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Aftermarket Gauge Cluster


freddiefokker

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Good morning. I'd like to add a simple looking two (oil/temp) or three (oil/temp/volts) gauge cluster to my all stock '71 402. AutoMeter makes some decent looking ones.

I'd like it to be as covert looking as possible because I plan on showing it in survivor classes and I just prefer it to look stock. So maybe black gauge faces, black frame, etc. Maybe place it on the bottom lip of the dash, possibly under the ash tray?

I'd also like to keep my warning (idiot) lights functional. Can I tee manual gauge fittings into my block/intake and reattach the stock sending units?

Anyone else do this? I'm totally into copying someone else's cool, good looking setup.

Russ

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There's no issue with adding tee fittings, but it's not always necessary.  There should be a few plugs along the bottom of the engine that you can remove for oil pressure.  The temp sensor can go in the same hole as the stock temp sensor but on the opposite head.

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Also you can get a hinge. Mount it between the dash and gauge pod. This way you can swing the gauges out of the way to keep the stock look. I have seen this on a few cars throughout the years. 

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Someone makes gauges that fit into the idiot light spots, however you mentioned you wanted to keep them. Here is the info for you to at least look at as an option. Made by Shiftworks, but available from Summit, Jegs, etc. Says it only works on dashes with idiot lights. Certainly will keep the 'covert' look you want.

https://shiftworks.com/collections/gauges-upgrades/products/1970-72-chevelle-gauge-conversion

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/siw-s511-w

https://static.summitracing.com/global/images/instructions/siw-s511-g.pdf

 

 

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My 72 had an Auto guage 2 1/16" oil preasure gauge in it and it went bad so I had to replace it. I now have a Dakota Digital display. I think any 2 1/16" giage should work.

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Just to offer an alternative in case you don't want to pull your IP.  I don't see a reason to keep the connections to the idiot lites but thats your decision. This should handle your Temp and Oil pressure.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-10183/applications/make/chevrolet/model/monte-carlo

 

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13 hours ago, DragCat said:

Just to offer an alternative in case you don't want to pull your IP.  I don't see a reason to keep the connections to the idiot lites but thats your decision. This should handle your Temp and Oil pressure.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/atm-10183/applications/make/chevrolet/model/monte-carlo

 

That's exactly what I'm doing. Just bought a two guage cluster from Summit and probably just relieve myself of the temp/oil idiot lights. I'll keep the volt light.

Where's a good spot to run the lines? I'd like to avoid drilling any new holes in my firewall.

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I've never done it on a Monte, maybe someone else who has will step in. I did just help a buddy on his blue oval car, ( and i'll repeat what I said on my other post discard the plastic line that comes with the gauge and go copper. auto meter part 3224) He ordered his gauges from Jegs (their logo gauges) and the water temp gauge was all one piece, meaning the sensor and the connection/bolt and the wire to the gauge were all one piece. There wasn't an existing hole big enough (5/16 9/16?) to get the sensor and nut through so he had to drill. Maybe you have a spare/plugged hole in your firewall. 

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I ran the oil and temp lines through the speedo cable grommet. The temp probe and nut were difficult to pass through, but I  enlarged the slit in the grommet with a sharp pocket knife and was able to pass the temp probe through from the interior side. It's easier with two people.

One thing that was cool was the guage bracket holes lined up perfectly with the screws holes that hold the ashtray assembly, so no drilling into my stock dash. The ashtray still opens and closes perfectly.

BE98577B-BE96-479C-8BE7-6787E1926AF8.jpeg

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