Oil Pressure Sender Dimension

Excuse my naivte' on this, but why is the sender any more infamous than any other Dino part? Have been on F-chat/246 for over 2 yrs and this is the first allusion I've heard on this subject. Am I missing something? BTW, my oil press gauge never registers more than about 1/3 of total range (1/3 up from zero), even when fully warmed; is this abnormal (car runs cool w/ no known engine probs currently)?

 

Coop, my two Dinos both run low indicated oil pressure. One-third gauge reading is about right at operating termperature. The idiot light does not come on when, at idle, the oil pressue reading is close to zero. This suggests to me that the oil pressure is correct, with the analog meter providing incorrect data. I believe that this is standard operating procedure, and may be related to the rumored mismatch in impedance between the gauge and sending unit. Someone has suggested that the factory provided the wrong sending unit for the gauge (perhaps the Daytona unit, which I suspect is no different than the Dino unit).

Anyway, a shunt resistor from the transducer to ground of approximately 500 ohms (as per John Corbani's post of years past) will make you feel better. It does nothing for the oil pressure, but at least you see proper gauge reading.

It is sort of like the old coffee machines (that filled a cup) with the extra cream, extra sugar buttons. There were no wires connected to those buttons. You pushed them and felt better because you thought you were getting something extra.

Jim S.

 

I replaced mine some time ago with the part that Mike had at superformance. Now you all have me wondering.

What is the "correct" oil pressure for the Dino, warmed up at idle? How about at 3-5K rpm.

Just looking for some calibration.

Dave

 

1/4 scale at 1100 idle, half scale above 2500. Very little upward change with RPM. My oil pressure regulator works just fine. I used a nice round dial gauge to set my reading when I replaced the stock sender with a Nissan unit. I had to add a resistor in series to get mid-scale dead on. 85 psi as well as I could measure, just like the gauge says. Been fine for 10+ years. Only required a brass metric pipe adapter that I got at the local Pep Boys. Don't remember the sizes and didn't save the old sender. Now I save virtually all the dead bodies. Will be useful eventually. Live and learn.
John

 

Good luck getting anyone to answer your question.

You have ignited another debate on what the right oil pressure should be.

 

If this contributes anything, I have a lowly 400A with the same readings: near zero at idle, rarely above a third anytime.

 

Just rebuilt my engine with new oil pump gears as the originals were pretty worn out.

Runs the best i have ever known it, but the oil pressure gauge still shows exactly the same as it did before regardless of the new pump, synthetic or mineral oil used (running mineral at the moment for the first 1000miles)

At 50mph the gauge is just below the 85psi, at idle it is about 1/3 up.

If you haven't got a problem why invent one!!!!

 

I can echo what Tony says.

Did a little road research this AM. At idle, warmed up mine is about 1/2 way between 85 and 0.

At 4-6K rpm, under load, warmed up, a touch over 85.

 

I had my motor rebuilt about 1100 mi. ago. I paid attention today and at idle oil pressure is about 2/3 of the way to 85. Around 3-4.5k rpm it is around 85. At higher rpm my gauge reads almost half way between the 85 and 140. High?? Not sure, but no oil drips, smoke, nothing. Runs like a top. I guess I'd rather have too much rather than too little oip pressure. Marc

 

Post #11

Nobody has apparently read your question.

I don't have one to measure and I don't think you really want a guess.

 

Greetings,

A friend of mine, who is not an F-chat member, is searching for the correct oil pressure sending unit for his 246 Dino. He told me, and "swears" that, the sending unit on his Dino's block has 12mm x 125 size threads. After calling several Ferrari parts houses they all told him that the thread size is 14mm and even a size larger, a size that I can't remember at the moment.

At any rate does anyone on the board know where the CORRECT sending unit for a Dino can be sourced? Is the Dino oil pressure sending unit really the same one as used on a Daytona? Lastly is the correct thread size really 12mm x 125? I am simply posting this as a favor for a friend and know nothing about this subject. Any help and advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Tim

 

There is only one who has a lucid, deeply researched & well thought out explanation to this- JSelevan. Pay attention!!

 

Thank you. I believe that I made an error in my previous post. The Dino may actually be a 206 since it is, from what I have been told a '67 model year. Did the 206 (2L engine) use a different oil pressure sending unit as compared to the 246? This may explain 12mm x 125 threads?

 

Tim,

attached photo shows the one I took off my car a few years ago. I am fairly confident that this is original (comprehensive history of all work done by previous original owner). I still have the sender and just checked the threads. They are as shown.

there was nothing wrong with this sender, other than the plating being a bit warn, and the oil pressure reading looking low on the dial even though engine was in top condition (about 1/3 from zero at normal driving speed). I understand from many, this was a common issue.

I replaced mine with the sender from superformance. The pressure needle was more 50% across the dial (i.e vertical) for the same driving speeds. I am happy.

I just looked at this sender in the engine. Looks to me like the superformance sender is one part, i.e. without the thread adapter, M16x1.5 straight into the head.

Kevin
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The sender to the block adapter is 12mm (assuming re-using the adapter) and can be bought for under $38 (p/n OP682)
http://www.centerlinealfa.com/products/images/pages/electrical.pdf


I thought we had this in the 206/246 spare parts sticky thread, but can't seem to find it so will add it.

 

Gentlemen,

Thank you so much for this information, I will pass this on to my friend for sure! The photo is very helpful as well. As they say "a picture is worth a 1000 words".

All the best,

Tim