Electric vs Mechanical gauges: is mechanical still better?

[robroy]

Good evening!

While wading through the huge number of gauges available for my truck, I've started to wonder about whether or not mechanical gauges are really better or not (for water temp, oil pressure, and whatever else).

Since I'm planning on buying a dash panel from Haneline, I wrote them and asked about their gauges. The reply indicated that they don't make any mechanical gauges any more, because the electric gauges have improved so much in recently years that mechanical gauges aren't worth the hassle anymore like they used to be. (The hassle being mainly, as I understand it, having tubing carrying actual fluids up in to the dash from the engine.)

So how much have the electric gauges improved lately, and are mechanical gauges still more reliable and accurate?

Thanks for the excellent advice!
-Robroy

[warponyxlt]

I think that the mechanical oil pressure gauges are the better ones they are the most acurate in my opinion the only down fall to them is when they pop off or break they squirt all over you other than that what its up to you as what one would you believe for the best reading

[DuckRyder]

This is my opinion,

Part of the hassle of mechanical gauges is actually running that tubing as well. I've seen few engines where it didn't detract from the appearance of the engine as well, if such things concern you.

For anything short of a track only race car GOOD electric gauges will suffice.

I do keep a mechanical oil pressure gauge around for diagnosis, and use it on inital start of a new engine.

[robroy]

Hey Robert and Warponyxlt, thanks for the replies!

So is it true that electric gauges have improved a lot in recent years? And is that why the mechanical gauges still have such a hearty following?

The tubing for the gauges probably wouldn't bother me all that much as long as I was able to keep them tidy somehow, but I guess they're harder to keep tidy than wires for the electric gauges are.

Maybe I could go mechanical on the oil pressure and water temperature and electric on everything else?

Oh wait a minute--maybe those are the only two that I'd be using mechanical gauges for anyways?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[binder56jd]

what duck said 4 me 2

[papabug71]

I have seen guys run copper tubing instead of the plastic stuff for the oil press.

But the thing that chaps me is the temp. lead. You have to have a hole the size of a quarter to get the thing thru the firewall. Lucky for me I have the holes for the A/C that has long been removed, but it looks like ying-yang.

I plan on running a good set of electrical gauges for the under hood appearance. You can hide wires alot easier than tubing.

[oldschoolrods]

I also agree with duck ryder. Keep the mechanical gauge around for diagnosis, electric will work just fine for every day use, plus you don't have to worry about getting soaked in oil if that line comes off.

[averagef250]

Call me stubborn, but I prefer mechanical. Doubt they're any better than good electric ones, but they're simpler. I always ditch the plastic tube and run copper or stainless steel gauge line. My favorite gauges for oil pressure, temp and boost are phosphorescent aviation gauges. You can always read them and they have no electrical connections. Finding them can be a real pain though.

[FordTruck]

I have seen guys run copper tubing instead of the plastic stuff for the oil press.

That's what I used for my 70's oil pressure auto meter sells a copper tubing kit for that. I like it better than that plastic stuff if it gets cold it'll crack and break my brother had that happen to him one time pumped almost all the oil all over the inside of his old camaro. I do have the electrical water temp gauge and I like it and it seems really acurate too but everything else is mechanical.

[papabug71]

robroy, not trying to hi-jack your thread here. But, you & I might benifit from my question.

You guys that run the mech. gauges... How do you run the temp. probe through the firewall without cutting a big hole?? I plan on filling in the A/C holes in my firewall eventually. Hence the use of electrical gauges.

How do you guys keep it neat & clean??

[binder56jd]

papa--if u use s&w mech temp gauge--the sensor needs a smaller hole than the other brands i have drilled for(auto gage & sun something)--in today's world it's just not worth the hassle--go electric---imhop

[papabug71]

papa--if u use s&w mech temp gauge--the sensor needs a smaller hole than the other brands i have drilled for(auto gage & sun something)--in today's world it's just not worth the hassle--go electric---imhop

Thats what I thought. The gauges I have on the truck now are 15 year old wal mart made in china nexxus gauges. The probe on them is almost the size of a half dollar.

Im just going to run the elect. gauges i believe.

[fitzwell]

I vote electric. As stated, quality has improved over the years. Easier to install, cleaner apperance under the hood. FWIW, I have Autometer Ultra Light's in the 46. Accurate & no issues in 6 years. Grounding & good connections are the key to accurate readings.

and, as always..

[robroy]

Thanks very much for all the most excellent replies!

Does anybody happen to have a photo that illustrates an engine attached to mechanical gauges so I can see what that looks like?

Also, is it true that the water temperature and oil pressure readings are fed to mechanical gauges using the same ports/connections on the engine block that the electric sending units use? You just unscrew the sending units and plug in some terminal for the mechanical gauge tubing?

Thanks again!
-Robroy

[fitzwell]

Thanks very much for all the most excellent replies!

Does anybody happen to have a photo that illustrates an engine attached to mechanical gauges so I can see what that looks like?

Also, is it true that the water temperature and oil pressure readings are fed to mechanical gauges using the same ports/connections on the engine block that the electric sending units use? You just unscrew the sending units and plug in some terminal for the mechanical gauge tubing?

Thanks again!
-Robroy

Don't have a photo, Oil pressure depends on the gauge mfgr. Some use a large sender..(think stock 360/390) some have a small "switch" type sender. Water temp sender for a gauge looks like a stock sender. Both use the same ports as the factory setup. Most aftermarket gauge sending units have some sort of stud that you connect a ring terminal to for the signal wire to said gauge.