1972 911E Oil Volume Indicator

[bahman]

My mostly-original '72E did not come with a factory-wired oil volume indication system. The dash instrument has the gauge for it, but is not wired. The oil tank has a solid side facing inside, with a recessed area for oil tank gauge. I believe the wiring is bunched up in the harness which feeds the RH-side tail light.

The factory parts manual shows Tank Gauge 901.641.541.00 for the "S" model.

Is it possible to complete and activate the system by installing the "S" oil tank gauge in the "E" and completing the circuit?

Any advice and guidance is most welcome.

Bahman

[darrin]

if you can access the wires, you should be able to confirm that the gauge is operational by shorting the two wires that feed the gauge (which should cause it to read full) then, yes, would seem straightforward to replace the oil tank with one that has the cutout for the sending unit, add the sending unit and wire it up. That said, the oil level gauge takes some getting used to, as it's only accurate when the car's fully warmed up and is sitting on level ground.

[bahman]

Thanks, Darrin.

Since my tank is the original and rust-free, and has a recessed area for attaching the sending unit, I was contemplating to just cut a hole in the recessed area and install the sending unit, with proper hardware and gaskets. Would that work?

[darrin]

Originally Posted by bahman

Thanks, Darrin.

Since my tank is the original and rust-free, and has a recessed area for attaching the sending unit, I was contemplating to just cut a hole in the recessed area and install the sending unit, with proper hardware and gaskets. Would that work?

If I recall correctly, the bolts used to mount the sender are integrated into the tank.

[bahman]

Darrin,
The parts diagram confirms your recollection. The S tank or Ts and Es equipped with the option do have the mounting studs (no pun intended) as part of the tank. Now I have to decide whether the gauge is worth it, since to measure the volume the engine must idle for a few minutes, and the dipstick can measure the volume at that point, anyway.

Thanks for your help.
Bahman

[darrin]

Originally Posted by bahman

Darrin,
The parts diagram confirms your recollection. The S tank or Ts and Es equipped with the option do have the mounting studs (no pun intended) as part of the tank. Now I have to decide whether the gauge is worth it, since to measure the volume the engine must idle for a few minutes, and the dipstick can measure the volume at that point, anyway.

Thanks for your help.
Bahman

Bahman -- while I'm used to having the oil gauge and it provides me with good feedback, I tend to agree that replacing the tank, adding the sender, etc. will require a lot of $$$ and effort for a minimal gain in info.

[jpnovak]

Very difficult to modify the non-sender version of the tank.

Yes, as long as the dash gauge is plugged into the correct wire and the wires are connected to a sender it should function normally. All 72 have the oil level sender wire integrated into the main harness. The difference is if the rear tail-light harness has the last few feet of wire for connection.

[bahman]

darrin and
jpnovak:

Thank you for your help. For now, I'm going to do without and use my trusty old dipstick.

I will reconsider if I come across a good used '72 tank with the gauge provision.

Bahman

[HarryD]

Bear in mind that the oil tank for a 1972 is unique to this year.

[bahman]

Harry,
Thanks for your input. That exclusivity to ‘72 is what narrows the field for finding a good used or an OE new tank. Hence, thinking of adaptation. I have put it on back-burner for now.

Cheers,
Bahman

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by bahman

Harry,
Thanks for your input. That exclusivity to ‘72 is what narrows the field for finding a good used or an OE new tank. Hence, thinking of adaptation. I have put it on back-burner for now.

Cheers,
Bahman

If you are serious about getting the gauge, I would reach out to the bone yards and let them know you are looking. They have things not listed.

[bahman]

Harry,
I pursued that route earlier. Found out that due to location of the ‘72 tank, most used ones were severely corroded and marginal. I’ll keep my eyes open for one which hopefully may pop up here.

Thanks again.

[kltarga72]

I had a 1972-T (long time ago) and ordered the S package or also called COMFORT GROUP, did that include the oil level indicator? I would have bet money that the oil level gauge was on every model.

[bahman]

Kltarga72,
The gauge itself was on every 911 of that period, but functional only on S package and others if specifically ordered, including Comfort Group.