Changing gas gauge face - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Oscar73 · 05-25-2016, 03:34 PM

Okay, ran out of gas one too many times, and finally bought a new gas gauge for my '66 C20. Big problem is that it doesn't look anything like the original gauge...has any one replaced the actual gauge face (not just putting a sticker on) bit drilling out the rivets and swapping faces? The gauge on the left is the original, gauge on the right is the new one. It appears the spacing of the rivets is the same.
If so, how much of a hassle is it? Thanks!

Bret B · 05-25-2016, 05:55 PM

It looks like you have a gas gauge from the idiot light dash and the one you're want to put in is from the individual gauges dash. Is that right?

Oscar73 · 05-25-2016, 08:14 PM

According to Classic Industries, the new gauge is the idiot light gauge. The old one is, also. Somebody's wrong. And it's not me, as I removed the first gauge myself.

**PGSigns** · 05-25-2016, 08:54 PM

They sent you the wrong one. The new one is for a gauge dash. Did you test the one you pulled out? What I do to test the system is ground the sender and see if it goes to full and then ground the sender wire on the back of the gauge while still in the truck. This lets you know how it all is working.
Jimmy

Oscar73 · 05-26-2016, 05:44 PM

Yes, they did send the wrong gauge. The description on their site is sketchy at best, doesn't say what dash the gauge fits.

It has never worked since I bought the truck in 1995. New wiring, new senders, zip. So, finally bit the bullet and went for the gauge. I could always tell when it was going to run out, I'd get a 30 second warning as the fuel pickup rattled inside the tank...

Found the right one on Ebay, but I may have to wait until I get my dough back from Classic.

Oscar73 · 05-26-2016, 05:49 PM

Oh, PS. The rivet holding the electronics to the gauge face & needle failed, ripping the two little wires off the back of the gauge. So, now, it's a 2 piece gauge that doesn't work. LOL I've now got a gauge from a 64-66 GMC in it, and it kinda works if I reach under the dash and wiggle the back of the gauge.

Those GMC's have much nicer gauge clusters with the printed circuits on the back like the newer (73-87) trucks.

**PGSigns** · 05-26-2016, 09:00 PM

For years I used a dowel for a gas gauge. Pop the cap put the stick i the tank and see what I had. Ran out of fuel one time with a foot of fuel. Pump went south.
Jimmy

Oscar73 · 05-27-2016, 12:44 AM

That dowel would be swell, but I have to park on a 15 degree slope sideways. So either there's no gas or lots of gas, depending which way the truck is facing...life's tough sometimes!

Tazimafied · 06-01-2016, 05:30 AM

This might help.

http://www.classicparts.com/1964-66-.../#.V06qqHn2boo

05-25-2016, 03:34 PM	#1
Oscar73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 23	Changing gas gauge face Okay, ran out of gas one too many times, and finally bought a new gas gauge for my '66 C20. Big problem is that it doesn't look anything like the original gauge...has any one replaced the actual gauge face (not just putting a sticker on) bit drilling out the rivets and swapping faces? The gauge on the left is the original, gauge on the right is the new one. It appears the spacing of the rivets is the same. If so, how much of a hassle is it? Thanks! Attached Images

05-25-2016, 05:55 PM	#2
Bret B Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Altus OK Posts: 143	Re: Changing gas gauge face It looks like you have a gas gauge from the idiot light dash and the one you're want to put in is from the individual gauges dash. Is that right? __________________ 1965 Chevy short-step side, work in progress.... ............................____ ..................______l/___\____ .................\|_/(0)\_ll____/(0)_l.

05-25-2016, 08:14 PM	#3
Oscar73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 23	Re: Changing gas gauge face According to Classic Industries, the new gauge is the idiot light gauge. The old one is, also. Somebody's wrong. And it's not me, as I removed the first gauge myself.

05-25-2016, 08:54 PM	#4
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Changing gas gauge face They sent you the wrong one. The new one is for a gauge dash. Did you test the one you pulled out? What I do to test the system is ground the sender and see if it goes to full and then ground the sender wire on the back of the gauge while still in the truck. This lets you know how it all is working. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

05-26-2016, 05:44 PM	#5
Oscar73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 23	Re: Changing gas gauge face Yes, they did send the wrong gauge. The description on their site is sketchy at best, doesn't say what dash the gauge fits. It has never worked since I bought the truck in 1995. New wiring, new senders, zip. So, finally bit the bullet and went for the gauge. I could always tell when it was going to run out, I'd get a 30 second warning as the fuel pickup rattled inside the tank... Found the right one on Ebay, but I may have to wait until I get my dough back from Classic.

05-26-2016, 05:49 PM	#6
Oscar73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 23	Re: Changing gas gauge face Oh, PS. The rivet holding the electronics to the gauge face & needle failed, ripping the two little wires off the back of the gauge. So, now, it's a 2 piece gauge that doesn't work. LOL I've now got a gauge from a 64-66 GMC in it, and it kinda works if I reach under the dash and wiggle the back of the gauge. Those GMC's have much nicer gauge clusters with the printed circuits on the back like the newer (73-87) trucks.

05-26-2016, 09:00 PM	#7
PGSigns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Hayes Va Posts: 4,569	Re: Changing gas gauge face For years I used a dowel for a gas gauge. Pop the cap put the stick i the tank and see what I had. Ran out of fuel one time with a foot of fuel. Pump went south. Jimmy __________________ 60 to 66 Chevy and GMC window decals http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=661131 Good friends, good food and a hotrod what else do you need? 1966 BBW long fleet Daily driver 1965 BBW short fleet Sold and going to a good home 1965 Suburban 2003 3500 Duramax 2005 Ultra Classic

05-27-2016, 12:44 AM	#8
Oscar73 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 23	Re: Changing gas gauge face That dowel would be swell, but I have to park on a 15 degree slope sideways. So either there's no gas or lots of gas, depending which way the truck is facing...life's tough sometimes! Attached Images Last edited by Oscar73; 05-27-2016 at 12:48 AM. Reason: add photo

06-01-2016, 05:30 AM	#9
Tazimafied Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Posts: 94	Re: Changing gas gauge face This might help. http://www.classicparts.com/1964-66-.../#.V06qqHn2boo



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