Nixon1

I just have one quick question here. Does teflon tape = electrical tape or no?

I'm wiring up new oil press. and water temp. gauges soon and need to know. :lala:

lykan

Nope totally different. Electrical tape the good stuff usually bonds really good after its been warm a couple of times. The ceap suff looses it's glue and unravels.

Teflon tape has no adhesive quality at all (no sticky stuff). Teflon tape is for sealing threads. Example. I had done the TBI mods, and upon hooking up my fuel lines I tightened them too much and actually cracked the casing of the TBI where the fuel lines screw in . I bought some teflon, wrapped it around the threads, and screwed in the fuel lines, they dont leak any more.

HTH

Lykan

TomP

If you ever have to use teflon tape (as you probably will when screwing in the new sender for your oil pressure gauge), wrap the tape opposite the direction of the threads. Start at the part of the threads that go into the part, and work your way "backwards" up the fitting. Overlap the wraps, but not too much; keep the tape "thin" on the fitting.

If you don't, as you screw the sensor/fitting/whatever in, the tape will unravel itself.

And don't bother trying to cut the tape, just pull it until it snaps.

Nixon1

Well hopefully I wont have to put a new sender in. The gauge came with one but it looks identical to the one currently installed (which is an electric, not a mechanical)

MrDude_1

there is a downside to using teflon tape on electrical senders...

alot of sensors use what they are screwed into as a ground... but if the threads are wrapped in teflon, theres a chance that it doesnt get a good ground...

lykan

Thats an excellent point, one i hadn't thoguht of.

TomP

Good point. I've seen it where guys have added an extra wire to the side of the sender, and grounded it out to a bolt on the block. Nixon, are you replacing the factory gauge with an aftermarket? You might need to use the new sender.

I'd imagine if the teflon were wrapped tightly, and very thin (one layer, slightly overwrapping) that the metal threads of the sender would bite into the block. Only one way to tell... teflon the threads, screw it in, and use a meter to check for resistance between the block and outer edge of the sensor. Should read 0 ohms resistance...

devianb

Yep, thats what I did for my shower nozzles. Teflon tape helps to reduce leaks in plumbing fixtures. I never thought to use it in a car since I always used a little dab of oil or an anti seizing compund.

lykan

BTW most if not all teflon tape is oil/fuel resistant puts a big smile on my face )

Nixon1

Tom, yeah I'm replacing the factory with an aftermarket. The factory has a new electric sender (it was replaced when I got the new engine). The sender that came with the aftermarket gauge, as far as I can tell, looks the same. What I'd prefer to do is actually keep both...run the aftermarket gauge on the same post at the bottom, and attach the stock gauge on top of it if it'll fit. If not, I'll just slip the eye connector over the sender peg and put a nut over it.

TomP

So check the factory sender to see if it puts out the same electrical reading that the aftermarket sensor expects...

Nixon1

Will do. I'll just give the gauge power and ground it and hit the wire on that sender and see what the gauge does. If it doesnt make sense, I'll swap the sender. Hopefully I wont have to...it'd be an extra pain.

The_Raven

Now that this topic has gone off-topic, I will just add my 2 cents.

I never use Teflon tape, I use Pipe sealant AKA "Pipe Dope", it comes in a tube and seals better than tape does, doesn't interfere with electrical connections and is reccomened when you are installing pressure gauges, as Teflon tape if there is any "hanging" below the fitting can break loose and plug the sender or (mechanical) gauge.

Project: 85 2.8 bird

teflon tape is also good for holding still those damn loose bleeder screws while bleeding brakes

Gumby

No matter how you say it. asking a friend or worker out loud for the pipe dope. Never goes over well. Espically in mixed company.

Hey man, did ya bring the DOPE???

Matt

TomP

Off-topic? How do you figure?

The_Raven

The question was "Is Teflon tape the same as electrical tape?"

Then we get into how to make proper sealing with teflon tape on pipe threads, going off topic at aleast a little to me.

Yeah, I get those looks too, probably since most people know I don't smoke any "dope". Sometimes it's just funny to see the reactions.