Vacuum gauge

[2ndGearRubber]

I believe my "trusty" OTC vacuum gauge has bit the dust. I recently connected it to a leaking purge valve and a valve cover with excessive vacuum due to a bad PCV diaphragm, and in both cases it read 0. Those and exhaust backpressure are my main uses aside from the very rarely performed "actual tune up" on a classic car. I use it once a month or so.


What are you guys using for vacuum gauges? I think I would prefer a "jumpier" gauge to a heavier one, I'll trade a bit of needle wiggle for sensitivity.

Lisle 20300 claims to be USA made, and appears it would fit in my OTC case. Rather small dial though.

Actron CP7803 has a much better sized dial; but I know little about the brand. Same for INNOVA 3620.

 

[vssjim]

I would go ahead with the Lisle as Actron now part of Bosch same as OTC has some good stuff and some cheap stuff.

 

[Buster21]

It should also measure pressure, you could try blowing in the hose and see if the gauge moves, If I remember I think they measure up to 15 psi. I have an old Lisle tool and a Actron that have both held up.

 

[lugnut71]

Mine recently went south as well, I purchased the snap on one this go around, comes with high temp hose and adapters for exhaust back psi

 

[GerMec]

Festo. Made in Germany

 

[zmotorsports]

I have not used either of the two you mentioned.

I have my trusty old Snap-on that I've had for a couple of decades now and still use it. Even on modern cars it is still a valuable diagnosis tool as well as determining the overall health of the engine.

 

[oldwino]

Can't help here. My old OTC vac gauge still going strong. 10+ years old

 

[2ndGearRubber]

https://www.grainger.com/product/ASHCROFT-Compound-Gauge-33HR42

Thoughts on making my own, via an industrial gauge? $78 for an Ashcroft USA made gauge. Add a 1/4 NPT to hose adapter, and it can use the accessories from the OTC kit.

 

[BillK]

https://www.grainger.com/product/ASHCROFT-Compound-Gauge-33HR42

Thoughts on making my own, via an industrial gauge? $78 for an Ashcroft USA made gauge. Add a 1/4 NPT to hose adapter, and it can use the accessories from the OTC kit.

Thats what I did last summer for a tire pressure gauge. Got everything from McMaster Carr.

Boy, Grainger is proud of that gauge.

 

[toplessHO]

got this from Dad
used to be his go to instrument for tuning.
Back in the day it was as important as a scanner is today.
Extra points for having the cardboard box it came in
The sleeve had fallen apart so had to make a new one.

This even has a GLASS lens.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Thats what I did last summer for a tire pressure gauge. Got everything from McMaster Carr.

Boy, Grainger is proud of that gauge.

Ashcroft is a fairly well respected gauge maker for their US made stuff. My father was in the electrical generation industry, and ashcroft was whom his company picked for gauges typically.


I just want something accurate that will last. While cost matters, I use it to make a living and I prize functionality over buying a new $30 OTC unit every 2-3 years. I need to trust my equipment.


_____________________

https://www.grainger.com/product/ASHCROFT-Compound-Gauge-33HT07

The above is now my current front runner, as it has a larger face dial. The franken-gauge, snap on, or a decent cheapo. Reading the reviews on the cheap ones has me leaning away. Snap On comes with additional adapters for 02 sensors, meaning no more using my hollowed out used sensors. It's $220+tax, I figure I could build the ashcroft setup for $115 all in. Snap on appears made is brazil, ashcroft in USA.

 

[dsimatt]

I've bought Mac gauges for years as they always manage to get smashed, as I work with DEF systems on trucks I bought a OTC one as it's blue so can see the difference right away.

 

[Steve_P]

I have a ~30 year old Actron. It's fine, but it doesn't exactly scream high quality; of course I'm guessing it was $20 or less at the time with hoses and adapters. Ashcroft is very well respected and widely used in industry; I've purchased them from McMaster as well.