Getting a set of gauges for your classic car will let you, the driver, know exactly what your vehicle is doing. Everything from engine rpms, speed, engine temperature and oil pressure to air/fuel ratios and even turbo boost can be obtained with gauges. You can install either electric or mechanical gauges in your classic car.
How do Electric Gauges and Mechanical Gauges Work?
When a gauge is referred to as electric or mechanical, it is referring to the way the gauges get information from your classic car. With a mechanical gauge, you must connect tubing from the engine bay directly to the gauge so that it can take a direct measurement of the medium you are trying to measure. The physical connection is what causes the needle to move in the gauge.
An electrical gauge works by installing a sensor in the engine bay and taking a measurement at the sensor. You must connect a wire to the gauge to send the signal to the gauge. The needle is attached to a motor to control movement rather than being driven by a physical connection.
One thing to note is that when you are looking at the back of gauges, they all have electric wire connections no matter what type they are. An electrical connection is needed on all gauges to provide light for nighttime use.
Electric vs. Mechanical Gauges - Differences
- Mechanical Gauges are full sweep (270’ of needle movement)
- Electric Gauges are short sweep (90’-180’ of needle movement)
- Mechanical Gauges must be connected by tubing to the engine compartment.
- Electric Gauges take a measurement from a sensor installed in the engine bay.
Is an Electric Gauge Better Than a Mechanical One?
There is some debate on this topic, but the truth is that neither gauge has a significant advantage over the other. If you are buying from a reputable company, you do not have to worry about accuracy.
Is an Electric Gauge More Reliable than a Mechanical Gauge?
A properly installed gauge should be reliable no matter what type of gauge it is. However, if there is a failure, mechanical gauges can cause much more damage than electric gauges. If this type of gauge were to fail, it would leak engine fluids inside your classic car, which can quickly lead to a hazardous situation. If you have an electric gauge, any potential failure will simply result in the sensor not working or the sensor leaking in the engine compartment. It is still a headache, but not as bad as having fluids leak into your classic car.
Gauges provide important information about your classic car, and it is something that we spend a fair amount of time looking at while in a car. Once you decide on a set that matches your needs and style, you will want to check out the selection of custom gauge pods. so that you can have a clean factory look to your install. The type of gauge you use also can be determined by whether you want your classic car to be maintained as factory OEM as many vintage cars did come with mechanical gauges.
Why Install Aftermarket Gauges on Your Classic Car?
There is currently a trend in the car industry to eliminate the number of gauges in cars to keep from confusing drivers. Unfortunately, this trend started long ago and that is evident even in the older generation classic cars. As car enthusiasts, we want to get as much information about the car as possible, but did you know that the stock oil pressure gauge only has two positions for on and off? The best way to remedy this situation is with high quality aftermarket gauges.
Is an Electric Gauge Easier to Install on a Classic Car than a Mechanical Gauge?
If you are new to aftermarket gauges, you might be surprised at the number of choices you have, even when comparing gauges that display the same information. There is often a large variance in cost depending on if you are looking at electrical or mechanical gauges, but it may not be clear why that is the case.
For those classic car drivers that want their factory original gauges working there are companies that will rebuild your car gauges back to working condition and, in some cases, convert to more modern technology. Our Business Directory page provides a list of companies that can provide this service.
Do your research on the gauge brand, the look you want for your classic car, and determine if you are going for the factory replacement or a more modern upgrade. Any way you look at have the proper gauges in your can will tell you a lot about how your car is performing and may even help you to avoid a major mechanical problem.
