Installing VDO Gauges

[Jona1971]

Hello,

inspired by the Wiki I am attempting to install VDO gauges in my venerable M10.

Realoem has my oil pressure switch in the oil filter housing as stated in the Wiki. In reality my oil pressure switch is in the distributor flange, also shown on Realoem (same chassis number search).

So, I tried to install my T-piece in the distributor flange but the distributor vacuum thingy is in the way. I've tried to order a shorter T-piece but it doesn't seem to be available in 30mm (M12x1.5) just the 50mm length.



Should I:
1. perservere with the distributor flange installation by rotating the distributor out of the way, and then re-set the timing,
2. drill and tap a nice 12mm hole in the oil filter housing shown in the pic above for my T-piece,
3. buy one of those oil filter sandwich adaptors, or
4. something else?

Any advice, bar changing the engine, greatly received.

[Jona1971]

Hi,

Can I drill and tap that central hole to fit a T-Piece?
Or, am I being daft?
Thanks,

[DanThe]

Whats wrong with the standard oil pressure switch location? Plenty of room up there on the back of the head from what I remember, if it really is a problem you can use a banjo fitting to bring the T piece out away from the hole

[Jona1971]

Brilliant - never considered a Banjo fitting. Forgive my ignorance, but which type? I've only ever used them on motorbake brakes.

The WIKI (and Realoem) say the standard oil pressure switch location is in that hole in the oil filter housing) but its actually at the back of the head as you say.

Also, smaller hole on banjo fitting = larger pressure reading on the gauge?

Thanks for your input,

[Jona1971]

OK, I twiddled my distributor out of the way and the T-piece went in fine. But not with the adaptor and temp sender - with that lot on you can't rotate the distributor back again.

So, I've ordered an oil filter housing gasket from BMW to remove, tap and drill that centre hole to fit the senders.

[Jona1971]

I eventually installed the T-Piece as DanThe suggested - where the oil pressure sender is behind the Distributor on the M10 engine. The only problem was I had to turn the distributor cap 180 degrees and time it off pot 4 instead of No.1 as the T-piece wanted to occupy the same space as part of the distributor assembly.

[KW355]

You mention an oil temp sensor in one of your posts. If you fit that in to a tee piece you will get a false temp reading.

[Jona1971]

Aaaahhh, yes it is reading way too low.

Any suggestions?

[KW355]

Replied in your other Audi gauge post