Calibrating your Gauges?

Monte Howard · 01-28-2010, 07:15 PM

I just recently (16 months ago) started a new job at a natural gas compressor station.
Well about six months ago a old timer there was showing me how they use to use these old dead weight tester's to calibrate everything at the plant, gauges ect. Well today I remebered after he showed these old dead weight tester's to me that I wanted to test my gauges on my race car,So I went and got the old timer and he refreshed my memory on using the tester.

I have not tested my gauges yet,But i grabbed three old gauges laying around the shop and they were all off between 2 - 4 PSI.

That got me thinking how many of us have been running lower fuel pressure than we thought,well I know I wasn't because I adjusted my reg. up till it blew by the needle & seat then backed off 1 PSI.

How many of us have been running 24 PSI in our Slicks only to find out we really might be running 28 or 20?

But I thought I would throw this out there to see if anyone calibrates their gauges.

Also anyone have a old dead weight tester laying around, I would like to buy one,Even though I have access to one at work I would like to have one at home also.

Danny Ashley · 01-28-2010, 08:45 PM

Monte:
Just how much pressure did it take to blow by the needle & seat? Also, what size are you using? Need to know cause as you know....... I'm a Q-Jet Junkie. Don't mean to hi-jack your thread though. Danny

FED 387 · 01-28-2010, 08:55 PM

Monte--sent u a PM--Comp387

Monte Howard · 01-28-2010, 11:14 PM

Danny I use the Edelbrock needle & seat .149 if I remeber correctly, 10.5 lbs. is were it blew the needle & seat (this is my stocker with a dead head pump & big holley regulator) .
I set my fuel pressure at 9 to 9.25,I know that sounds high but it works.
When you start the car you can not let the pump run too long before the car starts,I start the car then turn the pump on, Getting fuel samples are a trick also you have to be fast or the fuel pressure will creap and blow the needle & seat .

01-28-2010, 07:15 PM	#1
Monte Howard Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Potomac,IL Posts: 277 Likes: 1 Liked 60 Times in 21 Posts	Calibrating your Gauges? I just recently (16 months ago) started a new job at a natural gas compressor station. Well about six months ago a old timer there was showing me how they use to use these old dead weight tester's to calibrate everything at the plant, gauges ect. Well today I remebered after he showed these old dead weight tester's to me that I wanted to test my gauges on my race car,So I went and got the old timer and he refreshed my memory on using the tester. I have not tested my gauges yet,But i grabbed three old gauges laying around the shop and they were all off between 2 - 4 PSI. That got me thinking how many of us have been running lower fuel pressure than we thought,well I know I wasn't because I adjusted my reg. up till it blew by the needle & seat then backed off 1 PSI. How many of us have been running 24 PSI in our Slicks only to find out we really might be running 28 or 20? But I thought I would throw this out there to see if anyone calibrates their gauges. Also anyone have a old dead weight tester laying around, I would like to buy one,Even though I have access to one at work I would like to have one at home also. __________________ Monte Howard 3209 STK, 3208 SS

01-28-2010, 08:45 PM	#2
Danny Ashley Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Marion,In. Posts: 267 Likes: 60 Liked 110 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Calibrating your Gauges? Monte: Just how much pressure did it take to blow by the needle & seat? Also, what size are you using? Need to know cause as you know....... I'm a Q-Jet Junkie. Don't mean to hi-jack your thread though. Danny

01-28-2010, 08:55 PM	#3
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,409 Likes: 504 Liked 328 Times in 176 Posts	Re: Calibrating your Gauges? Monte--sent u a PM--Comp387

01-28-2010, 11:14 PM	#4
Monte Howard Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Potomac,IL Posts: 277 Likes: 1 Liked 60 Times in 21 Posts	Re: Calibrating your Gauges? Danny I use the Edelbrock needle & seat .149 if I remeber correctly, 10.5 lbs. is were it blew the needle & seat (this is my stocker with a dead head pump & big holley regulator) . I set my fuel pressure at 9 to 9.25,I know that sounds high but it works. When you start the car you can not let the pump run too long before the car starts,I start the car then turn the pump on, Getting fuel samples are a trick also you have to be fast or the fuel pressure will creap and blow the needle & seat . __________________ Monte Howard 3209 STK, 3208 SS