Temp Gauge help-> Elec. Vrs Mechanical

[DeletedUsername]

I currently have just a dummy temp gauge on my 72 roadrunner. Any pros or Cons you know on using a electrical (digital?) vrs a mechanical temp gauge that uses a capillary line??? If I buy a digital gauge, can I use my old electric temp sending unit thats mounted onto the engine since it has just an electric wire to already? Or do the digital temp gauges use a different sending unit than the ones i have on my dummy gauge now?
Help, I'm confused!!!

[cudabob496]

I went with mechanical cause it was simpler to wire up.

[DanL]

I'd prefer an electric one because, to me, it's easier to hook up. Just string a wire (it's actually already there) from the sending unit to the gauge. You'll need power to the gauge, too, but you should already have that on the dashboard.

I'd guess that an aftermarket electric gauge would use a different sending unit than the stock gauge, but that's strictly a guess.

[DeletedUsername]

Thanks all for the help, does anyone else know if you can use the stock sending unit, or do I have to buy a new one to use a digital gauge? Also, can you run one wire for both the stock dash dummy gauge and the digital gauge?
Thanks in advance again!!

[dwc43]

Mech. gauges are better and in this case the temp gauge will read with the switch off. No wiring to have problems with either. I doubt a digital gauge will allow you to use the old sender unit due to ohms values. Not sure what your calling a dummy gauge, but you should be able to use the stock dash gauge with an aftermarket gauge, but again I doubt you'll be able to use the same sender. Check with Autometer since they make the best gauges on the market.

[dwc43]

One more thing. Digital gauges tend to be slow to respond. Lets look at tachs, as the engine revs the mech. tach or anolog will match the engine speed rpm for rpm. THe digitals will be slow to react and the engine will actually hit the red line before the tach gets there. Something else to keep in mind.

[cageman]

The new guage will come with the sender, so use that one.