Electrical Oil Pressure Gauge on a 1985 5.0?

[Billy]

Since my car seems to be having oil pressure issues, I was wondering if I'd be able to easily wire up an electric oil pressure gauge. I have an extra Auto Meter 3327 gauge and there's an Auto Meter 2422 sender that I could cannibalize off my other car if it'd fit. I know on 4.6s, there's a place right on the oil filter adapter that an electrical sender can screw into. Is there anything like that on a 5.0? If so, where exactly is it? (Pictures would be helpful) If not, what is my best option?

[Mike_Windsor]

I know on my 1896 Mercury Grand Marquis LS there's only the one port for the existing oil pressure sending unit (5.8L 351 Windsor). I'm getting my oil gauge hooked up before September is out, and he told me that he'd have to "plumb" in the oil line to the existing sender unit if I wanted to keep my Engine light connected to the sender...

Dunno if that helps any.

[Billy]

That does help. It's beginning to come to my understanding that the check engine light on a 1985 is similar to the oil pressure gauge in a 92+, in that it's an on/off switch that triggers when oil pressure is below 6psi and doesn't do much else. If the check engine light on an 85 doesn't have any functions other than that, then I'm fine with disconnecting it.

[BlackVic_P71]

Since I haven't checked yet, are there any space issues getting a sender in there?

I know on my '05 CVPI I T'd off the oil pressure port to get the sending unit in there with the stock one and there was very little room with the oil cooler lines in there.
Then I figured out that the car doesn't care to see the signal from the stock sender(the PCM apparently doesn't monitor oil pressure) if you're not using stock gauges.

[marquisman]

Just find an oil pressure sender and extension adaptor from a 5.0 mustang. Should work

[Billy]

Since I haven't checked yet, are there any space issues getting a sender in there?

I know on my '05 CVPI I T'd off the oil pressure port to get the sending unit in there with the stock one and there was very little room with the oil cooler lines in there.
Then I figured out that the car doesn't care to see the signal from the stock sender(the PCM apparently doesn't monitor oil pressure) if you're not using stock gauges.

On my 2003, the auto meter sender fit perfectly fine with room to spare, but I think I've only used it after I swapped in the non-p71 filter adapter.

If it's the case that 85 has a "fake" sender like all the newer panthers do, then I assume I can do the exact same thing and just swap the old sender out for this and wire it to a gauge.

[Billy]

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?1574-Complete-box-panther-gauge-installation-how-to&p=14129&viewfull=1#post14129

Well this confirms my suspicious and answers my question, but unfortunately the pictures are dead and those would have been really helpful.

[fmansfield444]

I will be adding one to my 85 soon, I tried the other day but it seems I may need to remove the oil filter to get a socket on the old sending unit, so it seems it will have to wait until next oil change. But if you are keeping the dummy light then you will need a t fitting.

[Mike_Windsor]

That does help. It's beginning to come to my understanding that the check engine light on a 1985 is similar to the oil pressure gauge in a 92+, in that it's an on/off switch that triggers when oil pressure is below 6psi and doesn't do much else. If the check engine light on an 85 doesn't have any functions other than that, then I'm fine with disconnecting it.

The check engine light on my car and cars similar to it, as far as I know, has two functions.
- low oil pressure
- high engine temperature

The only other time it should ever come on is during a bulb check or when the car is turned on with the engine turned off. Both reasons are fairly catastrophic.


That being said, I told my mechanic I didn't care if the engine light was disconnected. He pointed out to me that I might not notice the gauge dip down to under, say, 10psi in time to turn the engine off to prevent damage, but the Engine light coming on would grab my attention immediately...

Something to consider.

[87gtVIC]

You will need to remove the idiot light sensor located next to the oil filter. Funky sized socket will be needed.

You will need to get a hand on either a truck or mustang oil pressure extension tube(adapter). I have for sale or you can purchase from ebay.

Put the extension in the block and put your sender right at the end of it and all will be well. Just simply run a sender wire from the sender to your gauge for its signal.

[pantera77]

The only port really is where the factory dummy sensor goes in. I simply deleted it on my 89 (and soon will on my 91), but I also always keep an eye on my gauges. You will need to move the new sending unit out for room. I had a factory extension piece laying around from some random engine. Best bet for one will be some 5.0/5.8 F150 in the junkyard. Or you can always just use some copper pipe fittings to make it work.

If you use a factory piece, it ends up looking like this:



And the factory dummy sender you will be deleting.

[Billy]

That's perfect Zach. Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a million!
How does the extension piece attach exactly? I might try to find one of those.

[87gtVIC]

Just threads into place.

[85crownHPP]

Ah, that's my old thread... the pics were on Cardomain, they must have moved stuff around. I'll see if I can fix...
edit - blah, those pics sucked. time to get new ones!
Zach, may i use one of yours?
Everyone feel free to put pics of their gauge senders (original and replacement, temperature and oil psi, and any other hook-up for other gauges work too) here if you have some good ones. Pics of the actual gauges are not necessary. I'll collect them for use in a dedicated local web page that I'll probably never make, as part of the box panther resource I've been working on and will probably never finish. I should at least put up what's there so far...


To Billy:
Go ahead and get a temperature and volt gauge too

A few of us have had copper fittings break when used as an oil adapter... definitely use the F150 adapter. I can get you one if need be!

[pantera77]

Zach, may i use one of yours?

Why of course.



The F150/Mustang extension pieces are really nice. Easy to thread in and tighten, and it puts the sender at a nice angle too. Any other idea of what car's (if any) came with them? Also something new to be looking for on a trip to the JY...