another one for the experts...

[rebreath]

Today I dismantled an oil gauge from a 1977 something.not sure if it was a 240d or some kind of 300d,got the gauge from a forum member(jim16671836) and was told that I could swap the gauge mechanism for the one in my dash(which stayed fixed until it got cold?!).here is my question...the gauge face reads differently than the one in my dash,after the switch my gauge reads at about the #2 mark.before the switch it read closer to the #1 mark.could this difference be because of the SLIGHT leak that had developed or is it because the tubes are calibrated differently(to coincide with different markings on the 77 gauge face).where should it sit at idle when hot? thanks for any and all input...

[jbaj007]

The needle and hub are removable from the shaft of the gauge and can be moved (see search and be careful...thin shaft) to read whatever you want it to. I'd calibrate to a known good mechanical shop gauge.

When I painted my gauge needles I had 3 bar oil pressure and could go 100 mph with the engine off ; then I repositioned the needles!!

[barry123400]

Do you remember if your old gauge needle was at rest with the engine off at the zero refference mark? Or was it below the mark if you look now even. Hope you have not disturbed it. Either way I would not be greatly concerned if I could not figure it out. Primarily it is used as a refference that you have some reasonable oil pressure. Still far superior to an idiot light other than a lights ability to attract you attention faster if oil pressure in engine bottoms out. Really these cars should have both. Especially with the incorporated oil cooler lines if they are old.

[rebreath]

Originally Posted by barry123400

Do you remember if your old gauge needle was at rest with the engine off at the zero refference mark? Or was it below the mark if you look now even. Hope you have not disturbed it. Either way I would not be greatly concerned if I could not figure it out. Primarily it is used as a refference that you have some reasonable oil pressure. Still far superior to an idiot light other than a lights ability to attract you attention faster if oil pressure in engine bottoms out. Really these cars should have both. Especially with the incorporated oil cooler lines if they are old.

yes,old gauge was resting on the pin,so I also put the new one same way.mostly wondering if in 77 they said numbers...use numbers,people like numbers and then in the 80's felt that what we really want are marks(1,2,3).pretty sure pressure is good cause she goes...just not used to seeing higher is all...thanks for your input.