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drewhelm1974 · 08-25-2003, 01:59 PM

I am installing a mechanical Oil Pressure guage. At this point I have tried to remove the square drive plug at the distributor pad, but it is not budging. I am planning to replace the original speedo cluster with an autometer tach and speedo, so the idiot light is not necessary. Does anyone see a problem with using the existing sending unit location to attach the mechanical tubing? What difference should I expect between pressure at the distributor pad and the factory location?

Thanks,

Drew

69 Firebird, FINALLY installed the Pontiac 469.
01 Red and pewter GMC Ext Cab SIERRA SLT 4x4
02 Maple Red (maroon) LS1 Trans Am

drewhelm1974 · 08-25-2003, 01:59 PM

I am installing a mechanical Oil Pressure guage. At this point I have tried to remove the square drive plug at the distributor pad, but it is not budging. I am planning to replace the original speedo cluster with an autometer tach and speedo, so the idiot light is not necessary. Does anyone see a problem with using the existing sending unit location to attach the mechanical tubing? What difference should I expect between pressure at the distributor pad and the factory location?

Thanks,

Drew

69 Firebird, FINALLY installed the Pontiac 469.
01 Red and pewter GMC Ext Cab SIERRA SLT 4x4
02 Maple Red (maroon) LS1 Trans Am

Lloyd-TX · 08-25-2003, 02:04 PM

Drew:

The OE sender location will work fine. Just remember to keep the tubing tied up out of the way of hot exhaust system parts and sharp edges!

Lloyd

'72 Formula 455 - TH400, 3.08 posi, A/C, Y99 suspension, tach & gauges, AM-FM stereo, 8-track, Formula steering wheel, etc.; Lucerne Blue with Medium Blue deluxe Interior; 12.96 @ 104 MPH @ the '03 PSN's

Soon I'll starting a body-off restoration on a 72 GTO 455HO, TH400, A/C, etc.; Sundance Orange with Ivory buckets

drewhelm1974 · 08-25-2003, 02:29 PM

Thanks for the quick response Lloyd that's good to know!

Would there be a difference in oil pressure readings between the distributor pad and the filter location?

69 Firebird, FINALLY installed the Pontiac 469.
01 Red and pewter GMC Ext Cab SIERRA SLT 4x4
02 Maple Red (maroon) LS1 Trans Am

Lloyd-TX · 08-25-2003, 02:48 PM

and I don't really know. Lots of others here have experimented with using that location for oil pressure gauge readings, maybe someone else will be able to answer that one. I've ALWAYS used the OEM oil filter adapter location for my OEM or aftermarket gauge readings.

Later,
Lloyd

'72 Formula 455 - TH400, 3.08 posi, A/C, Y99 suspension, tach & gauges, AM-FM stereo, 8-track, Formula steering wheel, etc.; Lucerne Blue with Medium Blue deluxe Interior; 12.96 @ 104 MPH @ the '03 PSN's

Soon I'll starting a body-off restoration on a 72 GTO 455HO, TH400, A/C, etc.; Sundance Orange with Ivory buckets

69GPModJ · 08-25-2003, 02:49 PM

Many Pontiac builders prefer the distributor location because that's the last place the oil goes. If there's a problem anywhere along the way, you'll know it.

On the other hand, if you're getting your readings at the stock location, you could have lower or even no pressure further along and never know it. I learned this the hard way when I had my brand new 468 nuke itself. Oil pressure looked great even while the bearings were melting and my number three bearing spun.

69GPModJ

drewhelm1974 · 08-26-2003, 06:28 AM

Thanks for the response guys. Lloyd, you're in the bellaire area? I live in Katy.....

Do you ever go to the Saturday night cruise ins at Sam's on I-10 and hwy 6?

69 Firebird, FINALLY installed the Pontiac 469.
01 Red and pewter GMC Ext Cab SIERRA SLT 4x4
02 Maple Red (maroon) LS1 Trans Am

Lloyd-TX · 08-26-2003, 06:59 AM

Yes, I'm in Houston. I didn't even notice your Houston location until you mentioned it!!! My auto repair shop is in the city of Bellaire, just outside 610, and I live past Sugar Land at 59 and 99 (Grand Parkway).

