‘83 K5/ SBC 350 Swap/ new/old oil sending unit differences/dash gauge/Autometer gauge?

[BlazerBill]

Howdy y’all! I’m in the process of prepping my new SBC350 crate engine for installation on my ‘83 K5. I bought a new Autometer oil press gauge w/sending unit initially intended for my ‘73 Firebird but decided to use the new sender/gauge on the K5 new engine instead. The old sender was located by the distributor and powered the factory dash gauge of which I’m unsure of the accuracy of so I want to also install the new Autometer gauge. Questions: 1) The new sending unit has a different electrical connector than the old one that powered the factory dash gauge and low psi idiot light (assuming there is an idiot light). Will the new sender power the factory gauge or do I need the same old type sender? 2) How can I utilize both the factory gauge and the new Autometer gauge? If I need two senders for both gauges, do I install the other sender at the oil filter adapter, or where? What’s the best way to accomplish utilizing the dash and Autometer gauges, at least for pressure comparison/operation/accuracy purposes? What pressure differences should I expect to see from both sender locations? Any guidance and recommendations are highly appreciated!!! Thanks for your continued support!

 

[BlazerBill]

Additional info, the engine that came out of my ‘83 K5 was a ‘90’s Vortec 305. There was no oil press. switch installed at the oil filter location that was wired to the choke.

 

[BlazerBill]

I'll go ahead and buy a factory style sender to install at distributor location connected to the tan wire to operate my factory dash gauge. I’ll also buy/install the oil psi switch at the oil filter location connected with the dk blue wire, the pink/WH wire and run the remaining wire to the electric choke as it’s supposed to be. At this point, I would just ask where I should install the new Autometer sender to compare both the Autometer gauge and factory gauge? Thanks again!

 

[75gmck25]

You can put a T in the port/line where it connects near the distributor, but now you have multiple connections that can leak. I would make sure the senders are well supported, so vibration doesn’t cause anything to loosen up.

 

[wildone454]

Where can people buy the 45 fitting from

 

[75gmck25]

If you look on eBay you will see many choices, mostly marketed for the oil line on a Turbo. Just make sure it has the right threads.

They used to stock the Dorman brand in most parts stores, but it’s not there lately. The Dorman version is 3 parts, using a brass tube to connect down to the block. You might need that to clear the intake flange. Some guys have even made their own using brass parts from Home Depot.

IIRC, this is what it looks like.