How to install Mechanical Gauges by Autometer, Part 1 - Water Temperature

[@FastMonty]

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[@junechris]

I was wanting to install a set of autometer gauges for coolant temperature, boost, and possibly either voltage, or oil temperature in my 1995 Saturn SL2 series in the pillar style mounting in between the windshield and driver side window. I'm going to do a full engine build and a 14-15 PSI turbo, with the 5 speed manual, a roll pin for the diff pin and convert the Differential to limited slip and upgrade the engine management to an AEM EMS 4. Just gotta borrow some money from my credit union in 2-3 months to fund it, and do it all at once....lol Are there multiple places u can mount the sensor probe I guess?

[@FastMonty]

@@junechris Nice project you have lined up... yeah, it depends on the engine, but as you noticed you can also splice into one of the radiator hoses, for the temp probe. Oil temp is a different story, you might need to weld in a bung into the oil pan to mount that one. Unless there's an accessible port? Have fun, and thanks for the comment!

[@junechris]

@@FastMonty Good idea for the Oil temp, at least that's in the realm of possibility. I'll tell ya though, it's not easy to build a SL2. Even when there was at least some aftermarket support for it. Luckily the machine shop can take care of the bulk of it and adding boost. Not sure if I can even find Saturn flat faced valves for it anymore and u can't increase the revs on the engine due to the way it's stroked. Can only increase displacement and do head work, etc. The valves are already a 3 angle also so going further is a waste of time. But is actually has a foundation for increasing the displacement up to 2 liters and still do it safely. It all depends on what you go with, nitrous, turbocharge, etc.

[@FastMonty]

@@junechris I feel your pain, especially when you want to get creative. Stay focused, you'll find the right solution.

[@johnelliott7375]

Mounted a set of the same thing you get today back in the 1990's and they work just as good as that day I installed them in the car decades ago. Auto Meter guarantee that you are going to get the job done.

[@FastMonty]

What an awesome testimonial for Autometer. Thanks!

[@johnelliott7375]

Great choice of gauges for the AutoMeter mechanical gauges are the best ,closest ,more reliable than the rest of types of gauges. If good enough for the professional professor car builds, NASCAR, NHRA, and so on my vehicle is well worth the extra couple of dollars. Great day to you all and nice job.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks John... agreed!

[@bobeaseshop9389]

I am SO happy you have done this. I have put three of these in and love them. On the 1970 Triumph Spitfire it was kind of a pain but it's just perfect - had to work on where the sender went in the cooling stream but did it. I then put one on a 3 cyl diesel Kubota motor grader and that was a breeze! Then put one on my 1964 Pontiac Bonneville where I gave up and made a new gauge panel out of plywood to hold a new AutoMeter programmable fuel gauge (love that thing) an air/fuel gauge, a mech oil gauge and a mech temp gauge (with some fancy switches to run the cooking fan, fuel pump and the air/fuel gauge. This is the and only way I can know what's going on with any hope of accuracy in a car that mostly depended on warning lamps. Your tips and tricks, to trick yourself too, are almost exactly what I do. Put things in my way to trip on them so not to forget, tape things, try to make thing neat and different. It was so good to see you do this and show the best methods. Hurts to drill into these old cars but we do try to limit that and hide it the best we can. Great work and showing the work, and other methods from AutoMeter, was perfect. By the way my oldest sister got a 1968 GTO new and it had hidden headlamps.... green with black vinyl top but it was an automatic. Her boyfriend had a 1965 GTO that was factory yellow but he later painted it black because the police knew the car and knew he was going to speed! The he drove it until the driver door fell off! I could not believe it but the door fell onto the road! I love my 64' Bonnie drop head and only have 100 miles on a total 389 rebuild so I'm right there with you. Keep the good work coming and I'll be tuned in. I lost my 2000 subs to a hack and only have 12 now so you keep showing the way! If you want to look at my method to this gauge thing we must do... you may get a laugh! Bobby

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Bobby! Great story, and even better testimonial. I'm glad at least two of us do what it takes to make it look clean, while being super affective at our end goal... monitoring our newly built engines. Bummer about your subs... hope you recover quickly on that regard!

[@bobeaseshop9389]

@@FastMonty Thank You Sir

[@tedgeldberg6498]

Since I can barely see through the clouded lenses and dim lighting of my original gauges on my '68, this was a timely post. I am in the process of ordering new gauges for my Pantera now, so I guess I now know what's next. Thanks for a great post.

[@FastMonty]

Ha! You're welcome Ted! Have fun!

[@luther3p]

When you said "let's start the car and check the temp" I said to myself..."I hope he put that coolant back in". Good catch! Wouldn't want all that work to be damaged by overlooking something simple (usually it is something simple that ends up getting us sooner or later).

[@FastMonty]

Yeah, that was real... real dumb. Ha, ha... Glad I caught it too! Thanks for the comment.

