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#1 |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
To get the VSS capability I need and add a tachometer I was toying with cutting up a square body gauge cluster to make it align better with the 67-72 dash configuration but while at the wrecking yard today I came across something I hadn't thought about using. A third gen Camaro gauge cluster.
Fits just about perfectly in the clear area of the dash opening, the speedo & tach are nearly in the same location as the 67-72 parts and it is all completely level so no weird angles or spacing to deal with. The visible area of the tach & speedo are even larger than the square body parts so that is a plus too. I will fabricate a new dash bezel to fit the cluster into and also incorporate a spare square body overdrive shift indicator just above the steering column as well. 7000 rpm tach, 115 mph speedo & 80 psi oil pressure gauge too. I fit the whole thing with 168 bulbs while I was there too so it will be plenty bright.
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miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Harrison Arkansas
Posts: 164
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
This will be a great looking set up. Only thing better would be a 140 speedo.
Kerry P |
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#3 |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Easy retrofit as would be the 85 mph speedo too, just not that easy to find a 140 speedo at the pull it yourself wrecking yard.
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miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#4 |
Registered Chevy Owner
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Snohomish, wa
Posts: 1,557
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Looks like a cool idea. How much are you gonna cut up to make it work?
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Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! ![]() 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 ![]() 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350 |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: CASA GRANDE AZ
Posts: 4,276
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Nice you know the spedomitors and tach from a second gen camaro will fit nicely in the stock bezel
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70 SWB STEPSIDE 70 BLAZER 09 challenger |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Alexandria, LA 71301
Posts: 1,451
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
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-02 avalanche (daily driver) -66 gto ragtop 389/400 (garage queen, hand-me-down from dad) -72 Tribute Trans Am (6.0LS/T56 6-speed) in progress -2003 YUKON (Wife's) -71 gmc swb fleet (current project, gonna shave everything, bags, stuff w/ 20's, gen III powertrain) -48 3100 SWB - 12/31/23 LONG TERM Project |
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#7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Pine Ridge Florida
Posts: 4,125
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
watching, interested.
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Click on my Not really a build thread, yet NOT SO RUST FREE RUST FREE BLAZER LS ENGINE SWAP INFORMATION THREAD BOLT RESTORATIONS 4l60 to an NP205 |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Harrisville, MS
Posts: 267
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: South Florida
Posts: 11,375
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
great idea.....looking forward to it being finished..
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Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Vilseck Germany (currently)
Posts: 317
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Have you thought about a three hole bezel? It would take a little patience but you could graft it in and make it look good. Tricky part is getting the pebble finish right. BTW, Cool idea
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#11 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: California, Maryland
Posts: 544
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
When you get further, maybe you can answer the following.
Does the stock speedometer cable fit this speedo? Does the fuel gauge work with our fuel tank sender? Is the oil pressure gauge electric and if so what sender?
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#12 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
Not sure what material I am going to use yet. Some type of plastic, aluminum or even fiberglass. I have a scrap of plexi that I am in the process of making match the stock truck gauge panel shape that will allow me to play around with gauge location.
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miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#13 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
Third gens are way easier to find in the wrecking yard too.
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miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#14 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
I was a machinist & TIG welder for the air force for 13 years so I can fab up pretty much anything out of metal if I have access to the right tools.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#15 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
|
Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
The fuel gauge is the standard GM gauge so it will work on any GM fuel tank that uses the modern 0-90 ohm sender. I think they switched to that in the early 60's if I remember right. All 67-up trucks will have it for sure. The oil pressure gauge is electric. There are two ranges you will find in the Camaro clusters. One is 60 psi and is found in most V8 cars. The other is 80 psi and is usually found in the 6-cylinder cars. Grab the sender that matches from the cluster donor car or use one that matches from a square body truck. Diesels had 80 psi gauges and gas motors used 60 psi so they are easy to get. You can swap the circuit board on the back of the tach from a 6-cylinder tach with one from a V8 to make your own V8 tach with 80 psi oil pressure gauge.
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miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#16 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
|
Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
I'm going to make a 3-D solid model of it in AutoCAD and play around with the look and placement plus see if there is room for supplemental gauges too.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA
Posts: 2,097
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
just take that and mount it to a glove box door and paint to match.... cool idea..
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#18 |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
If I can come up with an extra one I had planned on seeing what it would look like.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#19 |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
|
Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Did a quick layout tracing the pics I took to get a feel for what it will look like.
Not too bad. Should be room for a secondary gauge where the choke cable bezel used to be without running into the gauge cluster.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Harrison Arkansas
Posts: 164
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
That's looking so good that you'd better be prepared when people to want you to make up a few extras.
Kerry P |
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#21 |
Active Member
![]() Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: L.A. Lower Alabama
Posts: 453
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Cool idea, will be watching.
If someone wanted to use a 73-87 tilt column this would take care of cutting the dash bezel to get it to fit. Have you thought about using casting resin to make the bezel? I have been looking at this site about ideas to make lenses for my 50 Chrysler. http://www.alumilite.com/ Again, great idea.
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1969 C10 350 3spd 1995 GMC 3500 XC 350 dually When Thomas Edison worked late into the night on the electric light, he had to do it by gas lamp or candle. I'm sure it made the work seem that much more urgent. George Carlin |
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#22 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
Maybe once I get a prototype built out of plexi that I like I can use the casting resin method you linked to so I can reproduce it and create the correct texture for the surface. Thanks for the link.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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#23 |
Champagne Taste on Beer Budget
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: High Ridge, Missouri
Posts: 2,190
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Will be watching this one.
What year Camaros are you looking for when you get a good cluster like what you are working with?
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Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck |
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#24 | |
Still plays with trucks
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Spokane, WA
Posts: 3,556
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Re: 80's Camaro gauge cluster retrofit?
Quote:
Several different speedo configurations and tachs with varying redlines, oil pressure gauge ranges and 6-cyl or 8-cyl calibrations.
__________________
miSSed opportunity - ground up creation of an AWD 1994 454 SS that never was http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=795577 69 C10 shortbed stepside 400 small block - built like what a super sport truck could have been 69 K20 lwb TBI 350 4L60E NP208 14-bolt Dana-44 w/disc 68 Camaro SS / RS 500hp 439 inch roller cam big block 4L80E 79 Malibu TPI 350 4L60 w/ Z28 steering & sway bars |
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