8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

I have reinstalled the oil canister on my 8ba and have installed an pressure shut off switch for the electric fuel pump and the stock oil pressure sending unit. In the photo the stock oil pressure sending unit is on the right side of the brass T fitting facing the fire wall and the pressure shut off switch is on the left side of the T.

My question is: If the stock oil pressure sending unit is installed lying on its side (as shown) ,instead of vertically, will it work properly?

Thank you.

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

Yep. Pressure is same whether veritcal of horizontal mounted in the same plane.
Phil NZ

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

8BA sending units (according to shop manual) will not operate correctly unless the arrow embossed on it is facing up when mounted horizontally. (something to do with gravitational forces)


https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/pictu...ictureid=42279

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

Put it on it's side and check with an ohmmeter it is getting grounded. Add pressure with an air hose to see if it will work. Lacking an ohmmeter you can connect it to your gauge and see if it works properly using your air hose. you will need a jumper to ground it.

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

Mine is on it's side & works fairly good according to the mechanical gauge under the hood.
Have no idea where the arrow is....unit is OLD....like me

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

Thank you for the helpful answers. The "arrow" requirement is new to me.
Is that true for pre 1949 V-8's also?

The 1949-51 Mercury Overhauul Manual explains how the oil pressure sending unit operates but, doesn't say anything about an arrow or required position of the sender for it to operate correctly. However it does show the unit being mounted vertically in it's stock position. Very interesting.

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

Believe the info may have been seen in '52-'53 manual and it applies to both Ford and Merc. that had the unit mounted horizontally.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...4&d=1577809250

Re: 8ba oil pressure sending unit question
 

51MERC-CT:
Thank you for the very informative follow up answer. I'll try the horizontal postion. I found this old thread that gives lots of interesting info about oil pressure sending units, their differences and their orientation.
https://fordbarn.com/forum/showthrea...3209&showall=1

On Jan 1, I did install both oil pressure pressure switch and the fuel pump shut off
switch horizontally as shown and both worked fine. Used crows fit wrench with ratchet handle and extensions to tighten fittings to back of 8BA block.