O2 sensor and gauge install
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
O2 sensor and gauge install
I was wondering if anyone knew of any previously posted discussions on O2 sensor/gauge installation for old school carburetor engines. Probably fairly easy to do except it might be nice to know what equipment is recommended and some of the other tips learned during install. thx
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2018
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From: San Antonio, TX/Mahopac, NY
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The O2 bung is the hardest part, but you can easily fit a clamp on that only requires you to drill a single hole if you don’t want to weld it on. Summit Racing and others carry the gauge with sensor and clamp on bung. I welded a bung on my 3” exhaust when I was building it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 790
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From: Western NY
I put mine (the sensor bung) on the passenger side header collector. i put it at about the 2:00 position. not directly on top of the collector. i marked the spot while the header was on the engine then took it out to had the bung welded on. there was enough room to do it on the car if you have a 90 degree drill to drill the hole. pretty much just follow the directions that come with the unit. as Factoid mentioned you can clamp the sensor on if you want and also you can get a attachment that you stick in the muffler temporarily while you are tuning your carb - if you do not want to have it permanently mounted on the car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
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From: Thunder Bay
I installed one many years ago before they became commonplace. My first gauge was actually a digital multimeter. I welded my bung on my collector. I later learned that it should be mounted at the 2:00 position to allow moisture to drain off of it. Mine is at 3:00 but so far it has worked fine. Its the next best thing to fuel injection. Before I installed my O2 sensor my attempts at carb tuning were pretty much just guessing.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 429
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
I've read with the way modern gas is it is not a sure bet that examining your plugs will tell you what is going on very exactly anymore. I have an old sensor from an Infiniti, I suppose I could give that a try if they all use the same threads. Thanks for the comments!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 470
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From: Va.Beach Va.
Reading plugs (changing them often) to get the real condition of your carbs tuning will throw you off unless have good experience working with them for sure. Look at a 52mm AEM wideband air fuel gauge. Mounting the gauge close to eye level is key as you will be glancing at it a lot. Placements can be on the drivers A pillar or on top of the steering column as an example. The info provided by the gauge can compartmentalize each circuit for you to modify and verify your results. Placement and welding in a bung then a small amount of hi temp paint for corrosion control takes roughly 15min once setup. I mount them on the drivers side for ease of running the wiring. There are only 2 wires to connect. One ignition and one ground. The time consuming part is mounting the gauge itself as you want a "clean" appearence.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
There are a few threads on the o2/gauge installation. You can also mount the gauge by swapping out the clock. Looks nice and clean and the clock is not necessary. I just have a portable hookup for the gauge. When I use it for tuning I just run the cable/gauge from under the hood into the cabin and lay the gauge on the dash and remove it after tuning.
