From: Wally Plumley [wplumley@avana.net]
Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2000 6:10 PM
To: 928
Subject: [928] Re: Fuel Pressure Gauge Installation

At 02:31 PM 7/1/00 -0400, Randy Page wrote:
>Hello all,
>
>I am getting ready to install a rising rate fuel pressure regulator and a
>VDO fuel pressure gauge on my 87.   The shop manuals have all the info I
>need to install the regulator, but I am a bit lost as to where to start with
>the gauge.   All I know is what I have seen on DR's site, which shows the
>gauge mounted to the passenger side fuel rail.
>
>If any of you have installed one of these, I would appreciate any advice!

First, BE CAREFUL!! You are dealing with gasoline under high pressure, and 
gasoline is more dangerous than dynamite.

1) Pull the fuel pump fuse (#42 for the '87), and hit the starter to bleed 
off residual fuel pressure.
2) Being sure to counter-hold the fuel rail, remove the cap from the front 
of the passenger side fuel rail. Use paper towels to catch any fuel 
leakage, and put the wet towels in a safe place. Catch and save the steel 
ball that is inside the cap. Clearly identify it, and put it away so that 
if you ever want to put a new fuel cap on the rail, you will have the 
sealing ball.
3) Drill a 5/16" hole in the center of the cap, getting it as straight and 
smooth as possible. Tap the hole with a 1/8" pipe thread tap. Don't go more 
than about halfway down the tap. Smooth the ends of the threads and remove 
any chips and debris.
4) I do not like to use teflon tape on automobiles, as I have seen far too 
many threads of teflon floating around in the systems later. I prefer to 
use a teflon-containing pipe sealant. Apply your choice of tape or sealant 
to the threads of the gauge, and run it into the cap, but don't tighten it yet.
5) Apply sealant or tape (note - don't ever try to use RTV silicone as a 
sealant on any gasoline system) to the fuel rail threads and screw the cap 
on the fuel rail. Being certain to counterhold the rail, tighten the cap on 
the rail.
6) Counterholding the cap or the rail, tighten the gauge until it is 
oriented the way that you want it.
7) Reinstall the fuel pump fuse, crank the car and carefully check for 
leaks. Check for leaks often for the next few weeks - you certainly don't 
want a high-pressure fuel leak on top of your engine!

Wally Plumley
928 Specialists