Replacing cluster guages

[trey2398]

I'm updating the panel on my '79 M20J.  While doing the upgrades on the radios I thought that I might replace the horizontal cluster (fuel gauges, fuel pressure, oil pressure, and temp) as the needles are not terribly accurate.  I have not been able to find this gauge anywhere online.  Does anyone have any ideas where to look?  Or should I just note the discrepancy that exists prior to the engine starting a live with it?

[flight2000]

Trey,

If your looking for a new gauge, they are made by Sigma-Tek now.  I bought two new fuel gauges when mine crapped out and they were a direct replacement. I'm assuming they are the same style that are in my E, just horizontal versus 6-pack cluster.  They are built to order, so it takes about a month to get them.  I looked at getting mine overhauled, but it wasn't worth it considering the condition they were in (still originals).

http://www.sigmatek.com/cluster_gauges.html

Welcome to the forum.

Brian

[N601RX]

Quote: flight2000

Trey,

If your looking for a new gauge, they are made by Sigma-Tek now.  I bought two new fuel gauges when mine crapped out and they were a direct replacement. I'm assuming they are the same style that are in my E, just horizontal versus 6-pack cluster.  They are built to order, so it takes about a month to get them.  I looked at getting mine overhauled, but it wasn't worth it considering the condition they were in (still originals).

http://www.sigmatek.com/cluster_gauges.html

Welcome to the forum.

Brian

[flight2000]

They were $325 per gauge, plus shipping if I remember correctly.  I hated the price, but they are the only game in town for new ones.  In this case, I prefer new over used since mine literally fell apart when I took it out.  I've seen them pop up on eBay or on the salvage yard websites every once in awhile.

Brian

[trey2398]

Thanks for the welcome and for the info...........

[rbridges]

Quote: flight2000

They were $325 per gauge, plus shipping if I remember correctly.  I hated the price, but they are the only game in town for new ones.  In this case, I prefer new over used since mine literally fell apart when I took it out.  I've seen them pop up on eBay or on the salvage yard websites every once in awhile.

Brian

[Lood]

Brian, what's your opinion on the Sigma-Tek gauges? Are they worth it in terms of accuracy?

After getting the one setback after the other with my Mooney's engine, I've sort of had it and decided to go all the way. I've already had one fuel tank fixed using the complete strip and reseal method and I'm doing a complete firewall forward overhaul. Both fuel gauges in my cluster, as well as the oil temp are really only there because they have to be. If they do work on a good day, they're completely inaccurate. I've been toying with the idea of a JPI 930, but the cost is a bit high for me at this stage. I actually like the cluster, provided that it works as it should.

[DonMuncy]

Don't replace any gauge without  taking the nuts and terminals off the rear of the insturment and cleaning them really well. I had a both an oil pressure gauge and a cylinder head temp gauge that malfunctioned (sometimes partially and sometimes completely), that both functioned properly after cleaning up the connections.

 

 thanks for the info.  My cylinder temp guage stopped working.  I was having to tap the glass every now and then to get it to register, but now I'm not even getting a heartbeat.

 

[flight2000]

Quote: Lood

Brian, what's your opinion on the Sigma-Tek gauges? Are they worth it in terms of accuracy?

[rbridges]

Quote: DonMuncy

Don't replace any gauge without  taking the nuts and terminals off the rear of the insturment and cleaning them really well. I had a both an oil pressure gauge and a cylinder head temp gauge that malfunctioned (sometimes partially and sometimes completely), that both functioned properly after cleaning up the connections. 

[Cabanaboy]

Quote: DonMuncy

Don't replace any gauge without  taking the nuts and terminals off the rear of the insturment and cleaning them really well. I had a both an oil pressure gauge and a cylinder head temp gauge that malfunctioned (sometimes partially and sometimes completely), that both functioned properly after cleaning up the connections.

 

 thanks for the info.  My cylinder temp guage stopped working.  I was having to tap the glass every now and then to get it to register, but now I'm not even getting a heartbeat.

 

[PTK]

Does anyone have any experience witht the fuel pressure gauge? All my other gauges in the cluster work good. The fuel pressure gauge works too it just reads high off the scale. Any takers?!

[DonMuncy]

On my K model, removing the cluster to get to and remove an individual gauge is a PITA. However, it isn't really necessary to clean the terminals. Just remove the glareshied and use an ispection mirror to see which terminal you are working on. Then remove the nuts and terminals. A bit of steel wool for the posts and/or fine sandpaper for the terminals, and some contact cleaner (acetone would probably work) did the trick for me.

[flight2000]

Quote: CABANABOY

How difficult is it to remove the oil pressure guage from the panel and clean the connections? What did you use to clean them?

[rbridges]

stupid question.  I have a 201 panel in my plane.  Is it hard to remove the glare shield?  I wouldn't mind taking a quick look at the connectors.

[laytonl]

Glare shield is easy to remove. There are three or four screws around the center post and one each on the top on each side.   A right angle screw driver helps.  Lee

[jetdriven]

these are what you want.  They sell them separate, get a couple, and a couple #2 screwdriver bit.    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00941390000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1