Temperature Guages

[Floppy Hat]

I've got an AMC 304 in my CJ-7 and have been thinking about installing a temperature guage to supplement the stock one. My question is, which is better, a mechanical or electrical guage?

 

[I Lean]

I say mechanical for reliability. (usually cheap too)

 

[Greg]

Mechanical, all the way. It's much more reliable & acurate.

I've used AutoMeter in the past and have been very pleased. I'll probably get a Coolant Temp. & Oil Pressure guage for my truck when it's up.

 

[James K]

auto meter. go mechanical

 

[Floppy Hat]

Sounds like mechanical is the way to go. I've been thinking about something like this:

 

[James K]

go with the sport comps at least

 

[Floppy Hat]

Something more like this:

?

What are the differences?

I haven't started looking at prices yet.

 

[RockMonkey]

Mine's electrical, I just plugged it into the stock wiring harness. I guess you prolly don't have that uption, huh?

 

[EZRhino]

Mechanical doesn't use any electricity to work, so it will always read whether or not your key in on/off, or even if the battery gets thrown clear of your vehicle in an annihilating rollover. At least you will still be able to read what temp the engine is.....
Also, the mechanical gauges have a greater range of readout, which can be nice in a useless way. (My motor has now cooled to 89 degrees! woopeee!) You'll need a fairly large hole in the firewall to run the silly sender through (like 3/4" to 7/8" or so). Also you always end up with 2 feet of extra cable and you can't shorten it unfortunately.

I had one of those cheap auto-zone $12 ones in mine before I re-did the dash, and it died on me, so yes, go autometer or VDO.

Electrical use a sending unit (duh) , and the chances are that your existing sender won't work with an aftermarket elec. gauge.

EZ (Gauge guru, BTDT)

 

[Shawn]

Also keep in mind what the typical operating temp is. My gages go from 100 to 240. My Cruiser runs at around 160-190 and my tow rig runs at 190-200. based on the pic you posted the needle would always be on the left side. If you get a gage that has lower numbers it will be easier to read and the neadle will use most of the temp range.

IMO.

 

[Floppy Hat]

Good point Shawn, thanks for the insights. I probably won't need anything that goes above 240.

 

[Caleb]

I'm not sure if all, but the NAPA on 1300S and about 700W stocks all types of gauges including Autometer and VDO...they sell both styles that were posted and the diff is that the first one you posted is not as acurate because the sweep is only 1/4 of the gauge whereas the second one has a larger sweep so it is more accurate...

 

[SnwMnkys]

I have a VDO oil Temp gauge, anyone ever mounted a sender for one of these? I dont know where to plug it into, im hoping my drain plug is the same thread as the adapter fitting since i have 2 drain plugs anyway (dual sump pan).

 

[N-Smooth]

hmmm i am probably going to run an electrical... i think it just goes into my existing wiring for the idiot lights. not sure. but i am going to get an equus gauge from my work. we just got in some nicer looking ones that i like a lot more. i was thinking about getting a big old autometer tach with a shift light just for fun, but they are spendy even with discount. and i don't even need a tach, i know what sound is good and what sound is bad. haha

 

[Get Me wired]

I prefer to use the mechanical gauges because they cost less and I tend to think they are more reliable. You've chosen to look at a good brand, Auto Meter, and their Autogage product line would be perfect for your application. If you have space issues look at their 1.5" mini gauges.

 

[Get Me wired]

This is the set I like

 

[Get Me wired]

But then some like this may be more to your liking.

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by Get Me wired
I prefer to use the mechanical gauges because they cost less and I tend to think they are more reliable. You've chosen to look at a good brand, Auto Meter, and their Autogage product line would be perfect for your application. If you have space issues look at their 1.5" mini gauges.

Yep, IMO, the mechanical are more acurate...

 

[drylok]

Mechanicals are probably more accurate, but the one bad thing about mechanical gauges is that they are prone to leakage at the fittings over time.

 

[bobdog]

Originally posted by drylok
Mechanicals are probably more accurate, but the one bad thing about mechanical gauges is that they are prone to leakage at the fittings over time.

That can be true for oil presure guages that are improperly instaled, but mecanical water temp guages use a capilary type tube conection that does not actually have coolant in the tube or conection and are no more prone to leak than electric guages.
For the mechanical presure guages always use at least the copper line option and it is probably worth the extra cash to use braided stainless.