idiot lights to fac gauges - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

djracer · 11-18-2003, 11:25 AM

What does it take to do this swap? I have a gauge panel I'd like to use until I buy all autometer stuff. Do I just need new sending units and plug it in or is it more involved?

Thanks In Advance

Fleetlover · 11-18-2003, 11:42 AM

I printed it out and the heading at the top is wysiwg://6/http://77-72chevytruck...techtips/electric/electric_2.html I have no idea what all that means but it might help.

bpmcgee · 11-18-2003, 04:23 PM

DJ,

Depending on how many gauges you're going for, you may need a new instrument cluster. You'll definitely need a new circuit board. In terms of senders, I know the temperature sender is different. If your truck is early enough (this is true in 74), the oil pressure gauge will be mechanical -- there's a small pickup tube that goes to the back of the block by the distributor.

I've got no idea about the ammeter. The tach is a separate 3-wire harness, so you'll need to pick that up as well. Other than that, I think the wiring harness is unchanged.

Brian

71Chev · 11-18-2003, 04:33 PM

You can find the info in our tech tips.
http://www.gmcpauls.com/Tech%20Tips1.htm
You need a new oil and temp sender for mechanical gauges.

Lobo'74 · 11-18-2003, 04:50 PM

I have an idiot light set that the PO cut holes in and installed after market gages for temp, oil pressure, amps, and a huge vacum gage that sticks out of the panel.
I purchased a used '68 factory gage panel, no tach, no vacum gage. I want to put in a new flex circuit for a tach so that it has the hole in the middle. My tach is small enough that I cut cut out the center of the tach area and it will fit just fine. I plan on keeping its inputs as they are now.
My oil gage is an 80 psi gage. Will the sender work on factory gage? (I have a high volumn/high pressure oil pump).
Will an aftermarket temp sensor work with factory gage?
I will hook up alternator gage wires from after market to factory.
I need to buy factory vacum gage, if I reinstal one. Since I now have a huge one for troubleshooting is there any benefit to installing factory one?

Thanks for any guidance.

11-18-2003, 11:25 AM	#1
djracer Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Wetumpka, Al, U.S. Posts: 8,892	idiot lights to fac gauges What does it take to do this swap? I have a gauge panel I'd like to use until I buy all autometer stuff. Do I just need new sending units and plug it in or is it more involved? Thanks In Advance __________________ Kevin Special Thanks to All who have helped on the TRUCK! My Pass Time Show http://s129.photobucket.com/albums/p...Chapter1-0.mp4 So Far my best Times are: Motor only: 6.44 1/8 @ 104.13 10.39 1/4 @ 125.83 Nitrous Times: 5.785 1/8 @ 118.65 with a 1.336 60ft 9.168 1/4 @ 142.58 with a 250 shot dead out of the hole!

11-18-2003, 11:42 AM	#2
Fleetlover Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Along the Erie canal NY Posts: 124	Somewhere on this board there is a tech tip on this I printed it out and the heading at the top is wysiwg://6/http://77-72chevytruck...techtips/electric/electric_2.html I have no idea what all that means but it might help. __________________ 71 C10 Short Fleet coughing and sputtering down the backroads 59 Apache short fleet resto started now suspended 1884 victorian home Current restoration project 1997 GMC Sierra Z71 1973 Harley FLH undressed 1949 male body somewhat abused but still starts most mornings

11-18-2003, 04:33 PM	#4
71Chev Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,074	You can find the info in our tech tips. http://www.gmcpauls.com/Tech%20Tips1.htm You need a new oil and temp sender for mechanical gauges. __________________ 71 Chevy CST Long Fleet 350/350/3.07 leaf rear.

11-18-2003, 04:50 PM	#5
Lobo'74 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 404	Got some parts.....enough? I have an idiot light set that the PO cut holes in and installed after market gages for temp, oil pressure, amps, and a huge vacum gage that sticks out of the panel. I purchased a used '68 factory gage panel, no tach, no vacum gage. I want to put in a new flex circuit for a tach so that it has the hole in the middle. My tach is small enough that I cut cut out the center of the tach area and it will fit just fine. I plan on keeping its inputs as they are now. My oil gage is an 80 psi gage. Will the sender work on factory gage? (I have a high volumn/high pressure oil pump). Will an aftermarket temp sensor work with factory gage? I will hook up alternator gage wires from after market to factory. I need to buy factory vacum gage, if I reinstal one. Since I now have a huge one for troubleshooting is there any benefit to installing factory one? Thanks for any guidance. __________________ "Truck" '67 small window '79 350 .030 over, LT1 "clone"

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11-18-2003, 04:23 PM	#3
bpmcgee Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Northern Illinois Posts: 2,181	DJ, Depending on how many gauges you're going for, you may need a new instrument cluster. You'll definitely need a new circuit board. In terms of senders, I know the temperature sender is different. If your truck is early enough (this is true in 74), the oil pressure gauge will be mechanical -- there's a small pickup tube that goes to the back of the block by the distributor. I've got no idea about the ammeter. The tach is a separate 3-wire harness, so you'll need to pick that up as well. Other than that, I think the wiring harness is unchanged. Brian



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