Water temp and oil pressure gauges

[Maystro]

Hi, just looking for some new gauges.
I need an oil pressure and water temp gauge.
I think I have been pretty lucky in the last 30 years plus, just relying on the standard wired temp sensors coming off the block.   
Should I be using some mechanical sensor connector to the block and any recommendation on gauges?

Thanks Brad

[moemoke]

I used the SAAS brand as they had the ones I needed, Volts, Temp, Oil pressure and Vacuum and a matching tacho, got them from Autobarn

https://www.shopsaas.com/saas-water-temp-gauge-40deg-120deg-52mm-black-muscle-series-sg-wt52b

[Terry]

Hi,

I tend to like VDO gauges but any decent brand is worth considering. The important thing to me is making sure you can get a sender unit that suits the thread in the head or block or an adaptor is available.

I also prefer to go with the electric sender units rather than mechanical/capillary as they are a lot less fuss when you have to disconnect them to remove an engine or make changes. The sender units must be the the correct one for that gauge or you will get oddball readings.

Terry

[Maystro]

Thanks Moe, those SAAS gauges look pretty trick.  It says they are electronic so does that mean I don't need a capillary pipe which Terry was talking about? 

Terry if I go with electronic sender gauges can I use my existing sender out lets from the block and head and just plug the wire to the existing spade terminal.  Or does each new gauge rely on it's new sender unit?

Thanks Brad

[Terry]

Terry if I go with electronic sender gauges can I use my existing sender out lets from the block and head and just plug the wire to the existing spade terminal.  Or does each new gauge rely on it's new sender unit?

The sender normally matches the gauge so it is easiest if you get the sender that works with the gauge.

If the Moke has previously had gauges fitted then the snders in your block may be useable, you need to look at the sender closely and see if you can read the brand and range that, for example, VDO will have stamped in the flats of the sender.

If you are possibly referring to the sender in the oil pressure connected to your light on the dash then it is a only an on/off sensor and can't be used with gauge that is expecting an electrical resistance across a wide range.

Terry

[Maystro]

Ok thanks Terry.

I have found this seller who specialises in VDO gauges.   I like VDO gauges too because we use them in some of our heavy machinery at work.

 https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133501148024?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28

It comes with a 1/8 NPT thread sender. 

By any chance would you know if the standard water temp sender in a 12g202 head has a 1/8 NPT thread? 

Thanks Brad

[Maystro]

Ok I stopped being lazy and worked out that the water temp sender unit hole on a classic mini head is 5/8 UNF. 

Most of the gauges seem to come with a 1/8 NPT sender unit. 

I found this brass adapter which converts from male 1/8 NPT to 5/8 female UNF which should do the trick. 

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/153488346784?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=153488346784&targetid=1137570801346&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9068947&poi=&campaignid=10101784961&mkgroupid=102311923620&rlsatarget=pla-1137570801346&abcId=9300367&merchantid=9646662&gclid=CjwKCAiAsOmABhAwEiwAEBR0Zrappt7TuAzZqgzu4WE48WFS5H3AXBAXoiyfM5-A1u4r45ePttNQWhoCAQ8QAvD_BwE

As for the oil pressure sender unit on the block it looks like it is 1/8 NPT or some British equivalent which is close enough to thread in  which will be a compatible fit with most gauges that come with 1/8" NPT sender units. 

Is this correct? 

Thanks Brad

[Terry]

As for the oil pressure sender unit on the block it looks like it is 1/8 NPT or some British equivalent which is close enough to thread in  which will be a compatible fit with most gauges that come with 1/8" NPT sender units. 

Is this correct? 

Thanks Brad

The 1/8 NPT sounds correct as it is a very common size. My mechanical hand held oil pressure gauge just screws straight into the thread with no adaptors.

You may also need to look at an extension so that you can fit the sender and the factory fitted light switch and clear the distributor, particularly if you have a vacuum advance on he dizzy. It doesn't have to be as fancy as this, they come in plain brass, https://www.vpw.com.au/parts/pfe375-m18 . Depending on your clearances the gauge sender goes in the side and the light switch in the end.
 
Terry

[Maystro]

Moe I ended up going with the same SAAS gauges you recommended because I like the 270 degree sweep over the VDO gauges.   I just made sure they were the Muscle car series like yours not the basic model which Supa cheap sell after all every Moke I know is a pretty wild ride ;-)

Terry that NPT extension looks the goods too especially in blue.  I definitely want to hook up my little green light bulb in my speedo to warn me of low oil pressure.   The more gauges you put on the less you pay attention to them but I am always looking at my speedo. 

Amazingly I couldn't find one seller that stocked all the three parts that I need to fit a little ol gauge to my Moke so I'm up for 3 lots of shipping.