65pacecar

Opinions on the use of a fuel gauge Isolator for a Mechanical gauge the will be mounted either on the pillar or dash. Using Autometer gauge so it matches the rest of the gauges in the truck.

Shortshift

Always use an isolator. Nothing worse than having diesel leak in the cab while youre trying to drive.

No, isolators are not as reliable as going direct, but way safer in the long run.

Shovelhead

I installed my mechanical fuel pressure gauge on the dashboard with no isolator in January of 2000.
115,000 miles later...still haven't had a single drip of fuel in the truck.

dzlfarmboy

I tried the isolators deal, didn't work to good so i've been running it strait to the gauge with a 1/8 nylon boost tube kit for a long time on my truck and a few customers trucks, no problems with leaks at all, just wrap the threads good with some teflon tape and you should be fine.

erics76

I installed my gauges in March 2003. No isolator on the fuel pressure gauge. Ran it with stainless braided line. No problems what so ever in over 4 years.

Shortshift

With your racing experience I respect you're opinion. Only thing is I have found diesel will weep past teflon tape. Permatex #2 seems to hold it back a little better IMO, but hey, I dont have 790Hp so what do i know..

Also, there have been complaints in the past from people running steel braided line all the way to the gauge. Some people have experienced a rattling noise being transferred by the line to the gauge.

There is no right or wrong here, just take your gamble..

Russ Roth

I just put a gauge in my buddies rig with an isolator. Once I got it installed correctly it worked perfect and will as long as no leak develops. I think it's probably better to not have fuel in the cab although mine is that way and have not had any trouble in more than a year.

Shovelhead

That's what the $5.00 needle valve is for.



As for the teflon tape, I don't use it on anything in my fuel system.
Too easy for a little sliver to get into the Injection pump.
I use a bit of Teflon paste ONLY on the NPT fittings, all AN fittings are designed to be fitted without sealant.

erics76

To keep the rattling from occurring, I took about 3 feet of clear plastic tubing and split it down the middle, put it over the braided line in the cab and secured it with zip ties. No rattles in 4 years.

I was a little worried about not using a isolator, but after several reassurances from the seller, I decided to go without. I'm glad I did. My system is trouble free, and I don't have to mess with isolators.

erics76

I suspect I got my setup from the same place Shovelhead did. I have the same needle valve and line on mine. Same ammount of problems too, which is zero.

dzlfarmboy

Really? I wouldn't think insulating the steel house would take the rattling out it's usually caused by the pulses from the injection pump. You can notice how the pulsations change with RPM injected.

erics76

I insulated it to keep the line from rattling around in the dash. I can hear a faint rattle when I have the radio and a/c off and the windows up. Really have to listen to hear it. Since there is no time when all 3 of those things are happening, it's never bothered me. If that sound is enough to bother someone, then the sound of the engine should drive them crazy. I always thought it was the boost line rattling in the dash.

dieselrob

My isolator work fine for a year, then i replaced a pump i didnt have to because the isolator started to stick. I dealt with problems for a while till i ditched it and put the walbro on and dont even look at that gauge anymore. Just my experience. Its pretty much what ever you feel like, some have no problems and some have them.

dzlfarmboy

I can't get enough of how the motor sounds but i've had mine and some others rattle real bad when reading from between the injection pump and fuel filter, but if you put snubber or a shut off valve and barily crack it open it gets rid of the gauge rattle.

TxDiesel007

thats a big

H E DOUBLE HOCKEY STICK no! i had mine removed, fuel pressure readings were very innacurate.. just run it into the cab... and use some good thread sealer..

RIck

Pics of FP gauge setup in my gallery...