Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject: oil pressure gauge testing
Hello,
I am getting ready to start my M38A1 for the first time. I dont know if any of the gauges work but I would like to know if there is any way to test the oil gauge to see if it would work before I try? Thanks in advance.
Just use the Army TB 9-2300-228-20 "Tactical Transport and Combat Vehicles: Troubleshooting for Instrument Cluster Gages, Switches, Circuit Breakers, Sending Units and Related Wiring dated 8 July 1960." and follow the test steps closely for each gage and sender. Keep in mind that the electric senders you are using should be the correct ones for the electric gage you are using them with. Check part numbers closely. The oil pressure is a tough one since the early M38's and A1's came with a 0 to 120 PSI set that were not very accurate at their low end where you need accuarcy for the initial startup. The military switched to a 0 to 60 PSI setup and that is the best to use.
A little tip for starting a fresh engine. Use simple old fashion direct reading gages. The capillary type 0 to 250 coolant temp gage and the mechanical (uses a tube to get the oil to the gage) oil pressure with the best range markings you can find with 0 to 60 PSI or 0 to 80 PSI. It's nice to get one with one pound increments, These gages are simple to install and you should use them all the way through the initial break-in period then once you are satisfied you can install the electric units with the confidence that you know the engine is ok and if there's an indicating issue with the military electric gages it's the gages and not the engine.
Joined: Apr 18, 2005 Posts: 458 Location: Rhode Island
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:02 pm Post subject: gauges
Summit Racing has inexpensive mechanical gauges in a 2 pack of oil pressure and water temp. If I remember right they were about $18.
The oil pressure gauge comes with an adaptor to go into an 1/8"pipe thread.
Worked great for startup and I still have to sort my 120psi electrical gauge as it reads low.
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