Gauge Issues - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

BowTieOgre · 02-05-2007, 11:44 PM

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?

boxrodz · 02-06-2007, 01:49 AM

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 ...

BowTieOgre · 02-06-2007, 10:02 AM

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.

I guess I will just end up popping for some Autometer gauges and call it a day!

**Captkaos** · 02-06-2007, 12:36 PM

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.

BowTieOgre · 02-06-2007, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captkaos

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.

It is a '73 and the replacement cluster came out of a '79 I believe (bought it off a board member). The motor is a stock 350 4bbl and as far as I know everything is original. The only things I have done to it are change all the fluids/filters, install an HEI dizzy and plug wires and replace the starter. Thanks for the reply CK.

Kris

**Captkaos** · 02-06-2007, 03:51 PM

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?

**tkeduk8r** · 02-06-2007, 09:49 PM

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

BowTieOgre · 02-07-2007, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkeduk8r

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

And so the hunt begins.

Russell · 02-07-2007, 02:50 AM

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.

BowTieOgre · 02-07-2007, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

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.

You've got yourself a deal Russel! Ive hit the yards here and its slim pickings on the 73-80 body styles and 73-75 Blazers are even more scarce. Any parts you guys can send my way will be much appreciated.

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

Russell · 02-09-2007, 08:03 PM

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.

Russell · 02-14-2007, 01:17 AM

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.

02-05-2007, 11:44 PM	#1
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	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? __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

02-06-2007, 01:49 AM	#2
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	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 ... __________________ 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...

02-06-2007, 10:02 AM	#3
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	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. I guess I will just end up popping for some Autometer gauges and call it a day! __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

02-06-2007, 12:36 PM	#4
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	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. __________________ 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

02-06-2007, 03:51 PM	#6
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	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? __________________ 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

02-06-2007, 09:49 PM	#7
tkeduk8r Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Alexandria, MN Posts: 1,462	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 __________________ 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

02-07-2007, 02:50 AM	#9
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	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. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

02-09-2007, 08:03 PM	#11
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	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. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)

02-14-2007, 01:17 AM	#12
Russell Professional Grade Join Date: May 2003 Location: Fort McMurray, Alberta Posts: 7,915	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. __________________ 1995 Chevrolet 2 Door Tahoe (6.6L LBZ Duramax / ZF6 / NP241 with 1 ton solid axle swap)



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.