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#1 |
Registered User
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Location: Pensacola, FL
Posts: 1,461
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Gauge Issues
My old guage cluster lights didnt work and the volt meter and engine temp guage didnt function at all so I picked up a newer guage cluster. I installed it and hooked everything back up and now the lights work but the mech. OIL guage is pegged out at idle and the volt meter just sits there straight up no matter what. Ive just about lost my temper with this things having removed and reinstalled it about 12 times...anyone have similar issues or suggestions?
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#2 |
Until Seventy Times Seven
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range
Posts: 1,301
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Re: Gauge Issues
BowTie-
If I remember correctly, I don't believe the volt gauges from later-style custers are interchangeable with those of the early-style custers (voltage-sensing vs. current-sensing). I think it's the oil pressure gauges are not interchangeable as well. Maybe, the issue is the sensors. But, again I'm not sure ...
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boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin... |
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#3 |
Registered User
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Location: Pensacola, FL
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Re: Gauge Issues
I forgot to mention that when I hooked the "new" cluster up the oil gauge was not working up to specs so I replaced it with the one that was in the factory cluster. THEN the factory gauge would not work right, kept reading 55-60 at idle. The other day it actually read 15-20 but then jumped right back to 60 the next time I drove it.
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#4 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Gauge Issues
what year truck are we working on?
what year did the cluster come out of? Is the engine/oilpump factory? Are you expecting the volt meter to move? It should stay around 13.7v.
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#5 | |
Registered User
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Location: Pensacola, FL
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Re: Gauge Issues
Quote:
Kris
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#6 |
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
![]() Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Birmingham, AL
Posts: 6,935
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Re: Gauge Issues
You are running a risk putting anything other than a 73-75 cluster in a 73.
The 73-75 model was AMPS not Volts so they are wired different. Meltdowns are typical if you swap to a non AMPS dash and plug it in. the 78-up cluster uses all electrical senders, and you have to have the correct sender to make it work. If yours has a mechanical oil pressure guage and a volt guage it can ONLY be a 76-77 model. Again, 73's are wires for AMPS, the oil sending should be ok if you got all of it from the donor. Where are you tying into the engine?
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Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com |
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#7 |
Senior Member
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Location: Alexandria, MN
Posts: 1,462
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Re: Gauge Issues
Amen to what chris said.. you NEED a 73-75 cluster!!! There are other ways to do it, but that would be the easiest/least hassle...
--Mike
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63 C20 2WD, 230/SM420/4.11 73K 68 C30 dump truck, 327,SM425,4.56 66K original 68 C10 2WD SWB Stepper, 250/3-tree/3.73 66K.... Wifes 68 Buick Skylark Custom Conv., 350/TH400/2.56 In our family since '79 69 GMC 1500 SWB 2WD, 350/TH350/3.73 posi... 70 K10 SWB 4X4 4-sp,ps, pb, tilt, buckets, console, sliding back window (Need AC parts) WIP 72 Chevy K20 4x4 350/350/205/4.56 donor 72 Vette 350/M21/3.70 posi, triple black and super fast 84 Olds Cutlass Brougham 350/2004r/4.11 was Dad's |
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#8 |
Registered User
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Location: Pensacola, FL
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Re: Gauge Issues
And so the hunt begins.
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#9 |
Professional Grade
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 7,915
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Re: Gauge Issues
Lemme check in my parts pile... I might still have a 73-75 cluster kickin' around out there... If not, I know there is one at the wreckers. I can ship you the whole mess for the cost of shipping if I've got one, or the cost of shipping + the cost from the wreckers if I don't.
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1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) |
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#10 | |
Registered User
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Location: Pensacola, FL
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Re: Gauge Issues
Quote:
I went to the store last night and the oil gauge started working properly...go figure. If current trends hold it will be jacked up the next time i drive it tho. Kris
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1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads |
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#11 |
Professional Grade
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 7,915
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Re: Gauge Issues
Just letting you know -- I haven't forgotten about you, just haven't had the opportunity to hit the wreckers yet, I'm hoping to make it out on Sunday afternoon.
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1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) |
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#12 |
Professional Grade
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta
Posts: 7,915
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Re: Gauge Issues
Ok, I swung by the yard and didn't see any 73 - 75 clusters... I'll take a look at the other yard later on this week when things warm up a bit again.
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1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap) |
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