Oil Pressure Guage

I recently started my 69 with a 350/350 after six months of storage. The oil pressure guage is registering "0", but it appears to me that oil is being sent through the system. The guage worked fine last Oct when I put it away. Does any one know how these guages work? could this be an electrical problem? Could the sending unit be "sticky" after storage or is the oil pump really not working? I am waiting to drive her until I hear from some one who can tell me. Thanks

Try momentarily shorting the wire from the sender to ground with the key on. If the meter pegs the wiring is all good. You would then need to look for a bad connection at the sender or a bad sender. You should be able to get the replacement sender at NAPA or similar stores. If the gauge does not peg there is either a problem with the wiring or the gauge itself.

I believe the oil guage is mechanical as is the case with my 73. Therefore, I would rule out anything to do with wires or the electrical system.

If there is in fact oil being pumped thru the engine (and you are sure of this)... I would say you have a stuck guage.

Big Fish said: Try momentarily shorting the wire from the sender to ground with the key on. If the meter pegs the wiring is all good. You would then need to look for a bad connection at the sender or a bad sender. You should be able to get the replacement sender at NAPA or similar stores. If the gauge does not peg there is either a problem with the wiring or the gauge itself.

his 69 should have an oil tube..

check to make sure the oil tube hasnt cracked open.. once they get old that can get really brittle and crack after sitting for while and suddenly filled back up.

My Bad You guys are right, that car should have been originally equipped with a mechanical gauge.

I had a stuck gauge on a 69, the coil was filled with sludge, easy fix is replace the gauge. The hard way is to clean the gunk out of the original gauge and the tube. I cleaned mine out with laquer thinner through the coil tube and it worked. I basically just flushed it through the fitting, it's a slow process.

Be careful with these mechanical gauges!!!!!

If you have a fitting leak or a cracked line you will most likely end up destroying your radio and your carpeting (please don't ask me how I know this, it's too painful to relive). If you end up replacing the gauge I recommend replacing the line as well, preferably with something a little more modern. Also, a tip; after you reinstall the center gauge cluster but before you reinstall the panel with the map pocket, drive the car a few times and then check the back of the gauge for leaks with a Q-tip and a needle nose pliers. It will put your mind at ease.

By the way, does anyone know what happens if you get air in the line? And if air is a problem, how can you get rid of it? It's virtually impossible to connect the gauge without an air bubble.



|UPDATED|6/18/2004 10:07:12 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

daveb12 said: I had a stuck gauge on a 69, the coil was filled with sludge, easy fix is replace the gauge. The hard way is to clean the gunk out of the original gauge and the tube. I cleaned mine out with laquer thinner through the coil tube and it worked. I basically just flushed it through the fitting, it's a slow process.

or just shoot come carb cleaner in the tube to flush it out..

gently shoot it though.. dont use full pressure..

ricknhis69 said: Be careful with these mechanical gauges!!!!! If you have a fitting leak or a cracked line you will most likely end up destroying your radio and your carpeting (please don't ask me how I know this, it's too painful to relive).

The owner before me lived through this nightmare. I replaced the carpeting when I bought it. Talk about a mess under the pass. side section. The backing was practically dripping with oil, very heavy.

JR

Our prayers to Paul Johnson and his family. May they have unlimited strength to cope.

The air in the line won't hurt anything. It just compresses and builds pressure. It won't change the reading. The air can actually be an advantage due to the fact the fluid moves a bit, and therfore does not tend to clog the line.