[@dlinder7]

Thanks a ton for this video!! I feel better about dropping one in my 69 now!!

[@FastMonty]

Great to hear! You're going to love knowing what the "actual" temperature is, at all times. Have fun!

[@RestorationObsession]

Autometer makes great gauges. I installed their vac gauge under the hood rise on my vette and it looked so cool lit up under there... until I drove in the rain and my installation blocked the wiper motor haha! This was informative and fun to watch. =)

[@FastMonty]

Ha! I think we've all done something similar... install something cool, then later it interferes with something else. Thanks for the comment!

[@johnelliott7375]

I'm telling you don't complain it is going to be well worth the extra effort to make sure you have a exact reading of volts, pressure, and temperature, etc you can get.

[@FastMonty]

No complaints here. I love em!

[@stevo6274]

I like this video.. you are the man 💪🏿

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Steve-oooh!

[@dw.7655]

Hi Monty, great video on the water temp gauge. I have a 1986 Ford F-150 with 302, 5 liter Fuel Injected V-8. Stock dash gauge gives me readings all over the place. Driving me nuts, wondering if the temp is correct. Had the sending unit replaced by a repair shop a few years back. So your video has inspired me to look into a mechanical water gauge. Looks like perhaps I'll be doing it next spring as cooler weather is moving in here in the Northeast. I just hope I can find another port in the intake manifold. If not, I'll probably have to insert that adapter into the upper radiator hose. Thanks for posting the video. Beautiful GTO. I certainly remember them when I was in High School. !!!!!👍👍

[@FastMonty]

Great to hear I helped with some inspiration! Yeah, I'm getting old, the car is getting old, lol I now want some redundancy with all my gauges. Good luck on your project, and thanks for the comment!

[@byronbrown5838]

As another commenter said- timely video thank you! Thanks for the part numbers 👍

[@FastMonty]

No problem! Good luck!

[@m.shamim4453]

I am using ur this on my 68 mustang.. thank you

[@FastMonty]

Great to hear! And, welcome!

[@puddleduckist]

Very cool, I have Auto Meter liquid filled gauges in my goat and I used the braided lines as well, no plastic that can leak. I also have the fuel pressure gauge as well, works great. I used the separate gauge cups that can be adjusted. Lookin good, ur goats one bad mutha!!

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Bane! Yeah, loving the added re-assurance of knowing what's going on, without any electrical to worry about.

[@johnkennedy8452]

Now ,I know you already are aware but I'm going to say it anyway . Mechanical are dead on what you read is what it is . yah they're the most difficult to route , but in my opinion they are the most accurate. Good choice with Auto Meter and good call on painting the face plate.👍✌

[@FastMonty]

Thanks John! Thanks for re-stating that fact... dead on balls accurate. LOL

[@johnkennedy8452]

@@FastMonty like the reply.😂

[@fastkelly2602]

Nice! Second opinion/backup gages! I got oil, temp, volt. Cobalt (cool blue)😎

[@FastMonty]

Ha, ha... yeah, now first opinions. ohhh, that blue must look sweet! Thanks Kelly!

[@nursecuenca]

Did you ever do a video on fixing original temp gauge reading too low? Great fan of your channel.

[@FastMonty]

Hey Nick... I have not. But, great idea! I'll add it to my list. Thanks for the comment, and being a part of the FMG family.

[@stevo6274]

What about Foxbody guys

[@FastMonty]

Uh oh... did I discriminate against non A-Body's? Ha, ha... this gauge should work for any make/model/year, etc... as long as you have a good location to insert the probe. Is that what you're after?

[@stevo6274]

@@FastMonty just kidding I like you content very accurate 💪🏿

[@FastMonty]

@@stevo6274 Ha! Thanks!

[@josephnubile1970]

Hi Mike could you please tell me what size drill bit you used and what kind of screw did you use to secure the mounting bracket. Im putting the same set up in my GTO with Autometer carbon fiber guages.

[@FastMonty]

Hey Joseph... I honestly don't know, but I use 1/8" bits ALL the Time. So, that would be my guess. Then follow it with a Sheet Metal screw. Hope that helps!

[@josephnubile1970]

@@FastMonty absolutely, I was going to use sheet metal screws but I just wanted to be sure it was good idea. Just following in your footsteps. Your videos are very informative and if it works on your GTO its good enough for my GTO, thanks again for the help.

[@FastMonty]

Ha! Awesome! Keep at it @@josephnubile1970

[@richmorgan9594]

Well done. You just earned another like and I Subscribed.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Rich! Welcome to the FMG family.

[@hansonfamilygarage8760]

How much did you have leftover from the 12ft of capillary tube I’m thinking about buying the antique gauge and that comes with a 6’ tube? Thanks

[@FastMonty]

I used about 3 feet of it. If you mount in the same location as I did, you should be good. Have fun!

