[poncho-mike]

I've got a guy asking for a 70 gauge cluster for a 70 T/A. I know 70-74 factory clusters have 160 mph speedometers and don't call for leaded fuel, but how can I tell a 70 from the others? I think I remember reading that 70 is a year by itself because it has a smaller connector than 72-74. I think someone also told me 70 & 71 were the same.

Can anybody help me? I have a bunch of Firebird instrument clusters, but I have no way to identify what they fit.

Mike

['ol Pinion head]

The speedo head will only have a narrow rectangular window for the brake light warning on a '70, 71, & early '72 model 160 speedo's. Beginning in mid Dec of '71, the two window style 160 speedo appears. The two windows align up with with a different style filter asm. Similiarly, the early rally gauge housing is different as there is a single bulb, centered, for the brake warning light. For mid '72 models & later the steel gauge mtg housing has two holes, side by side, in that area. The printed circuits are also different due to this design. Before the first repro printed circuits came out, about 20 years ago, it was a real pain to come up with a nice used printed circuit for an early style tach cluster.

[poncho-mike]

Wasn't the plug that plugged into the cluster different? I converted a 73 Formula with idiot lights to a gauge cluster, and I seem to remember the 73 connector had a different number of pins from the 70 gauge cluster I tried to install in it.

When did the water temp gauge change from 250F to 260F?

Mike

[Formulabruce]

1970 has the Black clock knob on it .( this cluster is in a '73 wood grain panel though)

[schultcd]

Mike, I believe that '70-early '72 have a smaller harness connector. Late '72 through late '70s have the same connector size, but the 72 and 73 use a slightly different pinout than the later years. You should be able to identify an early cluster from the smaller connector size and there will be no "fasten seat belts" light, only a "brake" light. I could use a '70 cluster myself if you have one.