Gauges for Engine Break-In
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,424
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland FL
Gauges for Engine Break-In
I'm doing a frame off on my '81. In the next few weeks I will be finishing up the engine and dropping it in the frame. I'd like to break-in the engine at that point so that if there are any problems I can just take care of them at that time instead of waiting for the car to be complete and then finding a problem.
So, my question is about connecting gauges up to the engine during break-in. Can I somehow connect the stock gauges up to the engine during break-in or would it be easier to just buy a cheap set of mechanical gauges (oil press., water temp, tach) and use them for the break-in. The stock gauges are electric so far as I know so I'm not sure what all I would have to connect up to get them working. Summit sells a pretty cheap set of mechanical gauges but I hate to waste money.
Thoughts?
So, my question is about connecting gauges up to the engine during break-in. Can I somehow connect the stock gauges up to the engine during break-in or would it be easier to just buy a cheap set of mechanical gauges (oil press., water temp, tach) and use them for the break-in. The stock gauges are electric so far as I know so I'm not sure what all I would have to connect up to get them working. Summit sells a pretty cheap set of mechanical gauges but I hate to waste money.
Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
I would buy cheap gauges from Walmart or similar. Oil pressure and temperature are really all you need. Maybe you can borrow a tach somewhere, but it isn't crucial IMHO. You could take the dash apart and make the stock ones work, but I would rather use mechanical ones for what you are doing.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 206
From: Loveland, CO
I just used a cheap oil pressure gauge I had laying around from another project. I used my hand-held infrared temp gun to be sure temperatures did not get out of hand.
Everything worked fine, but that may be because Lars was helping.
Ralph.
Everything worked fine, but that may be because Lars was helping.
Ralph.
