Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**K10-Kansas** · 09-09-2023, 10:14 PM

When I bought my truck there was oil all over the back of the dash. I cleaned it up and put in a new gauge cluster. The oil began leaking again and I could have just replaced the line to the gauge cluster but figured it would be easy to put in an electric gauge.

I put this in a 1971 K10 with the stock cluster.

I bought an electric ACDelco Oil Pressure Sending Unit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ADO-D8034

Bought an electric gauge from LMC for a 78-79 c10 https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-91-che...pressure-gauge

I had an oil electric wire off of my American Auto Wire harness but you could just run a wire straight from the gauge to the sending unit. I pulled the old mechanical sending unit. Put in the electric. Ran brown to ground, ran 12v pink, and blue in my sending wire.

I cut out the full circle from the stock cluster so the needle wouldn't get hung up and to show the whole gauge.

I drilled 3 holes in the back cover or the gauge cluster to hold the gauge in place and to connect to the wires and put little grommets in the holes.

I colored the lettering on the gauge with a black permanent marker.

Everything works perfect. Only mistake I made was I should have taken the plastic lens out of my gauge cluster because when I cut the circle out, hot metal marked up the lens.

weq92f · 09-09-2023, 10:57 PM

.

That looks great! No more oil plumbed into the cabin!

Only you will notice those scratches.

-klb

**K10-Kansas** · 09-09-2023, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weq92f

.

That looks great! No more oil plumbed into the cabin!

Only you will notice those scratches.

-klb

Thanks. Yeah, and if they bug me, a new lens is not too expensive and it's easy to put in.

HotWheelsFan · 09-10-2023, 03:21 AM

Yea, and never do welding next to glass without covering it either...

**mkmc69** · 09-10-2023, 07:53 AM

Good idea. How does it look lit up at night, in comparison to the rest of the cluster?

**K10-Kansas** · 09-10-2023, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkmc69

Good idea. How does it look lit up at night, in comparison to the rest of the cluster?

Oh good question. I'll take a pic tonight and post it.

Warrens69GMC · 09-10-2023, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HotWheelsFan

Yea, and never do welding next to glass without covering it either...

True story. I had a few stray slag pellets come off a project I was welding next to a glass patio table. The look as I finished my project just to watch that glass shatter, priceless.

**K10-Kansas** · 09-10-2023, 08:48 AM

Here's the finished product before I put it back in the dash. Works perfect.

HotWheelsFan · 09-10-2023, 01:32 PM

Very nice.

I had to insulate the hard line to my gauge, it transmitted engine noise into the cab.

Bob

**MikeB** · 09-11-2023, 11:29 AM

That's some very nice work there!

I used an oil pressure gauge and sender from a square body truck, but forgot the actual year range. Had to re-drill and wire the 69 panel. I also replaced the ammeter with a voltmeter from a square body.

I have an LMC coolant temp gauge with numbers on it designed to fit 67-75 trucks, but I just can seem to make it read correctly, so haven't installed it yet.

Finally, I am using LED bulbs to light the panel, and to my surprise, none have failed in 2+ years!

**chiefcfd** · 09-14-2023, 06:19 PM

I need to do this.

**68 C10 Driver** · 09-14-2023, 06:30 PM

Looks great! Great job on the install/conversion.

**K10-Kansas** · 09-15-2023, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkmc69

Good idea. How does it look lit up at night, in comparison to the rest of the cluster?

Sorry, I forgot to post these. Wow, you can really see how badly I screwed up that lens by not taking it out before cutting the hole. I think I'll stop at LMC in the morning and spend the 40 bucks to get another lense.

**K10-Kansas** · 09-15-2023, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeB

That's some very nice work there!

I used an oil pressure gauge and sender from a square body truck, but forgot the actual year range. Had to re-drill and wire the 69 panel. I also replaced the ammeter with a voltmeter from a square body.

I have a coolant temp gauge with numbers on it from a square body, but I just can seem to make it read correctly, so haven't installed it yet.

Finally, I am using LED bulbs to light the panel, and to my surprise, none have failed in 2+ years!

Looks like you didn't have to cut out a spot for the needle to move? On mine, the needle hit that half circle area.

**'68OrangeSunshine** · 09-15-2023, 08:37 PM

Nice Dash Build. While I personally prefer mechanical Oil Pressure and Water Temperature gauges, I truly understand not wanting hot motor oil spraying inside the cabin.
I once forgot to reattach my OP sender line and got my tan suede boots stained.
Anybody else old enough to remember Hush Puppies or Acme Dingos? These were pull-on wellington-cut 10'' boots with a gum rubber sole. Looked good with White Levis.
Kaput.

junksaver · 09-15-2023, 08:57 PM

Looks great!!! That's a good idea that looks factory when installed.

MS66 · 09-16-2023, 12:21 AM

Is that the factory tach for a '71?

**Richard** · 09-16-2023, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS66

Is that the factory tach for a '71?

No. A factory tach only goes to 5k. There is an aftermarket tach that is 8k.

**dmjlambert** · 09-16-2023, 02:12 AM

I'm staying tuned to this thread to find out why that oil needle hits the half circle unless it is cut into a full circle, or if there is any alternative treatments to deal with that.

**mkmc69** · 09-16-2023, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

Sorry, I forgot to post these. Wow, you can really see how badly I screwed up that lens by not taking it out before cutting the hole. I think I'll stop at LMC in the morning and spend the 40 bucks to get another lense.

