I am working on getting a mechanical oil pressure gauge as well as a mechanical water temp gauge.
From what I've read in the archives, it will most likely be a good idea to run a line from the coolant and oil passages to a tee attached to the fire wall, and hook up the gauges there - so as to reduce stress on the block.
Fine, makes sense, where do I sign up?

So next, a little Google on AN fittings, aeroquip and earl's and I have figured out that a -4 AN means -4/16 inch = 1/4" line. Cool.

Now, I believe the Autometer Oil pressure gauge comes with a 1/4" NPT fitting, and the water temp with a 1/2" NPT, which would mean that I need to get

a -4 line for the oil line, with a -4 to 1/4 NPT tee fitting.
a -8 line for the water temp line with a -8 to 1/2 NPT tee fitting.

Is that correct? I think it is, but since I haven't really seen my local home depot with AN stuff, I'd like to get it right before I order online.

Any insight WELCOME.

TIA

Edit - huh, I forgot that I need a ???NPT to AN hose end, depending on the size of the block's sender hole, and a AN to AN hose end on the tee side. Or a AN to NPT hose end, with a all NPT tee. Argh. The options are endless. Anybody done this and still has the grocery list?


[Modified by SJR, 5:41 PM 2/11/2003]

 

I can be of little help since I use electric gauges, but I can say from experience that the easiest way to tap into the oil passage is through the OEM oil sender hole (a 1/8" BSPT fitting, if I remember correctly). 1/8" BSPT to 1/8" NPT adapters can be found at most Auto Zone type stores. After that, you can use whatever fittings/hose you want. There is no reason you need to convert from NPT to -AN and back to NPT if that's what's on the gauge.

Also, -8 seems pretty big for the water temp gauge.

 

 

-3 all around.

-8 is waaay too big

 

Let your fingers do the walking and find your local industrial hose fitting place. I found one in Seattle and they were great to work with...

Kirk

 

thanks for the info guys - DB1-R81, awesome pics, thanks.

the reason I wanted to go AN was to use the fancy SS lines. Can you terminate those lines with NPT fittings? I must admit my gross ignorance in all that is plumbing...
thanks again.

 

Let me guess.... Fittings Inc. on 4th?

Nash

 

Auometer has the BSPT 1/8 to 1/8NPT brass fitting for the block for your oil pressure sender line. The adaptors come with their mechaincal gauge-you buy the TEE fitting and mount as suggested on the firewall and then figure out how to adapt the BSPT electric sender to that-Aeroquip, Earls, Russell may have that fitting too.
As for the AN part-we ran a -4 line from the block directly thru the firewall to the gauge. For your safety and the rulebooks call for this-you should/must use a braided SS line. Take the nylon tubing and put it away. The SS line will cost you around $50 complete and well worth it longterm. For our Water Temp we did away with the stock gauge entirely and have the Autometer Electric one plumbed direct to the port on the block. This setup is easier to do than trying to run the Mechanical unit and the reading is as accurate as the stock one as the sender is in the correct location and in proper contact with the coolant in the passage-a remote setup will not be as accurate. I might add that some folks will tap into the Thermostat housing-this does give a reading, but the accuracy is not there by comparison.

Whatever you decide to do-make sure that the loop shown in the drawing is there or that there is a good amount of sloack in the line. Also be sure to properly clamp everything down.

 

Yes you can. I am using a 3 AN line with a 1/8" NPT male to AN fitting male at the block. I use a AN male to 1/8" male & a 1/8" female to 1/8" female on my sender.

 

thanks again for the info. I think I just ordered everything i needed - we'll see when it comes in.
I seem to remember that Drew had used the stock sending unit for the water temp. Any issues with removing the stock one? (as in, does the ECU use that sender for anything other than displaying the temp?)

thanks
Sebastien

 

The stock sender does not transmit to the the ECU on our CRX. There is a different sender that does (2 wire one). If you are doing the Autometer gauge-you need to use their water sender which is a direct replacement for the stock one. You will have to run a wire from the sender to the gauge as it is not a simple matter to use the existing harness wiring.