Pyrometer wich one?

[masteryota]

I've read a lot about 3b overheating and how much the stock heat gauges are crap. I've also read a lot on this forum that the add of a pyrometer is a must.
Therefor, before I go out there on my own looking for a pyrometer, wich one is the best?
I guess I'd mount it right under the radio with additional switches I could install later on.
Wich one do you suggest I go out for, and where could I get it?
On the internet perhaps?
Any websites anything would help.
Thank you
Matt

[Greg_B]

Been looking at this one: http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2685

Dunno about it being the best...

Comes with the kit as pictured here: http://www.store.yahoo.com/racingsup.../pykit0de.html

Pricing it tomorrow.

gb

[crushers]

autometer is the one i use in all my customers trucks.

[Canuck]

I have a Autometer Z-Series pyrometer in my other car and it came with everything that is pictured in Greg_B's link. There is also a probe available separatly from Autometer that has one long continous wire to the gauge instead of having to screw the wires coming off of the probe to the wire leading to the gauge. Another good brand is VDO (made by Siemens) who offer both celsius and fahrenheit pyrometers.

http://www.sso-usa.com/performance/index.html

I'm not sure where you're located masteryota but if you're in Lower Mainland BC, Mopac Autosupply in Surrey is one of the cheapest places in town.

[wesintl]

I installed the Ultralight.http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=3199. I also have the water temp. I called Autometer because there was a model I liked a little better but it was more suited towards racing. Autometer told me that the ultralight model was best suited gauge for 4 wheeling. Who knows but that's what they said. I also really like the isspro gauges. There's already alot of info in the forum on pyro gauges and which ones we all like good luck.

[cruiser_guy]

Personally I like the Isspro one. It's nicely color coded on the dial (if you get the right model) and it's available with a 24v wiring option if needed. Besides they are OEM equipment for several tractor trucks.

[masteryota]

Great now I know where to start my research.
Thanks to everyone.
My other question would be, what is the range of the normal temp on a 3b?
From an '85 canadian bj70.
Just so I know where to draw the line between OK and

Thanks

[Greg_B]

Originally Posted by cruiser_guy

Personally I like the Isspro one. It's nicely color coded on the dial (if you get the right model) and it's available with a 24v wiring option if needed. Besides they are OEM equipment for several tractor trucks.

Model #, location in BC you bought, and price?

Thanks

gb

[jzilla]

I have an auto meter but would buy isspro if i had to do it again.
The autometer failed on me after a year, I got a new one for free though so did not go isspro.
Like Charles said it is oem for major tractor companies. The color coded gauge is much nicer as well. They are also cheaper.
You can get them at Fred holmes fuel injection in richmond BC.

[honk]

I've had a few and like Isspro as a single guage and Westach for combination guages.
the Isspro brand, as stated, is often seen in heavy diesel powered equipment in the US.
I don't trust companies that are heavily marketed with fancy ads and signs everywhere you look. Autometer strikes me that way.

Personally, I found the colored range models distracting and difficult to read accurately on the road. With a colored needle and a multicolored field it was hard to see exactly where the needle lay if close to one of the lines between the colors. Much prefer an even black or white background with a solidly differentiated needle.

Used to get my guage stuff here: http://www.genosgarage.com/ 'cause they're friendly folks.

Just sold my only loose Isspro to Cruiser_Guy for too little money..... The reason I sold it is that it was a 12 volt model and I need to put one in a 24 volt truck. Everyone know that Isspro DOES use electricity to convert it's sensor output into guage input? I THINK it's the only brand to do that - using system juice for other than only lighting.


edit: one thing more: If you aren't careful where you locate a guage that has a curved lens (whatever it's called) you'll get reflections that keep you from being able to read the thing, especially at night with a guage mounted up near the windshield/rear glare.

[greasypants]

I use autometer . Bought from Lordco in coquitlam on sale , I think it was around $150-$160 for the kit with sensor. Had to wait several months to get it as they were on back ordered. Easy to install (pre-turbo) and works great.

[cruiser_guy]

Greg,
The ones for my '82 BJ60 came from Cory at Kodiak in Maple Ridge when I got the AXT kit. The ones on my daughters FJ55/3B I got online as it was the cheapest place I could find and the one for the FJ45LV is coming from Honk, and each one is cheaper than the last!

The one on my BJ60 and on my daughters truck are both colored dial faces. I like those as you can see at a glance where you are. It'll be interesting to compare when the FJ45Lv is on the road as that one is not color coded.

[Tapage]

Hey .. don't forget VDO options .. maybe more cheap ( great if you are a poor men as me )

search it in summit racing .. !

[Technikev]

It won't help you Greg, but I think PAAL (Performance Auto Assist) in Calgary carries Isspro guages. They are a diesel performance shop there. Wayne will probably know something about them and I have had no problems with them in the past.

-Kevin

[masteryota]

Hey I appreciate it all, all that is great.
Now, I'm wondering, what's the normal temperature for a 3b?
It's not turbo or anything.
What should be the reading on those for normal engine heat activity?
Useless to have a pyrometer if you can't tell when is too hot right?

[honk]

Originally Posted by masteryota

Hey I appreciate it all, all that is great.
Now, I'm wondering, what's the normal temperature for a 3b?
It's not turbo or anything.
What should be the reading on those for normal engine heat activity?
Useless to have a pyrometer if you can't tell when is too hot right?

