Bought a combo oil pressure/temp guage - a few questions!

Post by **ron77** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:33 am

Well, I ended up buying a combination (new) Smiths oil and temp guage.
Without having either the car or guage in front of me - car in the states; guage in the mail (it's new, and has a long wire coil attached fyi). I want to ask the following:

Do I need to also purchase a temperature sender sleeve for the block? My car was (originally) a 1970 Panda.If I do need to get one, where does one suggest? It's possible the sender may fit direct - but i want to be prepared for the problem if it doesn't.

Secondly, I have seen the article suggesting a sunPro plastic pipe for the oil pressure line. Others tell me aluminum or copper, as less prone to bursting. Any suggestions here - also where to source an aluminum or copper "kit" if I go that route?

Many thanks.

Post by **Kevin** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:47 am

Hi Ron
I would wait until you have the guage to hand to see exactly what it comes with as there may be a sender with it.
The sender goes on the drivers side of the engine (assuming right hand drive) below the thermostat housing area where there is probably a blanking plug unless a sender has already been fitted, I am sure someone will post a photo to show exactly where.
If you speak to Tony on the link below he should be able to advise on the pipe issue / differences as he is an MG specialist and very helpful.
http://www.mgbreakers.com/SparesIndex.html

Post by **ron77** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 12:55 pm

Kevin - many thanks for that - I will follow-up accordingly. I will see/start? the car next week, and know a whole lot more at that time.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:22 pm

If it's a 1098 engine there should be a plug in the cylinder head under the stat (as Kevin) has explained - but the 948 cylinder heads don't have this and you will need to make a different arrangement. There are thermostat covers available with a Temp GAUge take off - but of course then only reads properly when the stat opens. The new gauge will have a sensing bulb attached - be very careful with the connecting wire - if it breaks all is lost. For oil pressure you will need to fit a T piece if you want to retain the warning light (and you should !) - and a plastic pipe will be fine as long as it doesn't fret against a sharp edge. Parts readily avaialble from any Mini place. I'm surprised whoever is supplying the new gauge didn't 'sell' you these parts with the gauge !
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37438
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37666
http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=37667

Post by **Matt** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:39 pm

The coil of wire is the temperature sender. It filled with ether, and as BMC says if it breaks bye bye temp guage! Now be careful when putting it in, as the bulb can hit an obstruction inside the head (some do some don't) later midgets had a sleeve which moves the sender out avoiding this problem and these are avaliable from MG places.

Personally given the choice I don't use plastic pipe for the oil pressure guage, I have had one split and it was a pain to find where the oil was coming from because its not the obvious thing to look at! I bought a braded steel version from minispares

Post by **bmcecosse** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 9:44 pm

Didn't see a braided one on Minspares site Matt - do you have a link to it ?

Post by **Matt** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 10:35 pm

err I bought it a few months ago

this one I think http://www.minispares.com/Product.aspx?pid=38153

although im still to get it out of the bag! its made by a major manufacturer, goodridge I think

Post by **lofty1000** » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:00 pm

hi guys, this is the adapter I had to buy for my dual gauge water temp sensor to fit a 1275 head.

available here http://www.sussexclassiccar.co.uk/shop_ ... enter.html
look under Midget 1964-1980, then DASHBOARDS / GAUGES.

Post by **ron77** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:05 am

Many thanks for the valuable links - all duly ordered!