I've been curious about the non numbered markings on the oil pressure and temp gauges in my '82 D150. I didn't find any specific info on this forum or others. Does anyone know what the lines correspond to, or care to make a guess? The oil pressure reading shown is where it usually is after about 5 minutes or more running, regardless of engine speed or temp. Pretty slow to rise to that. Lowest long line = 0, or 10? The coolant temp is not fully heated in the photo. It's usually just above the 3rd line after fully warmed. 180 thermostat. Coolant temp sensor is recent.

_________________
1982 Dodge D150 ( Ram)
225 with A833OD. 2bbl. Non power brakes

As I interpret your query, you're looking for a numeric value for the reference lines in the gauges. I don't think anyone is going to be able to help you. Factory gauges, from all manufacturers, are notorious for not being, shall we say, "accurate", They are there to be more of a reference, or guideline, and show a difference from normal. If you're looking for better accuracy, you'll need to go to somewhat expensive aftermarket gauges, and even then, if electric, they are dependent on voltage fluctuations.

Roger

My low mileage 86 D100 had the same gauges as yours. From the time I bought it the oil pressure gauge only went to the second bar. I never liked it and I replaced the sender and it was the same. So I took the sender out and put a temporary gauge in and ran it. It had something like 35# idling and 42-44#running. ( Just going from memory) The truth is the factory gauges are worthless. If you really want a reading you will need to install an aftermarket gauge. Where yours is reading would not concern me.

_________________
2 Mopars come with Spark plug tubes. One is a world class, racing machine. The other is a 426 CI. boat anchor!

12.70 @ 104.6

Thank you gents, for the replies. Yes, the oem gauges seem to be lacking. I'm not concerned on the oil pressure. I've been guessing that the first long line represents 10 psi.

_________________
1982 Dodge D150 ( Ram)
225 with A833OD. 2bbl. Non power brakes

you can resolve the temperature question with a hand held non contact temp sensor,,
warm the motor and see how hot it is close to the engine mounted temperature sender.

what I did while I had the 83 D150 all apart was.

for the temperature gauge I bench wired up the instrument cluster,
set the engine temp sender in a pan on a hot plate with a cooking thermometer immersed
with the engine temp sender. Varied the hot plate temp and recorded the results.

for the oil pressure gauge, again bench wired the instrument cluster, made a connection between the
engine oil pressure sender and an air compressor line. Varied the compressed air pressure and recorded
the results.

as I was installing a 1991 gauge cluster into the 83 D150 I was doing the bench testing as much to verify my integration
of the wiring as to develop a gauge calibration.

_________________
Doo Ron Ron and the Duke of Earl are friends of mine.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uX8Nj8ABEI8

DT, you sure did it up right on the gauge performance checks. Thanks for the tip about the temp gun. I have one of those and will check the temp sometime. I suppose that a check right near the sending unit might be best. As for the oil pressure, an aftermarket gauge will be good idea. I have some bigger projects that I didn't get to this year to do first. Most will wait until Spring.

_________________
1982 Dodge D150 ( Ram)
225 with A833OD. 2bbl. Non power brakes