Vacuum Gauge Help
 

Hey all I recently purchased an APC mechanical Vacuum gauge and I'm trying to figure out how to install it. I know that running it through the brake boost line is possible but the T that I was supplied with is too small for that line. I'm trying to figure out where the best place to hook this thing up is, but I have a very very limited knowledge of engines. I have a Chilton's manual for the 1998-2000 accord, but it doesn't give much information about the j30a1 V6 model. Any suggestions?

Thanks
-Ferr3t

You can tap into any vacuum hose that connects to the intake manifold or throttle body AFTER the throttle plate. If you need different connectors run to your local hardware store.

Thanks for your quick reply. I have another question (this one will sound even more stupid than the first) :(, how do I know which of the hoses are vacuum hoses? I know the large ones are vacuums but I don't want to cut into a fuel line or anything else. To an outsider like me, they all look the same other than a difference in size, they are all black rubber tubes.
I apologize for my lack of knowledge.

No need to worry, we're all here to learn no matter if its simple or complex.

The only other very rare possibility that I can think of would be a coolant line. Coolant lines would be a very sturdy and reinforced line since they hold pressure. You can usually tell they have a braided thread in them. However, its rare that they'd run a coolant hose to the manifold.

I'm not sure about your accord, but I'm pretty sure that the 94-96 honda accord 4 cylinder has a coolant line running to the throttle body, and I know the mid 90s civics have coolant running through the same area. I'll try to check on my car tonight and make sure, though.

I want to thank everyone who responded for their help. I finally bit the bullet and snipped one of the tubes from the intake manifold to what I believe is the 'surge tank' (?). That's where I installed the T and I' get a vacuum reading of about 22 inches.

Since we're talking about mechanical vacuum gauge installation, where do you plug the electrical wires to the car ? (that's rather for backlightning, would be same for any other backlighted gauge :) ) near the fuse box or somewhere else ?

edit : I'm talking about the gauge with smoked glass, so you cannot read a thing unless it's enlighten ^^. Will the wire connected to the car radio be good for that ?

You could use fuse box terminals. A switched connection would be best though (so the light goes off when the ignition is shut off). Remember to use a fuse!

thanks a lot:)
Any idea where to get stuff to plug wires + fuse ? or just the "common name" so i can order it :) (i saw one of these once here... can't remember where :( )

I found that my mechanical vacuum gauge 'fluttered' at low rpm, so bad it actually rattled and swung wildly over 30% of the gauge's useful range, at idle.

It wasn't so bad at first, but over time became very annoying. I could pinch the vacuum line between my thumb and forefinger, which would damp the erratic signal without interfering with the valuable feedback the gauge gives me under part-throttle operations.

I solved this last night by installing an in-line vacuum restrictor. My Metro uses 3/16" line and required Dorman p/n 47311. if you car uses 1/4" line, there is a different part number for that size.

It works like a champ :thumbup: