Adjustable Oil Warning Switch - Threads don't match

[easelboy1]

I bought an Adjustable Oil Warning Switch from Smart Racing Products some time ago and am just getting around to installing. Don't see much info on the forums - but has anyone had issues installing this switch? I have a 3.2 engine with the stock switch and I swear the threads don't appear to match and I don't want to force it....


Any thoughts?

[NineOhOne]

Did you measure the threads with a thread gauge or are you just "eyeballin'" it?

[easelboy1]

Haven't measured thread count yet but clearly the "new" switch does not simply screw in by hand - have not forced the issue since any damage would directly affect engine case.

Will measure this evening - but I take it that you have had no issue installing?

[easelboy1]

10 mm extra fine is what the SRP oil switch is reading....

[moneymanager]

I did the same thing about 5 years ago. I think I remember there might be an adapter of some kind. Ask Pegasus or Smart.

[easelboy1]

Thanks Moneymanager - I just shot an email off to SRP.

[easelboy1]

Got a reply from SRP and they are suggesting an OEM adapter will do the trick - part number 901-101-175-01. Seems counter-intuitive based on the engine types that are listed for this adapter but I will let you all know if this is the fix....

[easelboy1]

I thought I would follow up on my post so as not to confuse folks that may have similar issues in the future.

First off my bad - apparently the threading of the switch is not an issue in this instance; additionally, the OEM part #901-101-175-01 fits the car perfectly but is not the solution to this problem as the 3.2 engine case comes with this part already installed.

The issue it appears was not that obvious to me as I am installing the switch with the engine still in the car. The problem was that the wider body of the adjustable switch is obstructed by what I am guessing is the breather cover. Since I am working with my hands only with a minimum visual on the port itself, it was easy to assume that the threads did not fit.

I have ordered an adapter from Pegasus (1/8 NPT Female to 4AN Male Bulkhead Connector) to lift the switch above the obstruction and tapped the OEM fitting with a 7/16 - 20 count to come up with this:



I am hoping to install this weekend.

[easelboy1]

The install went well. Opted to ground on G4 by fuel filter. I have left the rubber stopper off of the switch so that I can raise and lower pressure warnings on and off track. Installed the adapter with a coating of Curil T on the washer.

On the 3.2 engine the back dated heater has eliminated the blower and my hand fits around Airflow sensor. Tight fit to get the Allen wrench in (6mm, I believe?). So I do have that ability to adjust without removing the Airbox.

The pressure adjustment switch is not gradated. So it is a bit of a guessing game. I started with the dial turned in so that it had travelled the farthest down the adjustment tube that it could. I then dialed it up from there once the car was sewed up and driven to operating temp. I made it to about half way up the tube for the warning light to come on for a hot idle

Here is the image of the set up that was installed:

[easelboy1]

The idiot light triggered at hot idle

[moneymanager]

Sorry I helped derail you at the start but it came out nicely. Had I known about this switch when I did my install, I'd have used it. Instead I bought a fixed switch which clicks in at a high 30 lbs or so. To avoid seeing it a lot of the time on the street, I put a switch in the line so I can turn it off. At the track I never see it except when idling after a hard run. My theory was set the pressure high to get the earliest warning possible of major failure. Two years ago at Laguna a tire wore thru a rear oil line and dumped several quarts on the track. Somehow I figured out I had a big problem before the light even came on. But it was comforting to know that the light was there and would have let me shut down before big damage if I'd driven a bit further. I was motivated to make this change by a friend who drove an entire (very expensive) lap without oil before he sensed a problem! I think you've made a very wise investment.

[easelboy1]

Moneymanger - no derailment was caused by you. In fact you opened up a direction for me on this project. The switch was ready to go back into the failed project bin we all keep in the garage behind the oil containers at the start of this post...

The problem really was me - I tried to believe I had a surgeon's hands and was able to feel my way through enough to make a decision on what was going one...as a result I started off with an incorrect assumption. SRP to their credit offered a solution based on the information I gave them.

So no issues - and thank you for following up! And yes, I think this will be a great safety net for the car - and might even offer a reminder that I am off throttle on the track (when I shouldn't be...)

[moneymanager]

Interesting idea. I wonder if it will work. With my 30lb setting, the flashing of the light seems to follow the revs coming down by an interval. I'll be interested to see if you can set the adjustment to a point which lets you see if you are off throttle.