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Technical What,s the point of this gauge ?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 34 GAZ, Mar 13, 2022.

  1. I have this two in one gauge :confused: . It,s almost 4 inch diameter. Would this be from a truck ? Surely a truck dashboard is big enough for two separate gauges. Or is it from a tractor or other machine ?

    101_3461.JPG 101_3467.JPG
     
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  2. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Lots of 30's cars and newer English cars have 2 in 1 gauges like that. Float in the oil pan and a switch to toggle between the gas and oil. Don't know about the size, but that looks like a new aftermarket gauge to me.
     
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  3. Thanks, here,s the before pics , old and crusty. Took it apart and soaked the rear shell in cleaning vinegar for 2 days front.JPG rear.JPG
     
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  4. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    Wow you did a great job of cleaning that gauge up, it looks new.
     

  5. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,903

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    There's presumably some manufacturing cost saving in fitting a dual purpose gauge. Besides, being able to check the engine oil from a gauge on the dash is a useful thing, but you wouldn't necessarily require a constant reading, so adding that functionality to the fuel gauge makes some sense.

    That gauge looks great!

    Chris
     
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  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,931

    squirrel
    Member

    A quick google search shows that it's a British thing, Lucas and Jaeger gauges have it.

    and it seems backwards to me...they should have the oil gage front and center, and fuel require a push to read. Because last weekend I was driving an old British car with a full time oil pressure gage, and it flatlined.....
     
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  7. KenC
    Joined: Sep 14, 2006
    Posts: 1,045

    KenC
    Member

    I had the same thought on first read. Then I reread it, it probably an oil level gauge, not pressure, it may be inaccurate when the engine is running and all the oil isn't in the pan. So my assumption is that it is intended to show the level when the engine is stopped, just like the dipstick.
     
  8. Guy Patterson
    Joined: Nov 27, 2020
    Posts: 372

    Guy Patterson

    AAh old British an Italian car so much fun
     
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  9. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 55,931

    squirrel
    Member

    That could well be, I guess more research is needed. I've never seen an oil level gauge on an old car, but the Brits did some neat things. The fuel gauge on my TD is a light, that goes on when fuel level drops to about 1/4 tank.
     
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  10. Boneyard51
    Joined: Dec 10, 2017
    Posts: 6,440

    Boneyard51
    Member

    Ahhhh, Lucas……never mind!




    Bones
     
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  11. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,814

    BJR
    Member

    The 1932 Hupmobile I used to own had a gas/oil gauge, and I have seen them on other old cars. I think there is one on the 1934 Pierce Arrow and Cord also. They were on the higher end cars of the 30's in the US.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2022
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  12. By taking a couple of pokes at the interwebs, it seems that 100mm (slightly less than 4") gauges are British for sure, and likely other metric cultures including Japanese.
    I think big, commercial truck, diesel engines have supersized crankcases so an 'oil level' gauge may be very useful for them. This is beyond my experience and intelligence so take this info with a grain of salt. :oops:
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2022
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  13. Happydaze
    Joined: Aug 21, 2009
    Posts: 1,903

    Happydaze
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Without doubt it is an oil level gauge, not oil pressure. Generally Brit cars didn't have oil pressure gauges, typically just a light, which Ialways took to mean 'install new engine soon, if not immediately', or 'prepare to continue journey on foot'.

    I had a 1999 Jaguar XKR which, being a performance, grand tourer, had an oil pressure gauge, as the discerning driver of such a quality car would reasonably expect. Switching on the ignition the gauge would, in a smooth, gentlemanly fashion, move from zero to the 12 o'clock position and stay there, whether the engine was running or not!!!!

    Chris
     
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  14. That was when Ford still owned Jaguar, and was a Ford thing. Although the Brits didn't quite get it right. Ford kept getting US customer complaints about oil pressure falling off while idling (even after explaining that was normal) so used a faux gauge connected to a regular oil pressure sensor like would be used for a oil light. As long as there was enough pressure to trigger the sensor the gauge would read 'normal', if pressure dropped enough the gauge would zero out...
     
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  15. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,173

    Budget36
    Member

    I’m not sure how practical it is, but a cool gauge and great work restoring it too.
     
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  16. The British cars have them as part of the start-up procedure. When the ignition is turned on, the "oil level" circuit is energized, so you know how many pints of oil have leaked out while parked.
     
  17. rusty valley
    Joined: Oct 25, 2014
    Posts: 3,883

    rusty valley
    Member

    My 29 packard had no dipstick, and a corkscrew type gauge on the block like a lawn mower tank
     
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