The Ford Barn

jim t utah · 09-09-2014, 11:16 AM

and recommendations for temp and oil pressure gauges, thanx jim t

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-09-2014, 11:49 AM

Oil pressure gauges just give a false sense of security as that system is not really under pressure. The water temp gauges are an improvement over nothing if correctly installed. I prefer the era-correct looking ones that mount to the underneath side of the instrument panel but the column mounted ones work well too.

TinCup · 09-09-2014, 12:24 PM

I haven't felt the need for the oil gauge but I went with this SW gauge that I special ordered from NAPA. I would love to find one of the era correct Boyce meters.

DougVieyra · 09-09-2014, 01:12 PM

I have one of the 'era correct' Boyce water temp. meters - but, sadly, the sending united does not work. However, I did install a close - looking "Apco" meter, with the three colors indicating driving range. Some A parts houses carry them; I got mine from Bert's.

Like others have said, the oil pressure gauge is mainly used to fill out the second hole in a two-hole gauge holder. Some, me for one, prefer the 'look' of the dual gauge holders over the single gauge bracket. My 'oil pressure' gauge is an original era 'Rex-a-Co', that has NOT been hooked up, but just fills the second hole in the dual guage mounting bracket.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif. 50 degrees at noon.

JohnLaVoy · 09-09-2014, 01:55 PM

I've used the Apco unit that clips around the steering column. Works well and modern gauges will fit in it. If you are still 6 volt you have to use the nonelectical feed units so the temp is fine but the rest all need electrical sending units. The oil gauge would work but as was stated you don't see any reading because of the lack of pressure. I run a tack on mine for the second gauge, but a volt meter would probably be a wise choice too.

CarlG · 09-09-2014, 02:14 PM

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These are Autometer gauges that I got from Amazon, the gauge holder from Berts (altered slightly). Tach on the left and Water temp on the right.

Purdy Swoft · 09-09-2014, 02:55 PM

I run the Apco dual oil & temp gauges on the upper steering brace on my late 31 tudor and run the Rexaco repro temp gauge under the instrument panel on my roadster. Mine all came from Brattons . I use the upper hose metal tube for the mechanical sending unit for my temp gauges . I could see no need or advantage in the expensive upper water neck connection, Too much risk of breakage . As others have said, the oil pressure guage is a waste of money ad effort and is a pretty much useless gauge . I would steer clear of the radiator cap temp gauges because the biggest thing that they are good for is ruining the radiator neck .

gwhite · 09-09-2014, 04:30 PM

Period Rex-A-Co gauges; the temp gauge is dated 1932; the oil pressure 1934.

TinCup · 09-09-2014, 04:40 PM

Great looking gauges. I had 2 different Repro Rex-a-co gauges go bad. One was off by 20 degrees and the dial on the other one wasn't pressed on the metal wire that turns.

I am always looking for period gauges at swap meets.

09-09-2014, 11:16 AM	#1
jim t utah Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 8	temp and oil pressure gauges and recommendations for temp and oil pressure gauges, thanx jim t

09-09-2014, 11:49 AM	#2
BRENT in 10-uh-C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern Tennessee Posts: 11,970	Re: temp and oil pressure gauges Oil pressure gauges just give a false sense of security as that system is not really under pressure. The water temp gauges are an improvement over nothing if correctly installed. I prefer the era-correct looking ones that mount to the underneath side of the instrument panel but the column mounted ones work well too. __________________ . BRENT in 10-uh-C . www.model-a-ford.com ...(...Finally Updated!! ) .

09-09-2014, 01:12 PM	#4
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,733	Re: temp and oil pressure gauges I have one of the 'era correct' Boyce water temp. meters - but, sadly, the sending united does not work. However, I did install a close - looking "Apco" meter, with the three colors indicating driving range. Some A parts houses carry them; I got mine from Bert's. Like others have said, the oil pressure gauge is mainly used to fill out the second hole in a two-hole gauge holder. Some, me for one, prefer the 'look' of the dual gauge holders over the single gauge bracket. My 'oil pressure' gauge is an original era 'Rex-a-Co', that has NOT been hooked up, but just fills the second hole in the dual guage mounting bracket. - Doug Vieyra, Eureka, Calif. 50 degrees at noon.

09-09-2014, 01:55 PM	#5
JohnLaVoy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 779	Re: temp and oil pressure gauges I've used the Apco unit that clips around the steering column. Works well and modern gauges will fit in it. If you are still 6 volt you have to use the nonelectical feed units so the temp is fine but the rest all need electrical sending units. The oil gauge would work but as was stated you don't see any reading because of the lack of pressure. I run a tack on mine for the second gauge, but a volt meter would probably be a wise choice too.

09-09-2014, 02:55 PM	#7
Purdy Swoft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Alabama Posts: 8,099	Re: temp and oil pressure gauges I run the Apco dual oil & temp gauges on the upper steering brace on my late 31 tudor and run the Rexaco repro temp gauge under the instrument panel on my roadster. Mine all came from Brattons . I use the upper hose metal tube for the mechanical sending unit for my temp gauges . I could see no need or advantage in the expensive upper water neck connection, Too much risk of breakage . As others have said, the oil pressure guage is a waste of money ad effort and is a pretty much useless gauge . I would steer clear of the radiator cap temp gauges because the biggest thing that they are good for is ruining the radiator neck .

09-09-2014, 04:30 PM	#8
gwhite Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Texas: Where Bob Wills is still the king! Posts: 354	Re: temp and oil pressure gauges Period Rex-A-Co gauges; the temp gauge is dated 1932; the oil pressure 1934.

09-09-2014, 04:40 PM	#9
TinCup Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: OKC / Tonkawa, Ok. Posts: 1,977	Re: temp and oil pressure gauges Great looking gauges. I had 2 different Repro Rex-a-co gauges go bad. One was off by 20 degrees and the dial on the other one wasn't pressed on the metal wire that turns. I am always looking for period gauges at swap meets. __________________ Oklahoma City Model A Restorers Group.