I'm thinking of more or less permanently installing a quality pressure gauge directly to the engine in place of the 1/8" NPT plug above the oil filter. I don't see the need to monitor oil pressure continuously while driving and this approach has many fewer opportunities for leaks. Maybe I'll do the same for fuel pressure. Any thoughts on this bright idea? Also, what is normal oil pressure and fuel pressure for my stock rig? Thanks, guys!

 

I installed a oil pressure gauge in my 01 just as you said, to the 1/8 plug on the oil filter and mounted it on the fire wall. Worked great. As you said, no need to monitor all the time. But I got a copper line kit at Auto Zone, not that plastic nylon line crap. I've been thinking of doing it on this truck also. I like the idea of a fuel gauge too.

 

Thanks Al, but I'm thinking of attaching the gauges directly to the engine, so no tubing of any kind. Any other thoughts, guys? And what's normal oil and fuel pressure for a stock third generation truck so I get the right gauges?

 

I think I saw a fuel pressure gauge from Glacier that mounts on the stock fuel filter housing. I think you have some good ideas. Find the parts and install 'em then take some pics and post the info on here so I can copy you!!!
You'll be my hero!!!!!!!

 

Would you mind letting us know what kind of differences you have noted comparing the "real" gauge to the one in the dash? I have heard that the stock gauge doesn't give true readings, but no real details on the subject. Thanks.

 

if you have more than 6psi, your dash gauge shows something that the customer would like to see.. it is a fancy idoit light. there is no pressure transducer on the engine for lube oil pressure. just a simple 2 wire switch

with 0w40 in my sump, idling hot, i sit at around 18psi with a mechanical gauge plumbed off the cam gallery off the port above the engine ecm on the left side of the block [m10x1.0 orb port]

 

i have an electric autometer oil pressure gauge. it is close to the idiot factory oil pressure gauge readings. now, it is obviously easier to get a good reading with the autometer, since in has more slashes and numbers on the gauge-but looking at where the needle is on the factory one and making a good educated guess-both readings are close- believe it or not.

 

please let me know why I would need the fuel pressure gauge on a stocker, iam a newbe and dont know what prob. the gauge will find. if you say I need it I will get one, just got boost, trans temp, egt guage.will mount in a triple holder just above floor cup console. thanks for all your great advice.

 

You don't HAVE to have it. But it is a very good idea. It will tell you if your lift pump is about to take a dump and it will also give you an indication of how much fuel pressure you have for various tasks....bombing, towing, etc. I watch mine all the time, but then again im running Smarty on level 9 with a stock lift pump too. It is very easy to pull the FP down below 5psi. Even to almost ZERO. My stock lift pump will be getting replaced in the near future, but just in case it decides to quit on me, I want to know it as far in advance as possible.

 

You might have a problem mounting the guage directly to the engine due to the vibrations that the Cummins produces. It'll probably take a negative toll on the durability of the guage. JMO.