Pyro and boost look pretty straightforward, but not sure about the fuel pressure. I saw somewhere they said post-filter is best for monitoring filter life. What about plumbing and isolators? I'm leaning toward just putting a valve on it for shutoff in case of any possible leaks.

Thanks in advance for any sage advice...

 

I don't think the gauge is as critical for a 1st Gen as it is for a 2nd, but - if you're putting one in, definitely go post-filter, this will show variation that may occur as the filter becomes plugged.

Run the fuel into the cab, skip any isolator that comes with the gauge, and install a needle valve / snubber instead, this acts not only as a shut-off in case of an in-cab fuel leak, but reduces any pressure pulses / fluctuations that are murder on the gauge.

 

Save your time and money on a mechanical gauge and assorted crap, and get a Westach electric fuel pressure gauge, 0-30psi. 30psi for if you went with a piston lift pump. If you plan to stick to a stock fuel pressure gauge a 0-16psi would be sufficient. Trust me, been there done it. The pulsing from the mechanical lift pump and cam will destroy a mechanical gauge- even with a snubber... a snubber will just make it last a little bit longer.

A permanent fuel pressure gauge isn't really necessary for a stock lift pump. I would purchase two high flow banjo bolts from www.genosgarage.com, get a standard and one tapped for 1/8"npt. Place the tapped banjo after the fuel filter with a pipe plug in it. Then with a 0-30psi boost gauge, fittings and tubing, you can hook it up and check fuel pressure any time you want, such as a troubleshoot instrument.

 

Yeah, I think maybe I'm just a little paranoid about the fuel pressure issue. This is my first diesel and I got the impression they are subject to alot of fuel-related problems, what with all the lift pump stories, bio, fungus, cetane, you-name-it type fuel-related stuff I see flying around in here.

Test port setup sounds like a better idea, with gauge-mounting real estate in the cab at a premium anyway. Looks like you describe basically installing a fitting to connect the boost gauge into the fuel line. Is that what I'm reading? Can't see why you need two bolts. The bolts I saw at geno's said Dodge-24v, but I'm assuming they are the same size/pitch as the 1st gen.


Thanks!

 

I ran three 12 valvers for almost ten years and never worried about FP on them. Was never an issue.