The 'E' Type Forum

I am researching the Oil Pressure gauge used in the 3.8's and would like some feedback. All minor gauges were originally marked 'Made in England' whilst later on, especially for the S2 cars, all the gauges were marked 'Made in UK'. Uniquely the OP gauge does appear on some 3.8 cars as having the 'UK' mark and I have seen it on a March 1962 car. Difficult to know if it was an in-service replacement of course for this famously unreliable gauge ? many owners were hugely concerned about oil pressure back in the day which Service Departments tried to ?solve? by replacing the gauge and sender as a pair. We still agonise over oil pressure to this day, hence the popularity of the JEC oil pressure gauge/sender combo and the various mechanical oil gauge sets available (I have one on my OTS which we use for touring). Only way to be sure is to check the hand written pencil date on the casing. I believe this was added by Jaguar during the build of the console.According to the SPC it changed during the lifetime of the 3.8 from #C15473 (Smiths PE.2300/01) to #C18641 (Smiths PE.2300/02) as did the water temp gauge. The part numbers remained the same for 4.2 production despite the change in lens from blue to green. As far as I can tell the only change was a different bulb holder - #C16898 to #C16897.

So if you have a 3.8 or 4.2 and believe or think the OP gauge is original to the car I would like to know the car number and whether the OP gauge is marked 'England' or 'UK'. If they have the date pencilled on the back it would be even more compelling. I have noticed at least two cars on here (belonging to Yves and Richard) which are alloy dash with a 'UK' OP gauge.

If you need to know why the markings changed: viewtopic.php?p=35884

I have just checked 860403, all the minor gauges are marked the same: 'Made In England', I could see no hand written pencil date on the casing but then the dial casings do have light corrosion so it may come to light during the strip down and will look out for it.

One can never tell of course, but the back of the dials all have the same time patinated appearance which would lead one to believe it is original.

Thanks Richard!

861007 made Nov 62 , made in UK on op gauge other 3 made in England no markings on case.

Adam

For 889474 both the water and oil gages say made in UK. Oil has a very clear "113R" in ink on the back of the case. Water temp has what appears to be 113/?? in ink, but it's faint and I can't be sure. No pencil marking on either. The case on the oil gage is gold anodized while all others are dull gray in color. All gages have blue lenses for the back lighting. Amps and fuel say Made in England.

886987 Sep 62 both Water and OP guages Made in UK, other two Made in England. No pencil markings.

Cheers.

Amp gauge - Lucas marked Made in England
Fuel gauge - Smiths marked Made in England
Oil Pressure - Smiths marked Made in UK
Water temp - Smith marked Made in England

No pencil markings on gauges as far as I can see in the gloomy garage. Can't be certain they have not been changed but they have certainly been there for a few years I would guess. Patina of age!

Car is 860523 made 8th May 1962..FHC

David,
878222 of Oct 62: all 4 gauges including OP are "made in England".
The back of the OP bears Smith Motor Accessories England, and a fainting print "C82/1".
Hope to have been of help.

Just the OP gauge that came with my car 876160 Nov '61 and can only make out the 'Made in ........ It looks like the England or UK writing has come off and the brass can be seen underneath.

Guessing I think it must have said UK because if it was England at least some of the n and d would be visible. Sorry not much help.

Dave

Superb response from all - many thanks. Please keep them coming!

Amp gauge - Lucas marked Made in England
Fuel gauge - Smiths marked Made in UK
Oil Pressure - Smiths marked Made in UK
Water temp - Smith marked Made in UK

DOM Feb 1967.

Mine was built in March, '67 and the gauges are identical to Chris's.

Hi David,

mine is 1E30806 build in March '65 Series 1 4.2 FHC. Water and Oil are Smiths 'Made in UK'. Fuel is Smiths 'Made in England' and Amp meter is Lucas 'Made in England'.

Best regards and happy New year!
Martin

Hi David,

For my 879697 June 1963, OP is made in UK and the others made in England.
Here is what is "write" on the back side gauge.



Best regards
Mich

Amp Gauge - Lucas Made in England
Fuel Gauge - Smiths Made in England
Oil Gauge - Smiths Made in UK
Water Gauge -Smiths Made in UK

DOM: May 1965 S1 4.2 FHC

My fuel gauge looks correct in every respect apart from a small horizontal white line line between the quarter and half tank markings below the main white line, just above the 'in' on made in England. Bit odd?

1962 FHC- 886835

Water gauge: made in England
Oil gauge: made in England
Fuel gauge: made in England
Lucas amps gauge: made in England

NO WORRIES JUST FOUND IT ON SMITH INSTRUMENTS SITE APPARENTLY THE SMALL WHITE LINE IS CORRECT FOR A SERIES 1

caveman wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 25, 2016 11:10 pm

Amp Gauge - Lucas Made in England
Fuel Gauge - Smiths Made in England
Oil Gauge - Smiths Made in UK
Water Gauge -Smiths Made in UK

DOM: May 1965 S1 4.2 FHC

Exactly, the same here on June '64 Production 3.8 OTS - had never spotted the fact that the Ammeter says Lucas and the other gauges were Smiths. When I did some adjustment on the Oil Gauge a few months ago, I found the remnants of the blue light filter in the bottom of the gauge. As such, I believe this was original to the car at that year.

Bernie2015 wrote: ↑

Mon Nov 26, 2018 3:20 pm

NO WORRIES JUST FOUND IT ON SMITH INSTRUMENTS SITE APPARENTLY THE SMALL WHITE LINE IS CORRECT FOR A SERIES 1

Same on mine too ('64 3.8 OTS)