Homemade water pressure gauge???

fseventy

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 20, 2005
Messages
47
1975 135hp Johnson<br /><br />Well.. I shoulden't say homemade, but I have a nice mechanical oil pressure gauge (automotive) that is not getting used. I have seen in other posts about newer engines that have pressure gauges and wondered if adapting a oil pressure gauge to an old outboard would work and be helpful in determining the health of the water pump.<br /><br />I'm guessing I would have to drill and tap a hole in the lower unit somewhere for the pressure fitting to the gauge?!?<br /><br />Is this just an idea that would prove no real benefit?
 

Solittle

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Messages
7,518
Re: Homemade water pressure gauge???

A pressure guage is essential in my book. I doubt that the oil guage will work and considering the cost of rebuilding an overheated engine I don't think this is a place to look to save money. <br /><br />The feed for the guage is somewhere on the powerhead depending on the engine and not on the lower unit.
 

R.Johnson

Rear Admiral
Joined
Sep 24, 2003
Messages
4,446
Re: Homemade water pressure gauge???

I bought my guage from the local business that sell's compressed air equipment. Mine is a low pressure guage that only reads up to 40, or 50 lbs. Check, and see if there is a 1/8" pipe plug on the right side of your block on the top cylinder. Hook in there. Use the hose from a boat speeometer.
 

chicken louie

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jul 16, 2004
Messages
94
Re: Homemade water pressure gauge???

my merc has a fitting on the cylinder case for a water pump round here we use them the thirty pound guage is what i use as when new its around 28 and when it gets to 22 or so we chage the impellar and inspect the pump you can use brass fittings with air line off a eaton fuller gear splitter then i run that air line through a rubber hose to the dash gauges are cheap and you only need power if you want lights
 
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