# How-to: Installing a mechanical Autometer Oil Pressure Gauge
**URL:** https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220
**Category:** SON240sx Automotive
**Created:** [June 30, 2004, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220 "2004-06-30T19:54:50Z")
**Posts on this page:** 10
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 7:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/1 "2004-06-30T19:54:50Z")
When installing an Autometer oil pressure gauge (or any other non-metric gauge),
you need a conversion fitting to adapt to the metric system used by the 240sx.
Autometer recommends you buy one of their NPT to BSPT fittings which
costs somewhere around $20 or $30. However you can go to AdaptAll
in Toronto ([http://www.adaptall.com/](http://www.adaptall.com/)) and get your fittings from there.
If you plan to keep your stock oil pressure indicator light (on your dash)
here’s what you need to buy:
1 - 3-way 1/8" Female BSPT fitting
1 - 1/8" Male to 1/8" Male BSPT fitting
1 - 1/8" Male BSPT to 1/8" Female NPT fitting
Total cost for these fittings is about $10.
Tools/parts needed:
- 22mm deep socket
- Ratchet
- Approriate sized wrenches/ratchets to tighten the various fittings
- Teflon tape
- Autometer gauge, fittings and nylon tubing.
The stock oil pressure switch is located near the oil filter. It’s a very tight
fit so the best thing is to unbolt it from under the car. The size of the switch
is 22mm, so you will need a 22mm deep socket to remove it.
For my setup, I ended up putting the Autometer adapter in the middle of the T-fitting
and the stock switch on the other end (see pics).
Be sure to put some teflon tape on the threads before you tighten the
fittings. I had no teflon tape so I ended up using RTV sealent. :oops:
**Stock oil pressure switch**
**The fittings**
**Fittings installed (minus the nylon oil pressure tube)**
**Gauge (the switch if for my electric fan)**
Once everything is installed, check the fittings and connections for leaks.
Let the car idle, take it for a spin and monitor the reading. If you lost
some oil while taking the oil pressure switch out, be sure to top it off.
If it’s any easier, take the oil filter out when doing this install.
On idle, on average, you will see about _20psi_. Higher up in the
RPM/speed/gear, your average PSI will be between _60psi and 70psi_.
Good luck.
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### Author:  [@SHIFT\_KA24DET](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SHIFT_KA24DET)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/2 "2004-06-30T20:43:56Z")
Does that mean there is hot oil sitting underneath your headunit?
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### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 8:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/3 "2004-06-30T20:48:26Z")
Yes, but it will be insulated shortly using some looms (or something).
Chances of these nylon tubes breaking/bursting is pretty rare.
You can always buy an electrical oil pressure gauge. :dunno:
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### Author:  [@SHIFT\_KA24DET](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SHIFT_KA24DET)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/4 "2004-06-30T20:51:37Z")
Im not worried about the lines busting but more or less the fittings leaking.
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### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 8:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/5 "2004-06-30T20:55:33Z")
An alternative (and a costly alternative) is to get some Earl/Russell
pressure fittings and SS lines. But my pockets weren’t that deep. ☹
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### Author:  [@SHIFT\_KA24DET](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/SHIFT_KA24DET)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/6 "2004-06-30T21:32:11Z")
> [@Gonad](#):
>
> An alternative (and a costly alternative) is to get some Earl/Russell
> pressure fittings and SS lines. But my pockets weren’t that deep. ☹
If I were to choose that route I would then go Electric.
Awesome Write-up BTW.
I will be investing in an Oil Pressure Gauge Shortly as IMO it’s
one of the best monitoring tools on a stock/lightly modified engine.
---
### Author:  [@Sasha\_SG](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Sasha_SG)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 9:48pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/7 "2004-06-30T21:48:45Z")
Oil pressure is nice to have if you think your engine will pop, but usually by the time theres a problem with your oil pressure something is already wrong, maybe even permanently?
Also dude watch out, some racing sactions will not allow you to compete with oil passing through the firewall… im not sure if its SOLO2 but im pretty sure SOLO1 wont let you…
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### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [June 30, 2004, 9:56pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/8 "2004-06-30T21:56:34Z")
So these racing bodies expect you to have electric gauges instead?
Or the gauges mounted on the hood? Interesting.
Hrm, I wasn’t aware of SOLO1 and its regulations on the mech. oil
pressure gauge. Thx for the heads up.
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### Author:  [@Gonad](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Gonad)
#### Post date: [July 1, 2004, 8:10am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/9 "2004-07-01T08:10:20Z")
It has come to my attention that under rough idle or hard driving, with
the motor shaking, the t-fittings have been known to snap off the adapters
that go into the block. I don’t know how common it is, but it is a possibility.
Here’s something to consider if you want to take the extra precautions.
Rather then having a t-fitting directly on the block, put a line of tubing
between the block and t-fitting. As well consider copper tubing instead of nylon.
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### Author:  [@Bero](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Bero)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2006, 10:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/how-to-installing-a-mechanical-autometer-oil-pressure-gauge/81220/10 "2006-05-16T10:04:28Z")
best thing i have found for installing oil gauges is an oil sandwhich plate.
they run for about 75 bucks in stores. or like 45 shipped on ebay.
they usually have 2 or 3 holes, so you can run an oil cooler and a gauge, or 2 gauges and an oil feed for turbo etc etc…
may be a bit more expensive, but definately worth it with ease of install etc.
Bryan