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#1
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Add on temp, volt and possibly tach gauges
I am considering adding an under dashboard gauges.
I see there are many with volts, water temp and oil pressure. I was thinking instead of the oil pressure gauge I would get a small tach and put it in place of the oil pressure gauge. These would be the 2" gauges. I have read too many reviews of the oil line letting loose, don't want to go through that. Any suggestions on what brand to use and where to buy them from? 64 LeMans, 326 2bbl, manual transmission, stock idiot lights. Thanks
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I don't always cross thread the bolt - but when I do I run that bitch in with an impact until it's tight! |
#2
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i have had almost every problem an old car can have, but even i have been fine with the under-dash oil pressure gauges ... just don't run the nylon line near your exhaust!
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#3
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Use an electrical oil pressure gauge .I use VDO.
George
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"...out to my ol'55, I pulled away slowly, feeling so holy, god knows i was feeling alive"....written by Tom Wait from the Eagles' Live From The Forum |
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#4
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I've had a mechanical oil pressure gauge in my car for many years without any problems, but you can also get an electrical gauge and that will eliminate the issue. I like Stewart-Warner gauges, they work and they look era correct in our cars. As far as where to get them, if you have a local speed shop patronize them (buy local!) but otherwise Speedway, Jegs, or Summit all offer many different brands and styles.
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#5
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IMO, a 2" tach would be of no use to me under the dash. With my eye sight, that is awfully small to try and read a sweeping needle. If the car is an auto trans, and just want to get a glance of RPM, it would be OK I guess. I have always been concerned of plastic lines for oil pressure inside the car. When using a mechanical gauge, I throw out the plastic line and buy and install a copper line instead. Never had a leak. Be sure to route it away from heat and have some room for it to move a little with the twist of the engine under power. I slide a piece of very small vacuum hose over the copper in the engine compartment and it just blends in. Not noticed at all. Personally, I love the look and function of Stewart Warner Green line gauges in old cars. But they are pretty darn expensive. AutoMeter seem to work OK. VDO is a quality brand. Electrical oil pressure is an option if oil in the interior really spooks you.
Last edited by Stuart; 10-24-2023 at 03:17 PM. |
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#6
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I would not go without an oil pressure gauge
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468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
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#7
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The Firebird that I bought for the road racing project had a couple of aftermarket gages and the oil pressure gage had plastic tubing coming into the dash. I reached up in there to remove the radio and everything was oil soaked. Aftermarket gages gone...factory electric gages back in business. If they were good enough for Herb Adams, they're good enough for me.
Eric
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"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth" noted philosopher Mike Tyson Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. “The mind, once stretched by a new idea, never returns to its original dimensions.” |
#8
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Just run 1/8” copper refrigeration tubing to connect your mechanical oil pressure gauge instead of that questionable plastic tubing they supply.
Never had any issues with leakage or failure on the drag strip or many thousands of street miles. Oil pressure and water temperature are all I really care about. You can see the copper tubing running right along with the water temp capillary tube on the left side of the picture.
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1964 Tempest Coupe LS3/4L70E/3.42 1964 Le Mans Convertible 421 HO/TH350/2.56 2002 WS6 Convertible LS1/4L60E/3.23 |
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#9
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This would be a much more costly and labor intensive option but, I absolutely love my Dakota Digital RTX instruments. I don't know enough about a 64 Lemans to compare to the stock appearance but for the 2nd gen F body they look very close to stock.
https://www.dakotadigital.com/index....od/prd1237.htm
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70 TA, 467 cid IAII, Edelbrock D-port heads, 9.94:1, Butler HR 236/242 @ .050, 520/540 lift, 112 LSA, Q-jet, TKX (2.87 1st/.81 OD), 3.31 rear https://youtube.com/shorts/gG15nb4FWeo?feature=share |
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#10
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Oil pressure gauge is the most important one on a car. Auto Meter make a copper line kit for mechanical gauge.
I run one, never had a issue. https://www.amazon.com/Auto-Meter-32...95866215&psc=1 |
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#11
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They sell the copper line kits right alongside the gauge kits. You get lines, ferrules and line fittings and adaptors in the kits. Cut the line to length with a mini tubing cutter and chamfer the inside and outside edges with a utility knife blade. I also push a drill bit in to make sure the line is still round after cutting.
If I had to replace 1 gauge with a tach, it would be the voltmeter, not the oil pressure or water temp. They also have single 2-5/8" gauge pods that mount to the A pillar that don't look too bad. They are black and can be painted to match your interior color.
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Triple Black 1971 GTO |
#12
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I also run copper lines in my cars and never a problem. And if I may add if you did want to keep a better eye on the electrical system use a voltmeter and not an ammeter. I've seen a fire under the dash from a poorly installed ammeter where the wire chaffed and shorted. Scary. Just no need to have that potential I think.
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#13
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If you have the money Classic Instruments makes a complete dash panel for a 1964 Tempest/GTO.
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#14
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I just have oil pressure and temp under my dash. Those are the two things that I always monitor.
These are VDO if I recall correctly. Electric and have been dead reliable for 10-12 years now. Sent from my moto g stylus (2021) using Tapatalk
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Greg Reid Palmetto, Georgia |
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#15
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I have the RTX in my 64. Totally awesome
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468/TKO600 Ford thru bolt equipped 64 Tempest Custom. Custom Nocturne Blue with black interior. |
The Following User Says Thank You to 64speed For This Useful Post: | ||
#16
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I was a huge fan of Stewart Warner mechanical gauges for many years, I found them super reliable and pretty accurate.
This time I went with Auto Meter digital electric and so far have been very happy. Seem very accurate, good response time ... and easy to read at a glance.
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I'm World's Best Hyperbolist !! |
#17
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Thanks for the information, I will look at the options mentioned. My dash cluster has the blank for the optional clock so maybe stick a tach in there and get the gauges for under the dash.
__________________
I don't always cross thread the bolt - but when I do I run that bitch in with an impact until it's tight! |
#18
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I went with the oil pressure and temp gauges - SW Green Line.
I like the vintage look of the Green Line. |
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#19
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I have to retink the under dash gauges. I have a Vintage Air system and the vents take up the space where you normally see them. The radio used to be in the glove box but with Vintage Air system there's no room.
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I don't always cross thread the bolt - but when I do I run that bitch in with an impact until it's tight! |
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#20
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Autometer gauges.
Use braided steel for oil pressure.
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https://www.flickr.com/photos/197745168@N07/ "There's nothing more unsatisfying than watching an electric car go down the dragstrip." Last edited by KS circutguy; 10-25-2023 at 03:10 PM. |
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