FWIW, to adapt an oil pressure gage to the stock sender port on the M20 engine you need an M12-1.5 to 1/8 NPT adapter. Not easy to find. I found one on ebay, this place: http://www.egauges.com/vdo_acce.asp?Subgroup=Metric_Adapter_Bushings&Manf=All also has them but the charge a huge UPS ground shipping fee ($11+ fior zone 8 1 pound?)
Now you know why I change the sender instead. Even if you get a bad one, the odds against getting two bad ones in a row are astronomical - and will still cost you less than this adapter.
I want to know the numbers that exist in the engine at speed and at idle. This will tell me if the bottom end is likely to hold together for the next XXXXX miles.i I'm not seeing something like a suspected idiot light failure.but want diagnostic information to decide whether I want to continue working on fixing the things that are worng/worn out on the car. If the engine is near toast, I don';t want to spend any more money or time on it. If it seems solid, than i shall. a new sender does zero for my objective, thus would be a total waste of money whereas the adapter improves the likelihood of a leak-free testing assembly. and, would allow installation of a dash gauge should I wish (though not in my present plan)
Just so you know, low oil pressure on these motors is very very rare. If the motor makes lots of noise, then I would worry. If the compression test comes up poor, then maybe worry. If the cam lobes are squared off, there is a problem. Otherwise, Botond has over 300k on his and I have seen 400k on an unopened motor. THe head gasket is likely to leak oil and/or coolant down the right side of the block by now, though.
Will inspect closely for this seepage this weekend when I change oil and check RE and Trans.. no coolant leak I have noticed, not oil loss. no noises. runs well. good compression (150 +- when I last tested it) on all holes. I know cam drive belt was replaced, as well has water pump and hoses. odo says 220,000 I think it is closer to 270. (fixing cluster is on the list). then I shall I check oil P. <G> Trans very noisy in 1-3, quieter in 4-5. Have been told it is bad bearing on first motion shaft. I suspect it is not likely to fail and strand me. Will replace this weekend with Red Line MT90 (MTL's in there now) and some Lucas stabilizeer. it might quiet it a bit, can't hurt.
It might make it difficult to shift when cold, but you can always change it if it doesn't work out. Sounds like it should be just fine overall.
