Oil Pressure Gauge problems

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LateOnTheBrakes

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Then I'm lost. They thread into a 1/8 NPT and detect pressure. Some say they are a "light" which I assume illuminates a dummy the light. Some say "gauge" which I assumed are for the gauge cluster. None explain why there are so many choices.
 

Bextreme04

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There are 11 options that say they fit. 7 if I narrow by brand.

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Never mind, the $35.99 one is the identical sensor to the NAPA one. It is the only one of the ones you posted that is a sensor for a gauge. The rest are switches to turn a light on or do other things. The reason they have so many is this year truck could have more than one oil pressure switch. They also had one down near the oil filter that was used for choke activation and some other things.
 

Bextreme04

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They say "Light" in the description if they are a switch.... A switch just closes the contact when it sees above a certain pressure and connects the two terminals. The one that doesn't say "light" is the $35 one and it is a sensor that changes the resistance to ground based on the amount of pressure it detects. There appears to be only one "gauge" option and a bunch of different "light" options
 

LateOnTheBrakes

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The fun part is there are ones that have switch in the title, gauge in the description, and have the same part number but with a letter designation at the end. That's why I am looking for someone with firsthand experience of a good part number. I can catalog shop too but don't want to end up buying multiple sensors/senders/switches.

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MisterB

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The fun part is there are ones that have switch in the title, gauge in the description, and have the same part number but with a letter designation at the end. That's why I am looking for someone with firsthand experience of a good part number. I can catalog shop too but don't want to end up buying multiple sensors/senders/switches.

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To me, those parts are probably identical in function, but one is a silver metal finish and the other one is that bronze color. One could be their basic line, and the other a higher end offering, but both have same specs and functionality.

I recently installed a new sending unit, and I got mine from NAPA. I told it my vehicle and engine and for a 1980 350, it recommended one part, and it was a 60 psi. I bought it and installed it and it works perfectly. Maybe check the NAPA site and see what they show and maybe just get it from them and be done with it.

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82sbshortbed

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I just did this. Here's what I did and it works great. Went to advanced and bought this mechanical gauge.

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Comes with everything you need. Then I took the little set screw out in the front drivers side behind the ps pump above the oil pan with an Allen wrench. I think there's like 4 of them that run along the side of the motor.

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Then ran the plastic tube thru the firewall and mounted it down by the parking break lever.

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Then tested it and worked perfect.

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Then came back and put wire loom over the plastic tube and fastened to fender well. Done.

Hope this helps
 

LateOnTheBrakes

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I removed an aftermarket mechanical gauge and cut the copper tube running into the cab. I like the cleaner look of a factory gauge cluster. I picked up two sensors from advanced. I have an extra threaded plug I can use on the passenger side head for coolant temperature. I bought a threaded boss for the oil cooler bypass boss for the oil pressure. I'll be able to read out the oil pressure through my LS PCM and compare it to the factory gauge cluster.
 

LateOnTheBrakes

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The gauges I got at Advance Auto work great. The backlighting leaves a lot to be desired though... I hope the printed circuit board isn't the issue. I guess I need to look into LEDs.

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