oil pressure gauge

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Dec 1, 2005 | 07:33 PM

gator79

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Safety Car

Joined: May 2005

Posts: 4,176

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From: Jennings LA

oil pressure gauge

my 71 oil pressure gauge is not working. I currently have trhe dash out how do you test it? I may just bring it to the shop and hook it to a running engine. it is a manual gauge

Dec 1, 2005 | 09:55 PM

Gordonm

Race Director

Joined: Dec 1999

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From: Forked River NJ

Just replace it. They do go bad. They get full of crud and old oil. I cleaned mine a few times and it worked for a couple of months. The new one worked so much better and was more responsive.

Dec 1, 2005 | 10:12 PM

wombvette

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 8,918

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From: New Hill NC

They get stuck because of moisture and corrosion inside the car. Just take it apart enough to see the expansion tube and mechanism. Then place a little oil on the mechanism and tap on the tube. This should break it loose.

Dec 2, 2005 | 01:28 AM

jpw73vert

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Joined: Feb 2005

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From: Santa Monica California

i've also heard that you can have the rubber line changed to a metal one. the rubber one can decompose and if it does you've got oil squirting all over the place, a real mess.

Dec 2, 2005 | 02:06 AM

memLT-1

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Joined: Nov 2004

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You need to get another guage and hook it to your car and check the reading against your stock guage to verify if they are reading the same or not.Then do like gordonm says and get a new guage.

Dec 2, 2005 | 11:15 AM

GaryS

Melting Slicks

Joined: May 1999

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From: Moon Township PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by gator79

my 71 oil pressure gauge is not working. I currently have trhe dash out how do you test it? I may just bring it to the shop and hook it to a running engine. it is a manual gauge

One easy but slichtly messy way to check it is to disconnect the line from the back of the oil pressure and crank the engine (coil disconnected of course!) If oil comes out of the tube you have a gauge problem. Of course, keeping the end of the tube wrapped in a rag should keep it from dribbling everywhere. If nothing comes out, you may have a blockage at the line from the back of the block to the instrument cluster. I vote for the latter. Mechanical oil pressure gauges are very reliable. The line is easily replaced with a kit from most auto parts stores.

Another way to test it is to substitute an aftermarket oil pressure gauge setup from an auto parts place. That can be a little pricey just to troubleshoot something.

Gary

Last edited by GaryS; Dec 2, 2005 at 01:11 PM.

Dec 2, 2005 | 12:15 PM

markdtn

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 7,720

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From: Chattanooga TN

Common problem on the early C3s. Get a new one or have yours rebuilt. A better option is to convert to an electrical guage. Clocks by Roger can help with all of these options.

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