Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 Engine Temperature Gauges

Thanks guys. What are your thoughts on oil temps vs engine temps? I would imagine the oil is a very slow indicator of engine temp? I have heard that the oil takes a long time to heat up from cold to operating temp, like 20-30 minutes, is this true? In the mean time the engine could be fully (90+%) up to temp I am guessing in say 10 minutes. I am assuming, also if the engine spikes up really hot during operating, the oil temps would be a very slow to follow indicator due to the big thermal mass of the oil tank? Just brainstorming out loud, what are your thoughts?

I think that the oil temperature is a more useful indication than "engine temp", which could be cylinder head temperature I suppose? The engine is air and oil cooled so the oil temp is a more representative figure than cylinder head temp, which will fluctuate with power setting and airflow. The limiting factor is usually the oils safe operating limit and that should be reached long before the engine melts 😁 but the cylinder head temp may still indicate no problem with the crank for example. Oil temp and pressure together gives you a good idea of what is happening to your expensive engine.

Hello together

I always read all these entries with enthusiasm, but have never been active. My name is Patrick and I drive a 2015 M3W.

I've been thinking about installing an oil cooler for a long time. But the gauges would be the better solution to start with.
Does the sandwich plate situation work without affecting ground clearance?

Would these be the right parts (list below) for the installation or have I forgotten something?
(Many thanks to the person who created the list "M3W Alternative Part List")
Or has someone already implemented this and could post photos online?

Many thanks and best regards
Patrick



Connections oil filter:
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/extension-bolt-3-4unf-m-eb-3-4unf?pn=2825
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/...-for-sender-fitment-m-tgasp200x?pn=46096


https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/...g-panel-in-aluminium-for-two-gauges-ip-2

Stack: (expensive!!!!!!!)
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/stack-pro-control-oil-temperature-gauge-st3509-10
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/stack-pro-control-oil-pressure-gauge-st3501-2

VDO:
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/vdo-oil-pressure-gauge-0-5-bar-350010008
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/vdo-pressure-sender-5-bar-with-1-8npt-thread-360081029004
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/vdo-oil-temperature-gauge-310010003
https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/p/vdo-oil-temperature-sender-1-8-npt-thread-a2c1755370001

Welcome to the active part of TM Patrick. What part of the world do you live in? I ask as unless you live in a very hot climate an oil cooler probably isn't really needed for your 2015 car with the Urban Cooling Kit fan. A pressure and temp gauge will allow you to monitor things and check all is well. The main problem I find for most of the time in the UK is getting the oil temperature up rather than down, It often runs at 60 - 80c and should really be up around 100c occasionally to get rid of the moisture in the oil.

If you contact Merlin and say that you are looking to fit oil pressure and temperature gauges, they will know what you require, they have supplied quite a few now. The SPA duel oil temp and pressure gauge fits in well with the other instruments and will fit alongside the steering on the dash if you are prepared to cut the hole? Neater than the extra panel that catches your knee I think but your choice. The sandwich plate doesn't affect ground clearance but you will need to alter the rectifier mounting to allow clearance for the senders. I have a MTWC Bulletin article about this installation, if you want a copy PM me your email, assuming you are not a MTWC member? If you are you can access it from the club website 5 Speeder page.

Glad you appreciate the Alternative Parts List, another update is on the way.

Hello Planenut

Live in Switzerland, but before Covid times I'm in Stratford-upon-Avon about 2x a year. Hopefully we will be able to travel without quarantine soon....

I'll write you a PN with my email address

Hopefully I can post pictures soon
Patrick

Welcome to TM Patrick

One thing to be aware of is the size of the oil pressure sender, the SPA dual gauge that Planenut suggests has a small sender and makes fitting it directly to the sandwich plate possible, I used one similar to the VDO you link to which is large and I couldn't fit it directly to the plate so had to use a remote sender mount which is just a braided line with a manifold on the end that the senders fit into. Not as neat an installation and I now may go the SPA route.

Hello Obie

Now I understand why the SPA is recommended. It makes perfect sense. Thank you very much.

Patrick

the easiest way is to get a brass three way fitting (female) and put two nipple adapters, cut out a section of return hose and fit this there. I used a oil temp sensor/gauge I got from summit racing and with step down adapters this went into the third hole

kind of "steampunk" but I have an in-line cooler which has a fan (from JAGG) and also an in-line fan switch

That cooler is pretty compact. Have you been able to see how much cooler it runs with VS without?