Unfortunately I don't have much time for "cruise-ins", but I try to get out to Otto's BBQ in the Fountains shopping center (59 @ Kirkwwod) on the first Saturday of each month. That's the monthly meeting night for the Trans Am Club of Houston so there are usually quite a few Pontiacs there that night. Pretty fair showing of all kinds of cars there every Saturday night. Usually starts up around 5:00 or so and pretty well over by 10:00.

I'm gonna try to make more time for getting the car out - post back more details on the Sam's deal when you have a chance. I-10 @ highway 6 wouldn't be too far to go for me.

Talk later,
Lloyd

'72 Formula 455 - TH400, 3.08 posi, A/C, Y99 suspension, tach & gauges, AM-FM stereo, 8-track, Formula steering wheel, etc.; Lucerne Blue with Medium Blue deluxe Interior; 12.96 @ 104 MPH @ the '03 PSN's

Soon I'll starting a body-off restoration on a 72 GTO 455HO, TH400, A/C, etc.; Sundance Orange with Ivory buckets

drewhelm1974 · 08-26-2003, 07:22 AM

I actually live out off Fry and I-10. We were looking at houses in your area not long ago.

Anyway, I haven't actually taken my car to Sam's as it is still in primer and working out the mechanical bugs. Currently, front end is in the air as I'm putting new coils on it.

Every Saturday night starting around 6:00 the parking lot is full of all kinds of cars. Of course more Camaro's than anything else. There are cares ranging from classic hotrods through newer model camaros and TAs. Last time i was there didn't see many Pontiacs at all.

69 Firebird, FINALLY installed the Pontiac 469.
01 Red and pewter GMC Ext Cab SIERRA SLT 4x4
02 Maple Red (maroon) LS1 Trans Am

Blackfoot · 08-26-2003, 07:30 PM

Hey Drew, I had the same problem trying to remove my plug by the distributor pad. I should of had it drilled and tapped when they built the engine. I would have preferred to run my oil line from there. Mine is coming off the oil filter housing and it works okay. Just wanted to suggest that you use copper line and not plastic.

I've got a babys brain and an old mans heart,..............

Lloyd-TX · 08-27-2003, 03:43 PM

Copper tubing is a NO-NO in automotive applications. The vibration "work hardens" copper tubing so it will eventually fracture. The resulting high pressure hot oil can be anything from ugly to uncomfortable to disastrous, depending on where it sprays.

Stay with nylon, or possibly aluminum.

Lloyd

'72 Formula 455 - TH400, 3.08 posi, A/C, Y99 suspension, tach & gauges, AM-FM stereo, 8-track, Formula steering wheel, etc.; Lucerne Blue with Medium Blue deluxe Interior; 12.96 @ 104 MPH @ the '03 PSN's

Soon I'll starting a body-off restoration on a 72 GTO 455HO, TH400, A/C, etc.; Sundance Orange with Ivory buckets

thirdgen455 · 08-27-2003, 04:20 PM

Lloyd-TX I have 72 chevelle with a nice rebuilt 454 in it and all the chrome crap sitting at my shop with half the car burned up beacuse of that plastic line. I would suggest using the copper as I did to the customer of the chevelle. he installed the line and it suqirted oil everywhere and burnt the wireing harness and cowl area.

COPPER line is EZ to install You just need to make a few coils in it like they have in metal brake lines so it has some flex. I have never seen a problem yet with copper lines the plastic crap on the other hand have seen many problems. new carpet getting ruined, fires, ect.

Big Mike · 08-27-2003, 04:51 PM

Get a braided line. It costs a lot more than the other options, but won't ever break. Second otion would be a steel line like used for brakes. Will need to have a coil in it to absorb the engine movement without damage.

Big block? Small Block? Nope, It's a Pontiac Engine!

drewhelm1974 · 08-28-2003, 06:30 AM

Thanks guys. I have used the plastic line in the past and was concerned about it being near anything hot or even passing through the firewall. That's why I am planning to use copper line. I already have it so I might as well use it until I decide to upgrade to braided.

I will definitely make a couple coils in it to absorb vibration.

69 Firebird, FINALLY installed the Pontiac 469.
01 Red and pewter GMC Ext Cab SIERRA SLT 4x4
02 Maple Red (maroon) LS1 Trans Am

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