oil pressure sender wont fit

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 6:47 pm

please help, I tried to fit an oil pressure sender to my engine tonight (1275 marina) and it wont fit. Its just too big. I don't think an adapter will help because of the angle, It will hit the starter motor. I saw the picture of the one on the 1098 but the marina is much tighter. im thinking it must be put on a remote hose away for it to fit. Can anyone advise please?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:12 pm

Is it the correct one ? Should be 1/8" bsp taper thread. Normally quite small - and just screw into place. Is this 'sender' part of an electric oil pressure gauge ? May be better to fit a T piece (to retain the oil pressure warning light) - and a normal mechanical gauge.

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:19 pm

I think Kate (amongst others) found out that you need to remove the starter motor for access. It is then possible to screw in the T piece.

I am not 100% sure though, I only have a 970.4cc engine and a 1098

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:26 pm

sorry should have mad it clearer, its a sender for a gauge not the light, it is a 1/8 bsp taper but the unit is 50mm wide by 40mm deep. If anyone has a picture of one fitted that would help or what size T do I need. You can get to the fitting point by removing the distributor

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:28 pm

An electrical one? Or mechanical?

are you doing away with the warning light alltogether?

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:34 pm

yes, electrical. I plan to get rid of the light unless there is a reason not to,

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:40 pm

Keep the light - it catches your eye. That's a BIG sender - whole lot easier to use a good old mechanical gauge with a thin pipe to transmit the pressure from engine to gauge. Most Mini places will sell you a long T piece - which will move the sender out from the starter and you can put the pressure switch in the side port.

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:41 pm

Well, I kept it, otherwise the little green light doesn't come on when staring up, and that ruins symmetry

Shouldn't be a problem getting the sender in at all, as long as it is the correct thread and size, as BMCecosse states. Or is it a big sender, with a drum like end to it?

Onne

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:47 pm

Its a big one, I bought it from EUROPA at Exeter kit car show, The man assured me it was the one I wanted

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 7:52 pm

That might be a problem then. I don't know how much room there is.

What make of gauge are you using, if I may ask?

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:00 pm

Its a smith gauge. The mount hole is between the starter motor,pressure releif valve, filter and distributor

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:06 pm

Yes, not a lot of room. Can you ask the person who sold it to you what he or she thinks is a solution for this problem?

Onne

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:06 pm

For a gauge like that to work properly you will need a very good stabilised voltage source (or is it built in ?) - not sure the fuel gauge one will be good enough, it's kind of 'variable' , which doesn't matter too much for fuel but would make nonsense of oil pressure readings!!

Post by **Onne** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:08 pm

You can always put an extra one in. He needs to get the sender in first though

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:13 pm

Or trade it back for a more 'period' mechanical gauge which will fit easily and be accurate too!

Post by **wanderinstar** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:20 pm

Errr, I know this sounds stupid, but your not trying to fit the gauge directly to the block?
50mm x 40mm sounds about the size of actual gauge.

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:29 pm

now when I read the information about oil pressure gauged an electrical one was recommended, all I need to do is fit a hose with male and female ends but where would I get one. I didn't think it would be so dificult

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:38 pm

wanderinstar wrote:Errr, I know this sounds stupid, but your not trying to fit the gauge directly to the block?
50mm x 40mm sounds about the size of actual gauge.

no!!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:42 pm

Mechanical gauge (hydrostatic really) would come with the pipe and connections. Or readily available from any of the Mini suppliers. Your electric gauge will have no pipe - just wires I assume.

Post by **PAULJ** » Tue Nov 28, 2006 8:50 pm

bmcecosse wrote:Mechanical gauge (hydrostatic really) would come with the pipe and connections. Or readily available from any of the Mini suppliers. Your electric gauge will have no pipe - just wires I assume.

Yes but I could remote it to say the bulk head or top of the block, being told "you need a mechanical one" after paying £33 for the sender and £28 for the gauge isn't helpfull