Is oil pressure gauge really needed?

[burner31]

Been searching the site and get mixed reviews, some say no need for oil pressure gauge because the system is not pressurized, but I notice a lot of people install and use the gauges.
I'm asking all you oldtimers out there (I'm one myself)
A waste of time and money?
Whats the real scoop? Lay it on me.

[HoarseWhisperer]

I installed one out of curiosity. Read up to 6 lbs on cold startup, then dropped to 1 lb when warmed up.

Once my curiosity was satisfied, I took it out.

[burner31]

Originally Posted by HoarseWhisperer

I installed one out of curiosity. Read up to 6 lbs on cold startup, then dropped to 1 lb when warmed up.

Once my curiosity was satisfied, I took it out.

How about the temp gauge, did you pull that also?

[CarlG]

About the only thing that an oil pressure gauge will tell you is that your oil pump is in fact working. I have a gauge mounted in the cab, (only to fill up the blank hole) but have yet to hook it up to the engine.

[HoarseWhisperer]

Originally Posted by burner31

How about the temp gauge, did you pull that also?

Yep, pulled them both out. The Red Ball temp gauge had a sensor that installed into the rad hose with clamp. The sensor would not work despite sending it to 3 different shops for repair. The oil gauge worked fine.

Nice period pieces, but the gauges are now expensive garage art.

[Brianfrench65]

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I've done the same thing. I have and appreciate the temperature gage, however not hooked up the oil pressure gage.

[Marco Tahtaras]

I had a full pressure system in one car and wouldn't be without a gauge. I would never bother in any of the others. I know what I have and simply nothing to be concerned about.

[Synchro909]

In my unmodified engine, I run no oil gauge but in my touring engine which is fitted with a high volume, high pressure oil pump which delivers oil under pressure to the centre main bearing, I consider it essential. I have made my own pressure relief valve to keep the feed to 25 psi.
Can't see that a gauge is warranted on a stock engine but useful in a modified one.

[ursus]

The Model-B had pressure to the mains, although it wasn't much more than 10 lbs on a warmed up engine. Did the 1932-34 Model B cars have an oil pressure guage?

[colin1928]

Originally Posted by ursus

The Model-B had pressure to the mains, although it wasn't much more than 10 lbs on a warmed up engine. Did the 1932-34 Model B cars have an oil pressure guage?

Not in any that I have noticed

[Spokes]

I don't use a oil pressure gauge , but I use a temputure gauge

[Mike V. Florida]

"Is oil pressure gauge really needed?"

No, if it were really needed Ford would have put it in.
But it is additional information, IF you understand what is going on and how to interpret the readings. We have read here before threads that had the owner worried because the gauge would register high then go down to near nothing.

Same goes with temp, additional information IF you know how to read it under the different driving conditions of your car.

Both can tell you that something has changed from what you normally see, but "really needed" no.

[Terry, NJ]

Why do all that work just to scare the Sh** out of yourself? I had an Ford 8N Tractor that I rebuilt the engine on. I had heard that they were low but I didn't know how low. When I first stated it on 30 straight weight it went to 45 lbs. I rejoiced, It's good! !5 minutes later, I shut it down! It was down to 5Lbs. How that was possible could only be answered one way, The bearings had destroyed themselves. I wanted to get drunk! You dummerasel! What did you do wrong? I went over my work again and again in my mind! I talked to a couple of guys I know about it and they told me that 5lbs hot was pretty good for a Ford tractor. Model As are pretty similar.
Terry

[H. L. Chauvin]

One way it look at it is ..... did one ever "experiences" a broken Model A oil pump?:

For just a very slight few of us, having a Model A oil pressure gauge may make about as much sense as a young bride wearing underwear under her short white wedding dress ..... on her wedding night ...... after eating a double helping of beans for lunch.

My oil pump broke as a teenager, right after I paid $25.00 for my Model A, when I was making the minimum wages of $1.00 an hour that summer while still in high school.

My only warning was No.1 connecting rod sounded like a blacksmith shop ..... and I was grounded and could not afford costly engine repairs right away.

In my opinion, think about the above bride's second marriage, after eating a double helping of beans for lunch, wearing underwear will "depend", (no pun intended), on what happened on her first wedding night.

Whether right or wrong, it does not make sense to argue ..... many of life's opinions "depends" on past experience.

[johnbuckley]

Originally Posted by Terry, NJ

Why do all that work just to scare the Sh** out of yourself? .....

Right on Terry!

[BlueSunoco]

Originally Posted by H. L. Chauvin

For just a very slight few of us, having a Model A oil pressure gauge may make about as much sense as a young bride wearing underwear under her short white wedding dress ..... on her wedding night ...... after eating a double helping of beans for lunch.

.

H.L you 'crack' me up buddy You might wanna start a 'poll' on this analogy of yours

[burner31]

OK, no gauges, going to put my money on some turn signals.
These kids today think I'm waving at them when I'm trying to turn.
And then I'm really waving at them Ol'right...the one finger kind.

[Henry1953]

I like my gauges. I think the oil pressure gauge is not going to tell you anything once the engine is warm but it lets you know whether or not the oil pump is working properly at initial start up. The temperature gauge let me know that I was running a little on the hot side before it became a real problem this summer. I will keep mine even though they clutter the dash up a bit.

[CarlG]

This is mine:

[walt jones]

An Oil Pressure Gauge on your Model A just gives you something more to worry about.