I have been wanting to install a mechanical oil pressure gauge for some time. I have heard that the stock electrical oil pressure gauge is only one step above an idiot light. So I made the plunge.
I decided to install a Sunpro gauge mostly because cost was an issue and I had heard good things about their quality. Overall the gauge was less than $25. In the past I have only used Auto Meter but I heard from a knowledgeable friend that I would not be unhappy. As for this thread, the install is no different.
On my particular 2f engine (83 fj60), the electrical oil pressure sending unit is attached to the rear bolt of the oil cooler. This is not the case with some 2f engines. I learned that the thread pattern on the 2f is 1/8 BSPT and my kit came with 1/8 NPT. I wanted to retain my electrical stock pressure gauge as well, so it would require a Tee fitting.
I ordered part # 4860K441 from McMaster-Carr. It is a 1/8 BSPT male tee fitting. I also ordered part # 4860K671, a BSPT female hex coupling in order to attach the stock electrical oil sending unit.
The Sunpro Mech oil pressure gauge came with a female hex (1/8 NPT) and it allowed me to install it over the 1/8 BSPT male fitting without any issues. Although I did the install using Loctite 545 and let it sit overnight. In fact all my connections were sealed with Loctite 545 and I let them sit overnight, even the connection to the back of the actual gauge.
I would highly recommend upgrading from the plastic tubing that comes with the mechanical oil pressure gauge to the more durable copper tubing. The copper tubing was around $7 for the upgrade.
The hardest part of the entire install is working under the dash. It is always a pain in the butt when you have big clumsy hands such as me. I was able to run the copper tubing through the firewall behind the glove box. Don't forget to install a grommet. Decades ago, I actually had the copper tubing wear through and rupture on the road once, because I did not use a grommet through the firewall. I lost all my oil almost immediately but was not far from home. It was a mess to say the least.
Hope this helps answer some of your questions regarding installing a mechanical oil pressure gauge on your 2f.
rating difficulty install, only because of behind the dash work is not fun.
I decided to install a Sunpro gauge mostly because cost was an issue and I had heard good things about their quality. Overall the gauge was less than $25. In the past I have only used Auto Meter but I heard from a knowledgeable friend that I would not be unhappy. As for this thread, the install is no different.
On my particular 2f engine (83 fj60), the electrical oil pressure sending unit is attached to the rear bolt of the oil cooler. This is not the case with some 2f engines. I learned that the thread pattern on the 2f is 1/8 BSPT and my kit came with 1/8 NPT. I wanted to retain my electrical stock pressure gauge as well, so it would require a Tee fitting.
I ordered part # 4860K441 from McMaster-Carr. It is a 1/8 BSPT male tee fitting. I also ordered part # 4860K671, a BSPT female hex coupling in order to attach the stock electrical oil sending unit.
The Sunpro Mech oil pressure gauge came with a female hex (1/8 NPT) and it allowed me to install it over the 1/8 BSPT male fitting without any issues. Although I did the install using Loctite 545 and let it sit overnight. In fact all my connections were sealed with Loctite 545 and I let them sit overnight, even the connection to the back of the actual gauge.
I would highly recommend upgrading from the plastic tubing that comes with the mechanical oil pressure gauge to the more durable copper tubing. The copper tubing was around $7 for the upgrade.
The hardest part of the entire install is working under the dash. It is always a pain in the butt when you have big clumsy hands such as me. I was able to run the copper tubing through the firewall behind the glove box. Don't forget to install a grommet. Decades ago, I actually had the copper tubing wear through and rupture on the road once, because I did not use a grommet through the firewall. I lost all my oil almost immediately but was not far from home. It was a mess to say the least.
Hope this helps answer some of your questions regarding installing a mechanical oil pressure gauge on your 2f.
rating difficulty install, only because of behind the dash work is not fun.
