I actually made a different thread on the gauge section about the value of an oil temp. gauge, since this thread has gravitated that direction what is the value of an oil temp gauge when you are already running a water temp gauge? I do not have a water temp gauge on my newly rebuilt 440, I was going to rely on the stock in dash temp gauge. So I had it running yesterday (after getting it unflooded and timed). The stock water temp. gauge read normal but my oil temp gauge read about 195* and the upper radiator hose was pretty stiff, leading me to believe the water gauge was inaccurate and the motor was getting hotter than it should be, so I shut it down. So what is a normal oil temperature?
I'm use to sitting in the engineering control room of a nuclear submarine, and having hundreds of gauges in front of me, so
that could be my affinity for gauges. Of course, in a submarine, having something go wrong and not responding quick enough
could get you squished at 10,000 feet. The oil temp gauge on my Cuda taps into the drain plug on my oil pan. I even have a temp
gauge on my differential. And, of course, recently, an air/fuel ratio meter. All these gauges help me know whats going on in the car,
and alert to any problems. I guess I hate problems sneaking up on me, and then having something break before I have a chance to fix it.
I have a 7 quart pan, but deliberately run 1 quart low. An oil temp gauge could alert to various problems, such as low oil level, or it can help
you know when your oil is hot enough, before deciding to race the motor. You might think water temp is enough to monitor, but
sometimes gauges break/stick, etc.
All my gauges may be a little overkill, but I wish I had a low oil pressure light (which I do now), when I burped a lifter
and oil pressure immediately went to 0 psi. Drove for a couple of miles with no oil pressure. Synthetic oil saved my bacon in
that instance, I think.
And, I admit, sometimes I install a gauge for something to do in the winter!
