[R 70 Judge]

I’m a bit confused with my gauge cluster in my 1970 Trans Am and I’m hoping some of the experts can help me identify what I have/what I need. My goal is to have the correct appearing gauges, engine turned dash, and chrome bezels for 1970.

Please correct me if I’m wrong, but I think I have the correct tachometer, wrong speedometer (obviously not 160), correct oil/water gauge, and correct voltage gauge. I’m missing the fuel gauge. I’m guessing the engine turned dash is 74-76?

Just to add my car is non-A/C. Are the heater controls original?

Any input is appreciated

[R 70 Judge]

Few more

[FASTASSBIRD]

Bezel is for sure wrong as it has radial tuned suspension badge. Speedo for sure is wrong l, should be 160 AND only have a brake light. Heater control unit looks correct. 70/71 use de-ice, not defrost like 72 and up

[Peter Serio]

The speedometer and fuel gauge you need look like these 2:

[Ramairnacho]

The 1970 rpm guage is 1 wire only they used 2 wire I believe up to 74. I have 2 or 3 of each. The 250 psi max oil guage was used up to 1973 so that's correct. The 1970 had a black flower knob but if you have a 2 wire yack knob thread different as I learned from another thread. The speedo is to be a 160 mph with seat belt warning at bottom. The fuel has orange under 1/4 tank marks and is 1 year only too. This is my hobby but I like guages alot so always learning. I believe there is a post where someone installed dogital.guages that look the same. I believe mechanics is digital. I'm working but when I get home I'll send you pics of my collection and a 1970 bezel isn't cheap. I seen one at a friend's garage in Sacramento CA about 9 months ago. I have a 1970 formula 400 ra3 and it had warning lights only not goodso im.upgrading along with tilt steering.

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by Ramairnacho

. The speedo is to be a 160 mph with seat belt warning at bottom.

The second warning light under the speedo did not Start to appear until Dec of 1971 for the new Calendar year DOT laws. Any 1970 bird does NOT have the seatbelt warning.
Just trying to keep history correct..

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

The second warning light under the speedo did not Start to appear until Dec of 1971 for the new Calendar year DOT laws. Any 1970 bird does NOT have the seatbelt warning.
Just trying to keep history correct..

Agree!

And I believe the two wire tach started in '72. The '72 has an entirely different wire harness compared to '70-'71.

[72projectbird]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

The second warning light under the speedo did not Start to appear until Dec of 1971 for the new Calendar year DOT laws. Any 1970 bird does NOT have the seatbelt warning.
Just trying to keep history correct..

Can confirm my 70 does not have the seat belt warning light.

[Ramairnacho]

Ok this is correct factory guages. The tqc is a 1 wire that I believe only works on points not on hei or payroll but I might be wrong I need to find out. The fuel is a 1 year only with orange under 1/4 tank. Honestly if you have a 2 wire put the hei and it should be fine, . Like said before speedo had brake only. Temp only 250

[necdb3]

Originally Posted by Ramairnacho

Ok this is correct factory guages. The tqc is a 1 wire that I believe only works on points not on hei or payroll but I might be wrong I need to find out. The fuel is a 1 year only with orange under 1/4 tank. Honestly if you have a 2 wire put the hei and it should be fine, . Like said before speedo had brake only. Temp only 250

Nice find and it even has the original clock knob!

[FrankieT/A]

Originally Posted by Ramairnacho

Ok this is correct factory guages. The tqc is a 1 wire that I believe only works on points not on hei or payroll but I might be wrong I need to find out. The fuel is a 1 year only with orange under 1/4 tank. Honestly if you have a 2 wire put the hei and it should be fine, . Like said before speedo had brake only. Temp only 250

My gages are 1970 one wire deal and I have used HEI with it for years-works perfect and pretty accurate compared to FI hand held.

[Ramairnacho]

I tried sending pics last night it didn't let me I'll try again today

[Ramairnacho]

I'm at work and have a baby I will try My best to help you. I bought 2 correct ralley sets one I had to drive 3 hours for the fuel guage. I'm not bragging for one. But also built as a boy a rally set from parts I found at local wrecking yard not easy either. I have I believe 1 or 8 later 8 grand tacks. I'm not sure if you running stock points still not sure if anyone is but if you are the stock tac will work but not sure if it works on patronix or hei. Another thing is if you still have stock transmission and its accurate with later speedo then that needs to be recalibrate. Yeah I been dormant for 25 years built 5 dIly driver formulas with used parts not date coded and its a lot less stress than this high $ correct stuff. But now adays you can not find a $250 roller any more. I'll try again tonight

[FrankieT/A]

Pretty funny J

[R 70 Judge]

I appreciate the feedback guys. I was able to locate a complete set of 1970 gauges from another board member. Does anyone on the board restore gauges or is there a preferred vendor?

[Ramairnacho]

I was told and will be sending mine to get calibrated to redline guages. You can look up phone number on Google. I also recommend buying a new circuit board for the back and having them calibrate and rebuild your speedometer that check am can be rebuilt and digitized I might do that with a later tack I'm not sure yet to be more accurate

[RAJ7395]

Originally Posted by R 70 Judge

I appreciate the feedback guys. I was able to locate a complete set of 1970 gauges from another board member. Does anyone on the board restore gauges or is there a preferred vendor?

There is a PY member that has been researching what it would take to restore these gauge clusters to like new using high quality USA components.

His estimate for a complete restoration would run around $3500-4000 for a concourse restoration (includes quarts clock conversion, new circuit board, etc.). He stressed that these are the most complex and difficult to work on gauges he's ever dealt with and that there is a tremendous amount of wok that has to be done to get them perfect. At present, he doesn't think that many people would opt for this service due to the high cost and thus isn't currently offering this service.

[Ramairnacho]

I spoke with a assembly worker that mostly does gto clusters not sure I'd same person and a full restoration is about 3k. I have his number on messanger if anyone needs it. I think that was making them completely new again and yes a lot of work. Personally for me, it's just a good driver car and got phone quote of about 250 for speedo and calibration free plus about 500 for digitizing tac to run any distributor plus dialing in clock. I was told it will look the same just updated internals. Im.probably going to.just do speedo for now and back circuit board from.ames. a true 70.shpuld have a small plug in back,big plug started later 72 I believe. M and h is good for harness and redline for guages or this super expert for concourses work.

[Formulabruce]

The money is in the silk screening on these.

[unruhjonny]

that speedometer is from a 1979 Firebird- the colour and font are one model year;
1975-1978 speedo's used white and blue;
1980-1981 used the same colours, but were in a different appearance.

It looks like someone just wanted a dual MPH/KPH speedo, and did away with the original fuel gauge in favour of an aftermarket, and some extras.

Hopefully the latter dash insert saved a 70-72 dash insert from being cut up!