Water Pressure Gauge Installation

[kshelly]

1974 115HP V-4 Johnson O/B. I'm attempting to install an OMC Water Pressure Gauge Kit, P/N 124498. According to instructions, this kit fits V-4 engines, but doesn't specify a year. Following the installation instructions, I'm suppose to tap into the "overboard indicator hose". A picture shows this hose at the lower right hand corner of the block. My engine doesn't have this hose installed. The block has all bolts, no plugs or fittings (at least none that I can find). Any suggestions on where I can install the indicator hose?<br />Thanks!

 

[fishinhole]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

If your motor does not have a pee hose, you will have to tap into the head, BUT! GO! to your dealer and ask him where, its to hard to explain here.

 

[kshelly]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

I have the resources to drill & tap the block (drill press, tap & die kit). Seems like alot of work just to install the gauge. No other options? No additional places on engine where I can tap this pressure? Does anyone know specifically where I would need to tap the block? I'd ask my local boat mechanic if I knew where I could find one!<br />Thanks!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Not familiar with your motor, but....<br /><br />Are the thermostats buried in that motor, or is there an external thermostat housing and cover. If so, look around on it for a hole with a treaded plug in it.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

hey i have similar motor, mine is a 1972 50hp... wich doesnt have a pee hole.. dont tap the head unless you are 100% confident in your tapping abilities... your water goes out the prop and exhaust ports. you dont have water pressure, at least not how that gauge was designed for. <br /><br />what i did was get teleflex part number 13625p. at least that the number on the boatersworld.com website and in their catolog. its 29.99 and designed just for older omc engine without the water hose.. sell that thing you got on ebay....<br /><br />instead of measuring water temp, it measure enginge block temp, there is a 1/2 inch wide hole on your block on the port side if engine block, sender goes in there... go to teleflex website if you need more info

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

here is the link to the guage... outboard temp guage

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Dont tap into the head. You can tap into the bolck right above the number 1 cylinder in the water jacket. That will also vent the block.

 

[kshelly]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Sounds like I have options, but....<br />it seems to me some of the suggestions are a little off track. I'm looking to install water PRESSURE, not TEMPERATURE. Quite frankly I can care less about temperature, unless everyone's suggesting that an increase in temperature may or may not indicate water pump/overheat problems. Is everyone suggesting that due to the fact I have no pee hose I need to use temperature instead of pressure?

 

[dsnyder]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Sounds like you're involved in the same kind of project I am!<br /><br />I'm trying to install a water pressure gauge in my 1985 Johnson 90hp V4. However, I don't have the directions that you obviously do. My engine does have a pee hole hose. Do your directions suggest just putting a "T" into the pee hole hose if one is available? Would you mind emailing or posting the directions? email address: dms54@copper.net<br /><br />Thanks <br /><br />Dave

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Personally I prefer a pressure gauge. Both can't hurt though. <br /><br />A pressure gauge tells you what is going on. A temp gauge tells you what has already happened. Your motor has an overheat alarm. Make sure it's working.<br /><br />You can tap into the water jacket cover but it may be pretty thin. If it had a raised little square in the bottom right hand corner you can tap in there. Be careful when drilling not to go thru the inner exhaust plate. You can replace that plate with one that has the hole in it or you can tap into the top of the block.

 

[kshelly]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

There is a raised portion in the lower right hand corner. It's where my Clymer manual shows the port for later engines. I have to admit I'm a little hesitant about drilling...

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

if you are hesitant, DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!! its just that easy!!!!!!! either have dealer do it or get temp guage......

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

I would have to agree to turn it over to someone then or get a plate with the tapped hole already there.<br /><br />Comletely understandable to be timid with the drill.

 

[kshelly]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

This is beginning to sound like a big (or should I say expensive) undertaking just to install this gauge. I'm bummed! OK, so where can I get a water jacket cover with the pre drilled hole if I chicken-out and decide not to test my drill & tap technique?

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

temp guage will do same thing with no drilling.....

 

[kshelly]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Temp gauge would be a nice addition, but I already have the water pressure kit in my hand. Besides, if the wife sees another $40 gauge for this boat coming through the mail I'll be in a tougher jam than deciding whether or not to drill for the pressure fitting!

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Call jeff at Flagship Marine Engine Company. 800-282-2840. They have lots of those plates and can supply the gaskets too. Tell him what youre doing -- he can send a plate with the plastic elbow in it already. If your bolts dont look the greatest, they can supply those too. Oh, you might as well buy the hose while youre at it. <br /><br />Good luck!

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

sell it on ebay.com... wifey would never know...

 

[kshelly]

Re: Water Pressure Gauge Installation

Thanks to everyone who made suggestions. I took the bull by the horns today. I removed the plate, saw exactly where the water port was in the block, drilled my hole, installed a fitting from an old speedometer (worked great), job done! All that's left is crossing my fingers and hoping for a leak-free installation when I fire this thing up! Thanks again!!!!