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Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 4:09 am
by AndrewT
How and will this gauge work if I fitted it? Any help would be great!!

Have been told I can tee off my vac pipe?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Smiths-new-va ... _500wt_922

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 7:54 am
by Jefftav
It will work and it does need the engine vacuum to work just make sure you don't leave any air leaks. I used to have one in my car many moons ago and it was a distraction and can't say I noticed any significant difference. If you are worried about fuel consumption it's best to make sure your engine is serviced and your Morris is running properly e.g. brakes not sticking. Then just drive sensibly trying to predict traffic to avoid uneccesery use of brakes and heavy acceleration keeping in top gear as much as possible.

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 8:20 am
by dalgrae
I agree with the other post I also had one in a car years ago and you tend to try and drive to the gauge ie keeping the needle in the green .I then decided to remove it and drive as normal , best decision ever

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:19 am
by bmcecosse
£22 for that piece of junk ? Are you mad????? And if you T anything off the vac connection to the dizzy - you will upset the vac advance/retard there. Name me a modern car that has one of these silly gauges fitted........ It's a waste of time and money...

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 12:38 pm
by JOWETTJAVELIN
Essentially a bit of bling, they are no use because keeping the needle in the green means easing off the gas until you crawl to a halt.

I have fitted the other Smiths vac gauge to my car and, as others have said, it is at best an ornament.

To fit requires drilling and tapping the inlet manifold (removing it first to avoid swarf falling into the engine) and connecting it up with a pipe.

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 12:58 pm
by AndrewT
Thanks a lot guys! Il shall be giving that a miss what about a temp gauge though?

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 1:21 pm
by plastic_orange
They used to be sold as 'economy' gauges. Essentially, you try and drive in the lower end of the gauge, as putting you foot down sees it in the red. They were also used to check the 'health' of your engine, but I'd guess if it wasn't good you'd soon know.
Having said that, I have one on my car, and I find it useful to check the idle. Mine cruises lovely at 80 with the needle in the lower end of the 'cruise' section :D
My gauge has more segments than the one advertised which is purely an 'economy' gauge.

Pete

Re: Gauges

Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 3:21 pm
by mike.perry
If you want to spend money on gauges then buy oil pressure, water temp and ammeter gauges