oil pressure guage replacement?

[SANdMAN_the]

my combo guage had died a long time ago (cut temp line and the oil pressure reads 70 no matter what, even with the car off). I've been able to replace the temp guage with an aftermarket one, but the new mechanical oil pressure guage i have doesn't thread into the engine or into the coupler that goes into the engine (metric threads is what my local fittings place told me).

what have other people done for an aftermarket oil pressure guage? once i measure the coupler that goes into the engine, i'll be hitting the online retailers to see if they can help me out with an adapter of some sort.

i don't like the combo guage, i'm paranoid that if either the temp or pressure goes out, i'll have to replace the whole thing again. i like being modular...or maybe just stuborn.

thanks,
john

 

[BradHollister]

Autometer's 2 5/8" electric short sweep guage threaded right on on my 1275. They also sell hoses that thread right into the port on the block too...covering it to whatever guage you're using my be a trick, but I've always been happy with the electric Sport Comp Series.

 

[spritenut]

Any aftermarket oil gauge should work. the block fitting is 1/8" pipe thread and a variety of fittings can be found at most auto stores.
I just whipped up an oil gauge AND oil idiot light set up on my 1275 A40 the other night with about $3 worth of fittings from PepBoys.

Frank

 

[dklawson]

I was told the oil pressure hole in the block was 1/8 BSP. Regardless, I found 1/8 NPT fittings fit well without leaking. As others said, you should be able to use the fittings that come with the aftermarket gauges.

 

[SANdMAN_the]

thanks for the tips guys!

john

 

[Bugeye58]

[ QUOTE ]
I was told the oil pressure hole in the block was 1/8 BSP. Regardless, I found 1/8 NPT fittings fit well without leaking.

[/ QUOTE ]

1/8 BSP is 28 threads per inch, whereas 1/8 NPT is 27 TPI.
Close enough for government work, I guess, but not in my world.
Just crossthread something in there, as long as it works.
Jeff

 

[dklawson]

I knew the pitch was different but that never concerned me as much as the OD difference. 1/8 NPT has a larger OD than 1/8 BSP and shouldn't go at all.

I have used "over the counter" oil gauge line kits from places like Advance Auto which use 1/8 NPT fittings.

EDIT: There is a price when working with hearsay. I posted the thread size question at another forum where I spend time. A board member checked two of his A-series engines and found the oil sending tap in the block to be 1/8 NPT. This would explain why I had no problems installing "regular" fittings. However, it does seem an odd choice for BMC to have used this tap.