I like it. The lens is just a lesson learned part.

**K10-Kansas** · 09-16-2023, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS66

Is that the factory tach for a '71?

When I got my truck my bezel and gauges were destroyed so I got a new one from LMC

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...-dash-clusters

MS66 · 09-17-2023, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K10-Kansas

When I got my truck my bezel and gauges were destroyed so I got a new one from LMC

https://www.lmctruck.com/1967-72-che...-dash-clusters

Thanks.

09-09-2023, 10:14 PM	#1
K10-Kansas Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Kansas City Posts: 496	Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric When I bought my truck there was oil all over the back of the dash. I cleaned it up and put in a new gauge cluster. The oil began leaking again and I could have just replaced the line to the gauge cluster but figured it would be easy to put in an electric gauge. I put this in a 1971 K10 with the stock cluster. I bought an electric ACDelco Oil Pressure Sending Unit https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ADO-D8034 Bought an electric gauge from LMC for a 78-79 c10 https://www.lmctruck.com/1973-91-che...pressure-gauge I had an oil electric wire off of my American Auto Wire harness but you could just run a wire straight from the gauge to the sending unit. I pulled the old mechanical sending unit. Put in the electric. Ran brown to ground, ran 12v pink, and blue in my sending wire. I cut out the full circle from the stock cluster so the needle wouldn't get hung up and to show the whole gauge. I drilled 3 holes in the back cover or the gauge cluster to hold the gauge in place and to connect to the wires and put little grommets in the holes. I colored the lettering on the gauge with a black permanent marker. Everything works perfect. Only mistake I made was I should have taken the plastic lens out of my gauge cluster because when I cut the circle out, hot metal marked up the lens. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 manual cab. 76 4x4 chassis. Cut short frame. Carbureted Blueprint 350, automatic 700r4. ~ James Last edited by K10-Kansas; 09-16-2023 at 09:44 PM.

09-09-2023, 10:57 PM	#2
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,113	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric . That looks great! No more oil plumbed into the cabin! Only you will notice those scratches. -klb __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

09-10-2023, 03:21 AM	#4
HotWheelsFan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 189	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Yea, and never do welding next to glass without covering it either... __________________ 1970 C20 Long Bed Fleetside - Restoration My truck videos - Youtube

09-10-2023, 07:53 AM	#5
mkmc69 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Logansport,In Posts: 546	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Good idea. How does it look lit up at night, in comparison to the rest of the cluster?

09-10-2023, 08:48 AM	#8
K10-Kansas Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2022 Location: Kansas City Posts: 496	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Here's the finished product before I put it back in the dash. Works perfect. Attached Images __________________ 1971 C10 manual cab. 76 4x4 chassis. Cut short frame. Carbureted Blueprint 350, automatic 700r4. ~ James

09-10-2023, 01:32 PM	#9
HotWheelsFan Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 189	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Very nice. I had to insulate the hard line to my gauge, it transmitted engine noise into the cab. Bob __________________ 1970 C20 Long Bed Fleetside - Restoration My truck videos - Youtube

09-11-2023, 11:29 AM	#10
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,544	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric That's some very nice work there! I used an oil pressure gauge and sender from a square body truck, but forgot the actual year range. Had to re-drill and wire the 69 panel. I also replaced the ammeter with a voltmeter from a square body. I have an LMC coolant temp gauge with numbers on it designed to fit 67-75 trucks, but I just can seem to make it read correctly, so haven't installed it yet. Finally, I am using LED bulbs to light the panel, and to my surprise, none have failed in 2+ years! Attached Images __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then! Last edited by MikeB; 09-16-2023 at 03:58 PM.

09-14-2023, 06:19 PM	#11
chiefcfd Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cadiz, Ky Posts: 512	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric I need to do this. __________________ 1972 Chevy LWB Roadster 1999 Chevy Silverado 2wd 2015 Chevy High Country 4x4 Crew Cab

09-14-2023, 06:30 PM	#12
68 C10 Driver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Kathleen, GA Posts: 643	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Looks great! Great job on the install/conversion.

09-15-2023, 08:37 PM	#15
'68OrangeSunshine Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Posts: 7,326	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Nice Dash Build. While I personally prefer mechanical Oil Pressure and Water Temperature gauges, I truly understand not wanting hot motor oil spraying inside the cabin. I once forgot to reattach my OP sender line and got my tan suede boots stained. Anybody else old enough to remember Hush Puppies or Acme Dingos? These were pull-on wellington-cut 10'' boots with a gum rubber sole. Looked good with White Levis. Kaput. __________________ Every 25 years I like to rebuild that 292, whether it needs it or not.

09-15-2023, 08:57 PM	#16
junksaver Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Durham NC Posts: 216	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Looks great!!! That's a good idea that looks factory when installed. __________________ 68 4wd Stepside 69 2wd Stepside Project 71 2wd Blazer Project 72 2wd 3/4 Ton Project or Parts? 73 4wd Blazer

09-16-2023, 12:21 AM	#17
MS66 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Florence, MS. Posts: 110	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric Is that the factory tach for a '71?

09-16-2023, 02:12 AM	#19
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,783	Re: Replaced mechanical oil gauge with electric I'm staying tuned to this thread to find out why that oil needle hits the half circle unless it is cut into a full circle, or if there is any alternative treatments to deal with that.



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