Gauges for 8.1 L

jbrnigan · 09-09-2005, 10:56 AM

Since I am a little obsessed with little details, I have decided to install actual guages in my Scottsdale coach. I am looking at gauges with electric senders for oil pressure, water temp, trans temp and engine oil temp. The water temp and oil pressure installations look to be pretty strait forward, brass tee etc. The engine oil and trans temp senders look to be a little more complex. On a previous 7.4 L engine, I had the drain plugs machined and tapped for the senders and it worked fine but they needed to be disconected to drain fluids and there was always the remote possibility of snagging the sender wire on some highway object and in the extreme, ripping the sender from the drain plug. So, has anyone completed a similiar project? What brand of gauges did you use and how did you work around the tranny and oil sender mounting issue? Thanks for your input.

jbrnigan · 09-09-2005, 10:56 AM

Since I am a little obsessed with little details, I have decided to install actual guages in my Scottsdale coach. I am looking at gauges with electric senders for oil pressure, water temp, trans temp and engine oil temp. The water temp and oil pressure installations look to be pretty strait forward, brass tee etc. The engine oil and trans temp senders look to be a little more complex. On a previous 7.4 L engine, I had the drain plugs machined and tapped for the senders and it worked fine but they needed to be disconected to drain fluids and there was always the remote possibility of snagging the sender wire on some highway object and in the extreme, ripping the sender from the drain plug. So, has anyone completed a similiar project? What brand of gauges did you use and how did you work around the tranny and oil sender mounting issue? Thanks for your input.

rvr2352 · 09-10-2005, 10:22 AM

I did mine the same way. i.e. using the drain plug fittings. I was always going to get around to putting a fitting in the side wall of the oil pan and the trans case but never did.It worked fine with the same downside risk to which you rSteveeferred.

YosemiteBobR · 09-10-2005, 10:33 AM

Are we talking 7.4 or 8.1? On the 8.1 there is a plug on the drivers side of the engine and I put the sender (oil) there. I then wraped it with heat foil insulation as it gets pretty hot in that area. For the trans temp I put a T at the oil cooler and put that sender there. Whereever you decide to put it as you learn you guage and watch the changes that will be your indication. I have always said a guague is used to show you the difference while driving in different conditions not to soley rely on the specific measurement shown.

ronboc · 09-11-2005, 03:59 AM

Hi YosemiteBobR -

Could you be a bit more detailed on where the engine-plug was for your oil sender? I found a couple, and wanted to be sure I was in the right spot.

TIA,
Ron

YosemiteBobR · 09-11-2005, 07:56 AM

ronboc:

Yes, it is right above the oil filter, the other one is water. If you use heat foil make sure you use the insulated wire connector and keep the foil away from the end of the terminal.