Oil or water temperature?

[Arthurdaily]

Hi, I'm thinking of fitting a water or oil temperature gauge - but not sure what the difference is... beyond the obvious! Which one gives the most important reading? Thanks!

[mike.perry]

You should fit an oil pressure gauge and a water temperature gauge, these are available separately or as a combined gauge. Capillary gauges are easier to fit than electric gauges which require a voltage stabiliser.
Oil pressure on a Minor should be 60psi running and water temp 80 to 90deg, depending on what thermostat you have fitted

[bmcecosse]

Ditto.

[Arthurdaily]

Thank you, so as BMC has said on a previous post - the sender for the water temp goes on the thermostat housing - there is already an electric sender there actually, the car WILL be negative earth by the time I fit it... does that mean it still needs a voltage stabiliser / regulator?

The oil pressure sender... should that be capilary as well? I'm presuming then no electrics required except for a light bulb? And that, I'm presuming, goes on a 't' housing where the current oil pressure switch is? So you can still have the old one as well... correct?

Thank you!!!

[lambrettalad]

hi not all electronic gauges (modern ones) require voltage regulators,read the instructions and specs and check before you buy and you should be ok
hope this helps

[mike.perry]

Smiths electric gauges require a voltage stabiliser. Oil pressure gauges are usually but not always capillary and if you fit a capillary temp gauge they will match. I have just fitted an elecric temp gauge to match the ammeter and I cannot get it to read over 55deg