Alex Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I've got an oil pressure gauge to fit in my 1500 spitfire. Just trying to decide where to put it?Initial thought was on the left hand panel?Furthest away from driver but perhaps that's a good thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hilary says I shouldn't fit them to my cars, as I then start complaining about the low oil pressure. :'( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMPUS Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I've got a volt and oil pressure gauge fitted in the passenger side glove compartment and i can see it good. And it's far way so you don't look at it all the time :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 I guess I'll just go for the passenger side then,then it's there when I want to see it but hopefully not too distracting.It's just a bit daunting cutting my dash as they don't seem to be very common.......Just have to get it right first time ;D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMPUS Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I've done it like this .. Also made something in vinyl that i stuck to the bracket so the side/back of the gauges/connections where a bit hidden ;)(You will need to see the picture in a mirror because mine is LHD :P ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Thanks for the picture!My dash is black and I think I really should mount it on the dashboard itself but trying to decide if I should relocate the light switch and put the oil gauge in the centre instead....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harveyzone Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Not an Oil pressure guage, but I have a voltmeter next to the tachometer (where the heater vent would be on a GT6).I have a dual Oil/Temp guage in the centre section. These were put in by a previous owner so I didn't choose the locations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 Oh now you've given me another option.......The only concern with putting the oil gauge on the right is would it draw the eye too much? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad2408 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hate to give you another option but I mounted mine here....I've now changed all bezels to chrome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 7709 wrote:Hate to give you another option but I mounted mine here.... I've now changed all bezels to chromeI have to admit that's what I was thinking earlier....see above ;)Is there a gap behind or do I need to open it up?I think that's my favourite position.it looks wrong on the panel to the left I think...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouisW Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Hi alex, another option is to mount them in the H tower in place of a radio (unless you're running one). I made a plate for Leigh on this site for two gauges which sits out of the way. Just another option to add to the list above, I personally like the idea of mounting them below the heater box in the dash. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lee Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 I'm currently working on a 3 gauge centre panel as part of my dashboard refurb, years ago I made a 4 gauge centre panel.I like the gauge by the rev counter, it looks less after thought. I have also mounted instruments in the h panel radio blank which looks good.For my current 1500 I riveted a panel to the h panel to replace the radio blank and recovered the complete h panel so no need for a blanking panel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cook1e Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 here's mine, over the passenger side. I didn't want to make additional holes in an original wooden dash plus it makes the pipe run from the T piece a lot shorter too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjwman Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Nobody has mentioned a dual temp and pressure gauge.A very neat solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 6, 2014 Author Share Posted February 6, 2014 7586 wrote:Nobody has mentioned a dual temp and pressure gauge.A very neat solution.I looked at those prior to buying my smiths one. I didn't like the fact the water pipe was a capillary tube affair. Otherwise I agree a much easier solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harveyzone Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 7586 wrote:Nobody has mentioned a dual temp and pressure gauge.You mean, apart from when I mentioned the one in mine :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjwman Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 Got mine off eBay. Switched bezels to match and fitted with capilliary water temp and oil tubes. No probs at all. I look at it regulary and now know my cars habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nang Posted February 7, 2014 Share Posted February 7, 2014 I've put oil pressure and voltmeter gauges on the panel where the air vent is on Cook1e's car. Need to take it off first though.I've got an old adjustable 'tank cutter' with a centre drill bit and adjustable cutter.I used an old bit of 1/2" ply to get the diameters right, I managed two cuts to recess the Smiths gauges as per original. drilled the large diameter first for the recessed bit then drilled the gauge diameter halfway from both sides so as not to splinter the woodwork.Tony. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ad2408 Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Alex wrote:I have to admit that's what I was thinking earlier....see above ;)Is there a gap behind or do I need to open it up?I think that's my favourite position.it looks wrong on the panel to the left I think......Lots of space behind so fitting an extra gauge is easy :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferny Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 If it's a black dash, why worry so much about cutting it? Surely that's easier to make at home than a veneered one?Stick the gauge where you cans see it. At first you'll stare at it but once you get used to the car you won't and will treat is like the temperature and fuel gauges. There's absolutely no point in putting it in a hard to see place when it's probably one of the most important, you may as well not fit it! Also, keep in mind that if it's further away tired eyes will struggle to see it more which could lead to mis-reading it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Pete the black plastic dash would show up every mark if I get it wrong......But I agree in as much as it need to be in reasonable sight.I think I'm going to go for the centre position and resite my light switch and fog light switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Bancroft Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 Alex,All my cars have water capillary type temp gauges, I would not have any type. So much more accurate.I have a oil pressure gauge fitted where Wimpus has his mounted, can't see the problem with that place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B Posted February 8, 2014 Share Posted February 8, 2014 The black plastic dash is now quite rare as most 1300 Spitfire dashes were 'upgraded' to wood by their owners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 What about symmetry Tim, do you just not care!!I bought a nos smiths oil gauge and fitting kit for a very good price.... That helped sway my decision on the gauge :-)The biggest thing that conceren me with a capillary gauge was the end breaking off. This is what happened to my kenlowe fan years ago. It was only about 18 months old too!What pressure should I be looking to see on a four cylinder?... Same as a 6? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Richard_B wrote:The black plastic dash is now quite rare as most 1300 Spitfire dashes were 'upgraded' to wood by their owners.I know Richard that's why I don't want to cut a big hole and regret it :)How's wood an upgrade from black!! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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