Mechanical oil pressure gauge on a 71 notch-can it be done?

hpnotch Seriously Crusin Dubber

133 posts · joined Nov 2012 · 1 Jun 2014, 12:14 pm

#992085

Hi
I'd like to fit a mechanical oil pressure gauge to my 71 Notchback. I have not done this before, so a couple of questions i am hoping can be answered by the experts out there.

1. I'm guessing I'd need to remove the oil pressure sender for the idiot light, inset a tee piece and then reconnect the original sender,plus the capillary tube. Does such a fitting exist? Who might sell it?
and
2. Is there room for this?- seems the distributor would be in the way when i have a look.
and finally,
3. I assume the standard capillary tube supplied with the gauge will not be long enough - where should i go to get an appropriate sized length?
Thanks.
Any help/advice appreciated.

grumble Son of Jim - Creator of Good

2,672 posts · joined Jun 2008 · 1 Jun 2014, 7:40 pm

#992143

The switch fitting on the cooler pivots,I have used a mechanical gauge fitted to my Ghia for over 40 years i used a flexible pressure tubing which should be available along with all of the other bits that you wil need from Pirtek. Personally I would use an electric gauge these days as the possibility of oil leakage and the loss of an engine is high.

hpnotch Seriously Crusin Dubber

133 posts · joined Nov 2012 · 2 Jun 2014, 6:48 pm

#992268

Thanks Grumble
Have done a bit more research and discovered a supplier who sells 12 ft lengths of copper capillary tube, so I am hoping that the issue of leaks from split oil lines should be eliminated.
I have an old VDO mechanical gauge that I will use to keep the car fitted out with period items .