The Ford Barn

artron9 · 05-21-2019, 03:53 PM

Back again! Just when everything was working great, I noticed today that my oil pressure gauge on my 52 Vic was at zero and did not move. Up till today, it worked fine. It always took its time to get up to 50-60 psi but it would get there. My guess is its the sending unit. But then again it could be the gauge. Could be the original wiring? There is plenty of oil. Not sure where to begin. Don't want to spend $40+ on a sending unit if I don't have to! What would you do???

JSeery · 05-21-2019, 04:12 PM

I would add a mechanical oil pressure gauge as a backup to be sure there is not an oil system problem! It is most likely the gauge or the sender, but if it was me I wouldn't want to gamble.

39portlander · 05-21-2019, 06:48 PM

This is what I did on my 39, if you have the room on your 52 its nice when under the hood and tinkering. Its a nice way to compare the sending unit to an actual gauge.

I used the top outlet off the block and a short riser up to a ball valve with a gauge, usually there is a plug in that location.

flatford8 · 05-21-2019, 07:19 PM

Why the ball valve?....why not let it read the pressure all the time?......Mark

artron9 · 05-21-2019, 07:22 PM

Thanks 39portlander. Bought my 52 Vic from your neighbor in Freeport. Goldenrod Garage. Emotional purchase. My dad had a 52 same colors ivory top black body. Not sure where I could install that. Need help on that. Also, why a ball valve? Thanks for your input! Ron

Brian · 05-21-2019, 11:40 PM

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To check whether its the sender or gauge that's not working; take the wire off of the sender. With ignition switched on, get a helper to ground end of that wire, on the engine block or somewhere, whilst you observe the gauge....if the needle moves, it indicates that the gauge is ok. Do not ground the wire long enough for gauge to read maximum, else you may damage the gauge. If, when performing this test, the needle does not move, either the gauge is bad, or you have a broken wire or some other wiring issue.

39portlander · 05-22-2019, 04:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatford8

Why the ball valve?....why not let it read the pressure all the time?......Mark

That is an HVAC habit, we do not install gauges with out a valve below them.

Open valve check psi, close valve. Several years ago one of the local schools had a gauge failure, no valve and a few gallons of oil was discovered in the a.m.

51woodie · 05-22-2019, 06:03 AM

I'm not sure how a '52 compares to a '46, but I just went through the process of working on my oil gauge sender. The PO had removed the sender and installed a mechanical gauge. I wanted the dash gauge working and still have the mechanical gauge as backup. I couldn't access the back of the oil port on the engine with the floorboard out, (no removeable floorboard on a '52 I suspect) so had to do the job from the engine compartment. Still have bruises on my chest from laying over the fender. I have a set of 3/8" drive crowfoot wrenches, that along with an extension allowed me to work from the top to do the installation. I got some brass fittings from a plumbing supply, which I combined to have both the mechanical and electric gauges functioning. A couple of short nipples, a coupling and a tee fitting gave me the two ports I needed to do this. Orienting the tee and the mechanical line to clear the throttle linkage arm took some thought, and I had to realign (bend) the oil line that goes to the filter so it would clear the electric sender. I got the oil press gauge, p/n SWW-82208 and the tube kit p/n SWW-82553-F from Summit Racing

19Fordy · 05-22-2019, 07:31 AM

51woodie: Is there a "crease"in that oil line?

51woodie · 05-22-2019, 07:36 AM

19Fordy Sharp eye. No, that is plastic wiring loom that I slid over the oil line tubing to protect it from any potential wear.

artron9 · 05-22-2019, 08:20 AM

Thanks Brian and 51woody: I'll be out in the driveway in a few minutes and begin solving my problem thanks to you guys! Ron

artron9 · 05-22-2019, 08:22 AM

Thank you 51woody and Brian: I appreciate your input. Ill be out in the driveway in a few and will start to solve this problem. Again thanks to all of you who responded. Ron

artron9 · 05-22-2019, 03:13 PM

Thank you Brian. Your advice worked great. The gauge is ok. Getting the original sending unit out is something else. The problem is that the unit is attached to a brass fitting which right angles into the block. When i try to remove the sender, the brass fitting is moving somewhat sloppily on the block. I have to stabilize the brass fitting with a vice grip and try to wrench the sender away from the fitting. Tough spot to work in. Just venting . Not sure how you can help. Gotta do this on my own?

