[smellmygas]

So I bought a set of autometer electric gauges, i have it all wired up and went to install the sending units....found that the oil sending unit that is on there now is basically seized on there.
I lubed the hell out of it, pry'd it, channel locks, gator grip, and everything in between...i used a couple seconds of heat on there too to see if it would loosen it...it didnt
now the fitting is so mangled up, and I still cant get it out of there....what should I do? is it safe to break it off and re-tap it or am i going to be putting metal shards into the oil system?

Im really at a loss here, and I cant install the old unit to plug up and drive it somewhere....help!!!

[ELKHORNAOG7]

Remove the hole unit from the engine and see how you make out with it in a vice if it brakes off then try an easy out if need be you can drill it out and and go up to 1/4" pipe tap and put a reducer in the tapped hole to bring it down to the proper size you need for the new oil sending unit, this is what I had to do on mine (very easy to do)---BOB

[grivera]

Is the sending unit in the hole by the distributor or the oil filter adapter?

[smellmygas]

it is in the oil filter adapter.....if i take off the whole oil filter housing, do i need to drain the oil first? is it gonna leak all over the place?

[grivera]

You may have some oil seepage but not too much sinse most of it would have drained to the engine oil pan, below the adapter point. Use a plastic oil pan to catch the potential mess.

[smellmygas]

1 last easy question.....is there a gasket or anything that will need to be replaced when I remove the housing? or do I use a sealant when I put it on there?
Thanks for the help guys.

[66bonne]

Gasket is needed: Fel-Pro 13426. Should be easy to get from any auto parts store.
Get the new gasket before removing oil filter adapter.

Good luck
Jim

[gregneun]

I have a couple of them around here. One is for the guage and one is for lights.

PM if you need one.

Greg

[smellmygas]

I just went to napa and ordered the felpro gasket...it should be here in a couple hours.

they stated that that part number was for a 69 firebird 400

should be the same right?? its a 74 455 pontiac block, im thinking its the same....i should be finishing this little project up later today.

When I ordered the autometer gauges through summit, they stated it would have everything I would need to install, they forgot to mention that I had to do my own wiring harness to the gauges....not that its hard, just time consuming.oh well

[old66tiger]

I am assuming that the sender is in the housing and that there is no 45 degree brass adapter?

You will need to pull off the adapter and secure it in a vise or clamp it firmly to a bench. Remove the by-pass spring and the bypass disk so that it does not get damaged. Heat up the piece with a propane torch for about 15 seconds and then rap on the fitting with a small hammer. Don't beat on it, just rap it slightly to try to break loose whatever mechanical bond there may be. Use a pair of channellocks and rock the fitting back and fourth to try to break it loose. I hate easy outs because they seldom work and usually end up with a bigger mess than what you had when you started. When the sender is out, let the adapter cool on the bench. Do not put it in water to cool it. Clean, paint and assemble with a little silicone or Permatex 2. Do not forget to put the bypass spring and valve back in the adapter.

[66bonne]

One of the nice things about the Pontiac motors is that SO many parts are interchangeable over SO many years.
That Fel-Pro gasket number I gave you is good for the years 1959-1979 and it doesn't matter what size engine.
Jim

[smellmygas]

mission accomplished...i had to drill it out, but didnt mess the threads up so no need for a reducer, ill probably just go get a 90degree fitting bc the oil filter scraped the sending unit when it got screwed on tight.
thanks for the help guys!

[grivera]

Now that you have it fixed, I believe the consensus on this site is that a more accurate oil pressure reading is obtained by using the port next to the distributor as it is after filtration. Thoughts anyone?