rely on the gauge to know when you are low.

Good luck.

 

[fiveohGT]

Well what could be going on in the tank for it to only fill up to 10.5 gallons?

 

[superhuaman]

Well what could be going on in the tank for it to only fill up to 10.5 gallons?

well theres some gas left in the tank, or else you wouldnt get to the gas station without it dying.