Oil Pressure Gauge options

[Llessur]

I'm gradually approaching the tail end of my engine rebuild (yes, it's been around a year now - I blame having kids) and would like to fit an oil pressure gauge to my 2500S so that I can keep an eye of what's going on in there. I'd be interested in hearing what other people have done in this respect.

What are benefits of a mechanical gauge vs electric? My gut feeling is that I'd be fairly keen to avoid a mechanical one as it's one more (very inconvenient) place for oil to leak from but lots of people use them. Are they cheaper, more plentiful or just better?

I'm contemplating robbing an electric gauge and sender from a Jag XJ6 as they seem to be fairly plentiful in breakers yards over here. I think these only go up to 80psi - will this be enough?

Otherwise I can buy a new Smith's dual water temp/oil pressure gauge and replace the existing water temp gauge currently sits. As far as I can tell these are all mechanical oil pressure gauges.

Any thoughts or suggestions re the above?

[tony]

I've used both, electric on the Spitfire and mechanical on the 2500's . Spitfire one seemed ok but I have a dislike of things Chinese. On the 2500's I fitted Mini gauges. I prefer Smith gauges which on comparison tests seem fairly accurate. Tee'd off the oil light sender. I used 1/8 annealed copper tube and mostly made my own fittings from brass. Never had any leaks over the years. Put a coil in the pipe to give it some flexibility.
Tony.

[Alec]

Hello Llessur,

I think the idea of the dual gauge is best as it will be less trouble, and neater to install. Mechanical oil pressure gauges tend to be more reliable and don't generally seem to leak.

Alec

[johnnydog]

Depending on how keen you are to keep an original style of gauges in your S, the late TR6 had a mechanical oil pressure gauge that is the same style and layout of S gauges with a bottom pivotting needle. As they were only fitted to the TR6, they can cost more secondhand than a Smiths Mini gauge. Mini gauges only match the gauges in pfl / earlier cars as the needle swings from the top, but they don't match facelift cars where the needle pivots from the bottom.
Cutting a suitable stepped hole in the wood dash is very difficult to do cleanly because of the laquer and veneer finish, and the gap between adjacent gauges is very small which can result in the wood being damaged.
Not being a fan of additional gauges being mounted in a bracket under the dash, the last TR6 gauge I fitted to an S, I removed the eye ball vent, but left it connected to the hose under the dash. I cut the centre out of a spare eye ball vent and the oil pressure gauge fitted neatly into the middle of the surround (the hole in the dash for the vent is too big to accommodate the gauge without this modification), and it fitted back in the dash neatly without looking out of place. I took the feed off the oil pressure switch.
It's not too difficult to do, but in my opinion looks a lot neater and can be put back to original if required as no holes have been cut in the wood.

[tony]

I used an air vent but in a different way. I took the centre out and put it in the lathe and bored it out to fit the gauge. I then took the useless clock out and fitted the vent there , outside diameter is the same as the clock on the S.
Tony.

[Llessur]

Good options re the eyeball vent - thanks both. I definitely have some spares knocking around so I might see what I can do with one of those. The clock location would work well for me as mine doesn't work anyway...

[johnfrancis898]

I’m also considering an oil pressure gauge. A ‘Jag’ man told me of a dual oil gauge which does pressure and temperature. Has anyone heard of these or come across one anywhere?

[Alec]

Hello John,

yes, I have one in my car.
They are readily available from the various car accessory vendors and probably some Triumph specialists?

Alec

[Mike Stevens]

I have one in the Stag (and the Land Rover!). One thing to remember is that these dual gauges normally have capillary sensors for temperature whereas the Triumph one is electric. With a capillary one fitted it's not so easy to completely remove the dash (Mk2) as the capillary tube is connected.

This is not a real issue but something to be borne in mind.

Cheers,
Mike.

[johnnydog]

I’m also considering an oil pressure gauge. A ‘Jag’ man told me of a dual oil gauge which does pressure and temperature. Has anyone heard of these or come across one anywhere?

This type were commonly used in MG's I believe. The only downside from my point of view is that the gauge will look like an 'add on' as it will be a different layout and style to the original dials. I'm a stickler for originality (or as near to as possible) so for me in the Mk2, the TR6 gauge (for facelift cars) or the Mini gauge (in prefacelift cars) would be my choice, but it depends on how modified your car is and your personal preference!
To give an indication on how 'anal' I am, my late model Mk1 2000 had an oil pressure gauge with a white needle fitted when I got it (in 1984!) to the left side of the steering wheel, which I changed for one with a red needle to match the speedo and amps/ temp/ fuel gauges, although its position isn't particularly near to them!