Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) 12 Valve Fuel Pressure Gauge Setup ... How To

[FATCAT]

Yes I know, it has been expained before, but I can not find this information during searches. All I find is how to set up a 24 valve fuel pressure gauge ... supposedly easy with those banjo bolts ... but they don't work on 12 valvers.



Who knows or has instructions, parts list, (pictures), on how to do this and where to tap into the fuel lines/fuel pump?



Thanks.

 

[Reb.B]

cummins sells a kit that goes in the lift pump, or u can shim the spring in your pump. Also need to shim or buy the spring for the overflow valve in the injector pump. Usually guys go around 40 psi and some go to 60 psi for sled pulling. The 40 is probably the best psi to run.

 

[illflem]

Think Reb got his post in the wrong thread





I drill and tap the top of the injection pump inlet banjo bolt (removed) to 1/8'' pipe

thread, then install a male x female 1/8'' needle valve with 1/8'' tubing

compression fitting in it. Boost gauge or oil pressure tubing pushed though

some 1/4'' tubing to protect against cuts and kinks to the gauge. For a

gauge you can use a fuel, boost or water pressure gauge. I use rear

connected, liquid filled, stainless water pressure gauges and make my own

mount. They have no lighting but it's not a gauge you need to look at all

the time. They can be mounted low for the same reason. Use no Teflon tape,

it doesn't work with diesel. Instead use anti-seize or Permatex #2. Remember

you are working on the clean side of the filter, keep everything spotless.



If you can tap your manifold for a pyro tapping the banjo bolt is a piece of

cake, Geno's also sells tapped bolts. Just drill from the inside to keep the

hole straight and tap from the outside. You can also connect to the fittings

on top of your fuel filter with the appropriate adapter to tubing if you

don't want to tap or want a pre-filter reading also.

After the install start your engine with the needle valve closed then open

it slowly till someone in the cab signals you that it's just reading

pressure. If you tighten down the packing nut under the valve handle the

setting can't move. The valve will control pulsation and buzzing and can

also be shut down in the unlikely event that you have a leak.



Parts list; 1/8'' needle valve - $2. 50 from the hardware store, plastic oil

pressure tubing kit that comes with the compression fittings - under $10

from an auto parts store. 1/4'' tubing for protective sleeve - less than $2.

Gauge is your choice and may come with tubing. The water pressure gauges I

use cost less than $10, bringing the total cost to less than $25 and a

couple hours of your time.

I have several gauges that have been in service for over 5 years with zero

problems though you may have occasionally close the needle valve a bit more

if the gauge starts pulsating.

 

[The patriot]

Fatcat, if youre fuel filter is the same as my 98 (cannister) all ya got to do is pull the top of the housing, and tap the pre cast bosses in the housing.

This will give you a pressure point for pre, and post filter.

This is what I did.

Eric

 

[Deezul1]

You can buy a fitting from TST that replaces the vent fitting on top of the fuel filter. I used that and a bayonet fitting to run fuel hose about 18" to the sending unit of a VDO oil pressure gauge I had laying around. The one thing to remember is to ground the sending unit. There are a number of different ways to do this. I used a 1/8 pipe TEE at the sending unit and at the center opening I used a pipe plug that had been tapped for a small machine screw (not clear through) and hooked the ground wire to that, works great.

 

[Reb.B]

oops yah i did, lol. sorry guys

 

[FATCAT]

Thank you

Thank you folks, This gives me a start ... wish there was a forum just for "How do you do ... . " with pictures and instructions for the most common enhancements/repairs/maintenance.