You'll find a pyrometer to be a different sort of experience in use. The EGTs don't really have a 'normal' point as the temperature fluctuates continually, changing with every variance of load and RPM. It's important to locate the guage in a place where it's easily seen because of these changes as it's possible to be running in a safe temperature range one minute then in a critically dangerous zone in the next.
The temperatures of safe operation are probably different for different engines, I don't know, but in general anything over 1000 degrees bears a close watching while cruising down a flat highway at 600 degrees allows for some relaxation. For my Cummins diesels I like not to exceed 1000 degrees at all, but instances of pulling uphill and reaching 1200 degrees isn't too uncommon. More than that risks a suddenly holed piston in that engine.
A cooled down point for the Cummins is 300 degrees or maybe a little less.

I know that these things aren't so helpful as specific answer to your questions but I hope that they start you toward understanding the importance of the instrument.

[cruiser_guy]

Originally Posted by masteryota

Hey I appreciate it all, all that is great.
Now, I'm wondering, what's the normal temperature for a 3b?
It's not turbo or anything.
What should be the reading on those for normal engine heat activity?
Useless to have a pyrometer if you can't tell when is too hot right?

I was under the impression that the non-turbo'd 3B's actually run hotter than the turbo'd 3B's. I'm sure mine did as I can reach 1200F pre-turbo and I did NOTHING to my fuel when I installed the turbo. There is NO way to know when you're too hot until it's too late and that nasty knocking sound starts which is usually just before you're dead!! I've been there and I ain't goin' there again.

[Gold Boy]

To bad Walmart does not sell pyro gauges as all there other gauges work real good for me, and they are CHEAP. Same brand and gauge is twice the price or more at Lordco.

GB

[Gold Boy]

A freind told me that they used to use pyro gauges on semi trucks as away of knowing when to gear down...

You probally know this any way ah?

GB

[masteryota]

Hmmm ok so a pyro gauge changes as the rpm increases.. so it's some sort of constant reading on the engine temp. I understand that.
And when you see it go beyond the "normal" you usually see it's time to act.
I can live with that.
Sure going to need one.
Thanks again everyone
Matt

[honk]

Originally Posted by Gold Boy

A freind told me that they used to use pyro gauges on semi trucks as away of knowing when to gear down...

You probally know this any way ah?GB

Right. As I tried to explain above temps go up as engine load goes up so in practice the gauge will begin to read higher as a vehicle begins to climb a hill in the gear used to maintain cruise speed before the hill. So watching the gauge a driver can select a maximum temp level in that gear and downshift when it approaches. The downshift will lessen the engine loading and the temp will go down. As the hill continues to climb the process can repeat until a gear low enough to make the crest without lugging the engine is found.

It's actually much easier than I'm able to make it sound.

[tlcruiserman]

Originally Posted by masteryota

I've read a lot about 3b overheating and how much the stock heat gauges are crap. I've also read a lot on this forum that the add of a pyrometer is a must.
Therefor, before I go out there on my own looking for a pyrometer, wich one is the best?
I guess I'd mount it right under the radio with additional switches I could install later on.
Wich one do you suggest I go out for, and where could I get it?
On the internet perhaps?
Any websites anything would help.
Thank you
Matt

I run Autometer gauges, I have tried others but always come back to autometer gauges. Here are a few things to look for even with autometere guages. Buying the multiguage cheap pack (yup autometere does have those) you are wasting your money this is the cheap line and they are not that great. For the most part you get what you pay for with gauges. Depending on if you are running 24v or 12v you should check to see witch pyro you are buying there are some that still require 12 volts to run the guage on the pyro and others do not require 12v, I have found that ones that do require 12 for the pyro are more responsive and seem to be a little more accurate. I also make sure to look at the face of the guage and range it works in, there is no point in getting a boost gauge that go all the way to 50lbs when you will not go past 15lbs, better off to get one that goes to 20 or 25 that way the increments are easier to see and more detailed for your application. The same is true for temp gauge, on the 3B or any diesel you are going to be working in the 170-240 range where a gasser would be more 165-220 (just and example here) so get the gauge accordingly. Oil pressure is the same for 3B you want something that will go low as well as high maybe 10lbs up to 80lbs. Lastely my advice would be don't go cheap on aftermarket gauges spend a little extra if you can and buy the better gauges

I buy my gauges off the internet, you can shop around and find a slight difference in price but stick with a company you feel comfortable with, even if they are few bucks higher.

Just my 2 cents.

Cheers,

Michael

[David*BJ70]

Matt - Performance Improvement in Laval sell pyrometer (http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2685) for about 230 $ cdn : 450-688-4536

Salut

[crushers]

my last pyro kit from Mopac was 158.00 CND...

[Tapage]

This one ..

http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...h.asp&N=400267

[Greg_B]

Originally Posted by David*BJ70

Matt - Performance Improvement in Laval sell pyrometer (http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2685) for about 230 $ cdn : 450-688-4536 Salut

$156.23 Cdn from the local Auto Sense, no club discount, just walked in off the street. Autometer Phantom Pyro.

hth's

gb

[David*BJ70]

Originally Posted by David*BJ70

Matt - Performance Improvement in Laval sell pyrometer (http://www.autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?gid=2685) for about 230 $ cdn : 450-688-4536

Salut

Originally Posted by Greg_B

$156.23 Cdn from the local Auto Sense, no club discount, just walked in off the street. Autometer Phantom Pyro.

hth's

gb

Oups... désolé Matt. Je ne l'ai pas du tout !

You won Greg !