[Zenith]

Hmm. I have a fairly simple question that will probably attract a far simpler answer.

I have a 73 Ventura that is in need of some real gauges! I have a standard Oil PSI/Voltage/Water temp 3 gauge cluster to be installed sometime.

My problem is I haven't been able to spot a suitable hole to poke the cabling through the firewall. Mind you I haven't dealt with this sort of thing before, so I'm going to throw myself onto the mercy of the forum.

Where should I be looking? Where would you put it through?

Halp?

[69f bird]

Buy some rubber gromments and drill whatever you need.

[nonnova]

If your car has an automatic transmission, You can remove the clutch linkage block off plate under and to the right of the brake booster (see pic #2) and to the left of the fuse block harness.
Drill a hole in it, install a grommet and re-install the plate. Then run your wires/cables through the grommet from under the dash.
If you have a manual trans, try the hole to the right of the throttle cable (partialy hidden by tape in pic #2, may have a rubber plug in it). Always use a rubber grommet so the wires/cables don't rub on the metal opening.

[Zenith]

Well you guys are just too nice!

nonnova, think I'll be able to get to that clutch blockoff plate (seeing as my Ventura is an automatic) without having to remove any components? I tried to eyeball it under the brake master cylinder and couldn't find it!

[Zenith]

Also, I meant to ask something else to begin with.

Is a mechanical oil pressure gauge worth the hassle? Or should I just forgo the use of this one, and save up for a electronic gauge?

[nonnova]

It is hard to get to with all the components installed. At worst you may have to undo the brake rod from the pedal, unbolt the booster and slide it forward. You shouldn't have to undo the lines, there should be enough flex in them, just be careful.
Mechanical gauges are the way to go.

[Zenith]

hmm, do you mean just remove the brake booster? Or what?

[nonnova]

Originally Posted by Zenith

hmm, do you mean just remove the brake booster? Or what?

Well....sort of.
What I'm saying is you should be able to unbolt the booster and slide it towards the front of the car enough to gain access behind/under it without removing the lines from the booster, hence eliminating the need to bleed the brakes when you are done.

[Zenith]

Hmm. I don't quite understand what you're suggesting, that's why I asked for clarification.

I don't see how any of this can be "slid forward." Nor do I see where you can unbolt just about anything. There are 4 bolts on the back of the vacuum diaphragm, but I don't see them as actually holding the unit up.

[nonnova]

Originally Posted by Zenith

There are 4 bolts on the back of the vacuum diaphragm, but I don't see them as actually holding the unit up.

Yes, that is the what they do. The four bolts hold the vacuum booster/master cylinder combo to the firewall. There is a pin with a clip that holds the pushrod from the booster onto the brake pedal.
Remove the clip, slide out the pin to detach brake pedal, remove four bolts holding the vacuum booster/master cylinder combo to the firewall and slide it forward.