So where can I get a new oil pressure sender?

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Not at pep boys. Not at Autozone. Not at Advance Auto. I'm gonna try to order one from NAPA. All the others are too big. The entire sender is larger, specifically the top dome section. So it would fit, except the dome kps me from getting it started. That and the tab that is cast with the block just above the sender location. So has nyone with a 70's - specifially 78 - had luck getting a new sender in? Next option is usin bunch of slvent on the old sender, hoping to remove and gunk, orheading to pull a part and trying my luck. Any thoughts? I guess I could get out ye old angle grinder, but grinding on my engine s not something I ever want to do. So yeah. Thanks,


Daniel

[porkchop]

Best thing is to hook up a manual gauge. I have always trusted them more than the electrical. I will never use anything else. You can get them for under $30. Just my $.02. Did you try www.carparts.com (http://www.carparts.com)

Here you go:
http://www.carparts.com/parts/sample.asp?whichpage=2&reflink=0-0-0-0-0&sourceid=&parttypeid=17022&itemid=&pagesize=9

[ September 25, 2001: Message edited by: porkchop ]

[porchpiggy]

I got one for an 88 from CarQuest. Does yours have the elbow off the block turning towards the back? Can't you turn the elbo a little for clearance? Mine is pretty large so I think they might be the same. :cool:

[79 FSJ]

Mine works fine... I thought....

It was running the stock gauge... but I decided to go ahead and set up a nice triple gauge package under the dash... Mechanical set...

I bought a cheap set at the store and hooked them up...

Stock gauge at idle is at 5psi
New gauge at idle is 10-15psi

Stock gauge at speed 20psi
New gauge at speed 40psi

Stock gauge high rpm is 30-40psi
New gauge high rpm is 60-70psi

Big change...

Dave

[desert_freak]

Anyone ever have a problem over the response time of a mechanical over an electrical guage. In the past on my vw powered toys I would retain the stock electrical sender (and idiot light) and install a mechanical one for accuracy. I had been told in the past that if I lost all (or most all) pressure that by the time the mechanical registered 0 I would have engine damage already, so that I sould maintain the electrical one also. Extra insurance doesn't hurt but do you guys think you really need it :rolleyes:

P.J.

I have a nice Autometer guage I think I'll install :D

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Well, I have determined that all senders currently in production are made in the same factory in Mexico and are thus too large to fit my rig stock. I decided this after seeing every sender(including the one I will use from NAPA) in a similar box with the exact same piece of paper inside saying something like "this part may be larger than the OE part. Please check for clearance before installing" So the NAPA guy and I decided I should try adding a 45 degree elbow to see if i can figure out a way to get clear. There is already a 2" extension installed to clear the original sender from the oil filter. It won' t turn and I think it was held in by locktite. I hope I can make this work with the original gauge. I really ought to get a T-fitting and keep both electrical and mechanical, but I messed up the brass fitting on installation, and i don't really trust the fitting. It stays tight, but for how long. Thanks everyone,

Daniel

[ September 26, 2001: Message edited by: BIGYELLOW78J10 ]

[Veepster]

I am a fan of the electrical type..........never liked that little hose full of oil being routed to my dash.......just another thing to fail and cause havoc!...

which one is more accurate? no idea........

[BIGYELLOW78J10]

Veepster,
I keep on getting this cartoon-like image of driving down te road and suddenly the hose comes loose and it's wildly sparying hot oil everywhere and It's just a bad scene. So I prefer to keep my oil in my engine. Especially since I am using the cheapest mechanical gauge possible. One day I might add a top of the line mechanical gauge, since I think the quality control would bring about a higher accuracy gauge, but for now I want to be nice and stock.

Daniel

[J4GRAND]

I had an oil pressure line blow in an aircraft cockpit one time. NOT pretty especially when you are dressed in your pilot's uniform and wingtip shoes. What a frickin' mess!! Sat around in the airport all day with oil-soaked pants, socks, and shoes. this alone makes me thankful my good old elec. oil pressure guage works.