Moving Oil Pressure Gauge (but not to dashboard)

[lyle11]

I moved the oil pressure gauge to the dash on my FCub years ago. I recently started also using a Lowboy. I can’t see the oil pressure gauge and I miss that. But, my dash is full. I have never owned a motorcycle and know nothing about them but, when I searched for oil pressure gauges online, I saw a gauge with an L shaped mounting bracket where the oil line passes through it and and a nut secures the gauge to the bracket. The other end of the bracket is fastened to the motorcycle.

I was wondering if I could use a similar type of setup with a modified bracket fastening it to the rear of the dashboard to hood screw (using longer screw in location near the starter pull). I don’t care if the gauge says IH on it. I just would like a visible gauge.

I didn’t see this in my search but I’m wondering if anybody has done this. Or, is there too much vibration for this type of less rigid setup for the oil line to hold up.

Alternatively, has anybody moved the oil gauge to a visible location that isn’t in the dashboard?

Thanks

[Jim Becker]

One of my Cubs came with a piece of steel tubing attached to the block and bent so it went up beside the tank and a gauge was on the top of the tube. A clip was added to the existing bolt on the right side of the tank. I thought I had previously posted a picture of it, but am not seeing it now.

Edit:
You can almost see it with these two pictures.
viewtopic.php?t=90024#p713383

[radioguy41]

When installing the factory style hour meter kit it has the added attraction of moving the oil guage over and outward making it much easier to see.

Click on image for a larger view.

[outdoors4evr]

I mounted a gauge to a flat piece of sheet metal and then ran hard line to the gauge.
This is on a numbered lowboy so you may not have the same mounting options.

[lyle11]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions. Now I just need to figure out what parts I need. The Cub I moved the gauge to the dash years ago is located at my other place, so it’s not convenient to look at it. But, it seems like I used a brass fittings that were, I believe, 1/8 NPT into the engine and brake line with a ferrule on the other end. I see copper line kits, and I realize this isn’t for gasoline, but I’m sure mine is a steel brake line between brass fittings.

For the gauge, if I buy a gauge that’s designed to install into the dash, with the bracket, I’m thinking that must have a nut in the middle to fasten the bracket and the oil line connector protrudes through that. Seems like then I can make a bracket. I just want to make sure the oil pressure gauge I buy has a way to fasten a bracket to it. I don’t think TM sells this style but it seems like a gauge intended for a dash mounted gauge would work.

On my Lowboy, there is a truss head screw in the hood at the edge just above the filter housing that holds a has a clip for the wire harness. I’m thinking I should be able to bolt my bracket and oil gauge here and it would be visible without a long run line.

[Clemsonfor]

When installing the factory style hour meter kit it has the added attraction of moving the oil guage over and outward making it much easier to see.

Click on image for a larger view.
1948 Farmall Cub-328s.jpg

1948 Farmall Cub-331s.jpg

Looks like you have an electronic gauge as well. I see a sending unit branched off.

[radioguy41]

Nope, that would normally be the switch for the hour meter but I used it to control the exciter for the alternator.

[Matt Kirsch]

Many of your bog standard auto parts store oil pressure gauge kits come with a mounting bracket for the gauge that hold the gauge by the bezel. Couple of strategically placed self-tappers, and Bob's your uncle.

[lyle11]

Many of your bog standard auto parts store oil pressure gauge kits come with a mounting bracket for the gauge that hold the gauge by the bezel. Couple of strategically placed self-tappers, and Bob's your uncle.

I saw a lot of brackets and holders online. I was hoping to find something simple and similar to a coil bracket for a 2” diameter gauge but a little heavier metal with an appendage on it that I could bend to the shape I need and bolt under the edge of the hood/dash. I’m not seeing anything that matches up with what I hoped to find. I think I’ll just take Radio Guy’s approach minus the hour meter and use a few common fittings to move the gauge maybe 3” to the right and a little higher. I can barely see it on this Lowboy when I lean to the right to look. I’d like to have it closer but my primary issue is that the view is obstructed. Plus, I’m using this Lowboy for the first time after a decent amount of repairs so I’m in a mindset where I’m hoping everything I replaced holds up so I’m looking at things like oil pressure more.

I have a relatively new gauge from TM on this Lowboy but the pressure reads low. The engine however has a lot more power than my FCub engine. This one has a decent about of blowby but I just started using it after owning it for several years. It finally is getting worked hard mowing so maybe that will be good for it.

[Don McCombs]

Adding some Seafoam to the fuel and oil while mowing may improve the smoking.