05-21-2019, 03:53 PM	#1
artron9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Lexington MA Posts: 133	oil pressure gauge Back again! Just when everything was working great, I noticed today that my oil pressure gauge on my 52 Vic was at zero and did not move. Up till today, it worked fine. It always took its time to get up to 50-60 psi but it would get there. My guess is its the sending unit. But then again it could be the gauge. Could be the original wiring? There is plenty of oil. Not sure where to begin. Don't want to spend $40+ on a sending unit if I don't have to! What would you do???

05-21-2019, 04:12 PM	#2
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: oil pressure gauge I would add a mechanical oil pressure gauge as a backup to be sure there is not an oil system problem! It is most likely the gauge or the sender, but if it was me I wouldn't want to gamble.

05-21-2019, 07:19 PM	#4
flatford8 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Lyman,ME. Posts: 2,623	Re: oil pressure gauge Why the ball valve?....why not let it read the pressure all the time?......Mark __________________ I'm thinkin' about crankin' My ragged ol' truck up and haulin' myself into town. Billy Joe Shaver

05-21-2019, 07:22 PM	#5
artron9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Lexington MA Posts: 133	Re: oil pressure gauge Thanks 39portlander. Bought my 52 Vic from your neighbor in Freeport. Goldenrod Garage. Emotional purchase. My dad had a 52 same colors ivory top black body. Not sure where I could install that. Need help on that. Also, why a ball valve? Thanks for your input! Ron

05-21-2019, 11:40 PM	#6
Brian Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Masterton, New Zealand Posts: 3,829	Re: oil pressure gauge Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To check whether its the sender or gauge that's not working; take the wire off of the sender. With ignition switched on, get a helper to ground end of that wire, on the engine block or somewhere, whilst you observe the gauge....if the needle moves, it indicates that the gauge is ok. Do not ground the wire long enough for gauge to read maximum, else you may damage the gauge. If, when performing this test, the needle does not move, either the gauge is bad, or you have a broken wire or some other wiring issue. __________________ Unfortunately, two half wits don't make a whole wit!

05-22-2019, 07:31 AM	#9
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,925	Re: oil pressure gauge 51woodie: Is there a "crease"in that oil line?

05-22-2019, 07:36 AM	#10
51woodie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Chelmsford, ON Canada Posts: 528	Re: oil pressure gauge 19Fordy Sharp eye. No, that is plastic wiring loom that I slid over the oil line tubing to protect it from any potential wear.

05-22-2019, 08:20 AM	#11
artron9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Lexington MA Posts: 133	Re: oil pressure gauge Thanks Brian and 51woody: I'll be out in the driveway in a few minutes and begin solving my problem thanks to you guys! Ron

05-22-2019, 08:22 AM	#12
artron9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Lexington MA Posts: 133	Re: oil pressure gauge Thank you 51woody and Brian: I appreciate your input. Ill be out in the driveway in a few and will start to solve this problem. Again thanks to all of you who responded. Ron

05-22-2019, 03:13 PM	#13
artron9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Lexington MA Posts: 133	Re: oil pressure gauge Thank you Brian. Your advice worked great. The gauge is ok. Getting the original sending unit out is something else. The problem is that the unit is attached to a brass fitting which right angles into the block. When i try to remove the sender, the brass fitting is moving somewhat sloppily on the block. I have to stabilize the brass fitting with a vice grip and try to wrench the sender away from the fitting. Tough spot to work in. Just venting . Not sure how you can help. Gotta do this on my own?