Wiring hiding w/gauges.. electrical or mechanical?

mustangillusion

Founding Member

Jun 24, 2001

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Oklahoma

Jul 24, 2006

#1

• Jul 24, 2006

• #1

I bought some autometer gauges (oil and temp) last week for my gauge cage. I bought mechanical gauges because I know that they are more accurate and reliable, but then I realized that maybe I should have got electrical gauges (all in the name of keeping the engine bay clean). I thought it would be easier to hides wires than cables and lines. What do you think and how would I go about hiding the cables?

 

QDRHRSE

New Member

Dec 31, 2002

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Palmdale, CA

Jul 24, 2006

#2

• Jul 24, 2006

• #2

The electrical gauges actually have more exposed junk that goes with them. They have sending units and more wiring. The mechanical gauges only have 1 line that goes out to the engine bay and 2 or three wires that are under the dash. The electric gauges have an awkward sending unit and at least double the wiring. You did good.

 

B

BaXTeR3221

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Jan 12, 2004

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Orange County, NY

Jul 24, 2006

#3

• Jul 24, 2006

• #3

I would have gone with electrical simply because the mechanical ones can put the hot fluids inside the car if something goes wrong. As for hiding the wiring, i would think just running it through the firewall and up under the dash?

 

4G-KDMP

10 Year Member

Jul 23, 2005

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CA

Jul 24, 2006

#4

• Jul 24, 2006

• #4

your thread says wire hiding but is sound as if your asking how'd you would hide cables.
i think wires would be easier than cables from what i've been readin about hiding wires.
i havn't done either so i'm no expert, it's just what i'ver read.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jul 24, 2006

#5

• Jul 24, 2006

• #5

Mech temp gauges have a capillary tube - there is not hot fluid in the car.

It wont matter either way. Most temp senders (AM for instance) are quite small. The cap tube can lead to issues only because you are limited to its length - if you had a longer tube you could hide it better.

I'd take mech temp any day over electrical - esp if knowing temps is critical (it's hot where you live).

My two cents. Good luck.

 

89Notch

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Oct 21, 1999

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MSU

Jul 24, 2006

#6

• Jul 24, 2006

• #6

regardless you are going to have to have something go to the spot for the reading. Better off with the mechanical

 

mustangillusion

Founding Member

Jun 24, 2001

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Oklahoma

Jul 25, 2006

#7

• Jul 25, 2006

• #7

Thanks all for the help. I think I will just stick with my original plan and get all mechanical. :SNSign:

 

89Notch

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Oct 21, 1999

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Jul 25, 2006

#8

• Jul 25, 2006

• #8

Just make sure you use copper and not that cheap plastic for the oil line

 

D

DeVus1

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Mar 29, 2002

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P-Town, Va.

Jul 25, 2006

#9

• Jul 25, 2006

• #9

Mechanical gauges are super reliable and fairly easy to install. Though the wiring can sometimes be tricky to hide.

 

HISSIN50

"How long does it take to get help in here?

15 Year Member

Nov 29, 1999

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Jul 25, 2006

#10

• Jul 25, 2006

• #10

Or do braided line if aesthetics are important - you might be able to cover the capillary tube in a faux braided line to make it look nice.

Devus, your post reads funny (you meant that it's hard to hide the lines, not wiring, I think). I'd agree with you there.