[@jermaineknowles87]

Love the channel bro

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Jermaine!

[@jimmore4155]

Could you not have used a 90 degree elbow adapter instead of bending the water tube?

[@FastMonty]

Not exactly... that probe should be submerged at all times. Hard to keep it submerged above the crossover. Thanks!

[@Rick-O-Shay60]

Can't go wrong with Autometer. I installed the 2-5/8 Pro Comp's in the interior, + 5" tach, speedo in dash (they fit perfect to replace factory's) then a tach, and vacuum gauges under the hood to dial in my carb. You may be safer going electric with fuel psi. Bringing fuel into the interior is hella risky, especially with the high psi of fuel injection.

[@FastMonty]

Nice! Yeah, good point about the fuel... we'll see how that goes. Just reviewing the components for the fuel gaue, they're Braided AN lines, so we should be good. Thanks Rickey!

[@brianmartin1133]

That is one of the reasons that I upgraded to Dakota Digital plus i only had dummy lights

[@FastMonty]

Yep, I love having more data... ha, ha... Thanks Brian!

[@gregschultz2029]

Thank You ,Nice Job !!!

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Greg!

[@cdiazcetina]

Hey monty I just had an idea, I recall the badass tachometer on the hoods. It would be cool if you could retrofit a fuel gauge on one. Make it safer but also classic I think

[@FastMonty]

Ohhh, that Idea might be crazy enough for me to do! ha, ha... Thanks!

[@juliosanchez1830]

Didnt you had the original gages rebuilt? That did not help get the correct reading? Where you get the wheels and the interior panels?

[@FastMonty]

Yes, the gauges were rebuilt, but the sending unit needs to be calibrated to the gauge. (That's a later video topic) Wheels are @U.S. Mags Interior panels are from @legendaryautointeriors

[@juliosanchez1830]

@@FastMontyThanks for the info. I like how your car stands. I wanna do the same on my 69 Judge.

[@FastMonty]

@@juliosanchez1830 Sounds good to me!

[@nursecuenca]

What degree thermostat do you have on your car?

[@FastMonty]

Currently a 165, but will be bumping up to 180 soon.

[@jrbacallao]

Hey Mike, sorry for the question, it has nothing to do with gauges but What's the tire size you have front and back?

[@FastMonty]

No worries... Ironically enough, I just upsized my tires! The rears are 295/30-20 the fronts are now 255/35-19 They look awesome! Stay tuned for when I do a product review on Tire Dressing. See ya!

[@puddleduckist]

I see you now have the fitec port injection. Is this a kit or did u buy parts and make it work together? How is it workin for you, it sure looks nice! What lsa and durstion does your cam have? I was wanting efi but I hsve a solid flat tappet with 106 lsa 265 276 @50 so it doesn't produce much manifold vacuum. I was looking into the edelbrock port efi kit from butler but I dont think it will run right. My next upgrade will be a set.of butler edelbrock 310 cfm heads and a matched torquer 2.

[@FastMonty]

Good Question Bane... the Port Injection is not operational yet. I'll be dyno'ing the Throttle Body first. Then FiTech and I will be designing up the Pontiac Port Injection system, to dyno in comparison. Yeah, you might not have enough vacuum with your current set up, but I love your plan for Rev 2.0 ! Thanks again!

[@frekkledipped]

Cars finally running 2 1/2 years, Im wanting to install gauges, it is ideling a bit hot my question is Im thinking of either an electrical fan or a race fan. Any knowledge / expieriance with a race fan? They are a bit pricey around $265 for the combo I need, or electrical fan, its hot at idle so Im thinking elec fan might be best 3000btu I hear is minimum needed

[@FastMonty]

Great question... electrical fan is mandatory, in my opinion, especially when idling. Get the biggest CFM fan that'll fit. Ironically enough, that's my topic in a couple videos from now. See ya then!

[@frekkledipped]

@@FastMonty Thanks thats my feeling too a race fan wont help alot when in idle thats when it warms up, I posted it in the forum that should get some response. Looking forward to your new vid

[@beemerkon]

Can you build my 400 it takes to long to watch you then go do it I keep on having to rewind to much

[@FastMonty]

Ha! I wish I had the time... lol. Thanks for the comment.

[@luisrivera-sx9ns]

WHY...WHY.... 😩😩😩???...why not Dakota Digital???

[@FastMonty]

Hmmm, not sure if I should answer you like my 5 year old? That answer is, BECAUSE. :) Second to that, Dakota gauges are just "OK" for full 69 GTO dash gauge replacement. I love the look of mine, and have no need to change them. Mechanical Gauges from Autometer are the best for that Second opinion on what's really going on with your engine. (Actually, will soon be the first Opinion... ha, ha..) Thanks!

[@luisrivera-sx9ns]

Thanks for your answer..