vac gauge install (64-66)

[jocko]

Snagged a mid-60's Pontiac console vac gauge a few years back at Carlisle and just got around to putting it in. Was a bit of a job, but the goal was to fill up the empty left gauge bay.

Many ways to skin the cat, but I chose to elongate the vacuum hose/gauge back hole and re-drill the mounting screw holes in the removeable backing plate as you see in the pics. If you don't lower it, then the center of the needle sticks up way above the lower edge of the gauge shielding and it looks weird. So, a little drillin and a little filin and there you go.

Some pics of the innards of the Pontiac gauge housing - I went to a lot of trouble to paint it a matching green as the other 66 instruments so it wouldn't glow blue vice green with the lights on. But, as it turns out, didn't even need it. It would work ok, but would have to completely separate the instrument cluster -and I noted that the tach on the right side of the instrument cluster has the same "non-housing", so left it out on this side as well. In a dark garage with the truck lights on, it glows green just like the other gauges. So, good enough. The pics are below - but the blue then green gauge cup and the little glass semi-circle that I spent an hour sanding and painting were not used in the install.

The green/yellow/orange sweep line on the gauge was faded, so repainted the yellow and red - before and afters shown. I'm my own worst enemy when it comes to paint - I don't think I can paint anything without accidentally sticking my fat thumb on it before it's dry...

I forgot how much of a pain it can be to remove all the gauges bezel's switches to get the cluster out It's easy, once you remember how to do it. Anyway, not too much of a hassle, hadn't had it out in a while. All installed and lights work, etc - just need to find a good vac source on the engine, but the hard part is done.

Pictures will take a few posts.