Post to the EFV-8 Forum
Post Classified Ads
Shop the Online Store

User Login

Not Registered Yet? Click Here to Sign Up!

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

FORUM RULES: Users agree to these Rules when using Forum.

The site administrator reserves the right to change the terms and conditions of the user agreement without prior notice to the user. It is the responsibility of the user to regularly review the terms of this agreement.

The user agrees to the following terms:

All information that you provide to us for your membership is correct.
You will not use your membership to spam, harrass, or exploit other members in any way.
Vulgar, Abusive, Racist and Sexist Language will not be tolerated.
Commercial-type sales postings will not be allowed.
No mass posting or flooding of the boards is allowed.
No Advertising of parts or cars; no Ebay or business/commercial ads (please use the "Classified" for ads Wanted or For Sale).
VIEWING MULTIPLE TOPICS ON SCREEN: You can choose to see more than 10 Topics at a time ... Log In and choose "Preferences" from the top bar on the Forum page. Scroll down and Change the "Default Topics Returned" parameter to 25 or 50, and save the changes. Since this setting is stored in your browser 'cookies' (if enabled), it seems to use that stored value even if you are not logged in. So, if you use a PC that you haven't logged into the forum from, the setting still seem to remain at the default.
EXTERNAL PHOTO LINKS ON FORUM: You can still use external photo links in your posts on the new forum. They follow the rules of any link in that they have to have the URL link qualified down to the full image file name (example: .jpg). The links will open in a new browser window, the same as an uploaded image attached to a post. Since an image attachment to any post does not display inline with the post, the results are the same. You can use multiple external links within a post. This link is from photos on a site from Don Clink's 'Deuce@75' albums:

http://donclink.com/deuce_75_1/images/dscn2950.jpg

Using links from photo sites such as Photobucket can help in "size" issue with uploaded attachment files. For best viewing in web browsers, photos should be around the 800x600 pixel range, and probably not more than 1024x768. Most cameras today store HUGE jpg image files, as the default settings are in the 7, 8, 10, and 12Mb image sizes. The image files that are then attached are very large, and the browser can't display the full image size without using the scroll bars. Use the re-sizing functions of your photo editing software to reduce the image to 800x600, which reduces the file sixe and the image load time in the browser. Don uses Google's free Picassa3 software, which is an excellent photo management product. All of the photo albums of the Deuce, Grand National, and Auburn that are links on the NORG site were built using Picassa's web creation functions. And it's free? (THANKS to Don Clink for the info!)
HOW DO I SHOW MY EMAIL ADDRESS ALONG WITH MY USERNAME? You can LogIn on the Forum, and select PREFERENCES. On this page Members can add optional information such as their City,State, Country; Occupation; Hobbies: list a Homepage; list AOL Instant Messanger Handle; Signature; "Make Email Address viewable to others;" and even change the number of Default Topics shown on a page. WHEN others click on your profile, they will see this information.

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Aftermarket Gauges

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion

<< previous || next >>

Posted By

Discussion Topic: Aftermarket Gauges -- page: 1 2 3

51woodie

07-29-2020 @ 9:28 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 517
Joined: Jan 2017

A suggestion when troubleshooting gauges. When you turn on the ignition to activate the gauges, the coil and points are powered up unless both sets of points are open. I disconnect the primary lead to the coil when I work on my gauges to prevent damage.

51woodie

07-29-2020 @ 8:57 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 517
Joined: Jan 2017

I installed the mechanical gauges in my ‘46 because the original gauges for oil and temperature were not working when I bought the car. I have since repaired the dash gauges, thanks to support from the members on this site.

TomO

07-29-2020 @ 8:16 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 7256
Joined: Oct 2009

In most cases the gauge is working fine, it is the sending unit that is not working.

To test the temperature gauge,
turn on the ignition switch the gauge should move from hot to cold.
If it doesn't, connect a jumper wire from the wire on the 2 terminal sending unit that goes to the gauge to ground. Turn on the ignition switch. The gauge needle should move from hot to cold.

Incorrect hot or erratic readings can be caused by the 2 terminal sending unit. It is just a cold/hot switch that lets you know when the engine is too hot to operate. The switch is normally closed until the temp get to the boiling point, then it opens and the gauge goes to HOT.

The original KS single terminal unit, has a electrically heated element that pulses to control the current in the circuit. The dash unit has a matching circuit that controls the needle. The engine unit requires a good ground, so Teflon tape or sealing compound should not be used on the threads of any of the sending units.

Look for the letters KS in a circle on the sending units for the most accurate readings.

Tom

JayChicago

07-29-2020 @ 6:48 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 485
Joined: Jan 2016

42Flatman
If a gauge reading does prove to be inaccurate, my first suspect would be a faulty sending unit before the gauge itself.
To check temperature accuracy, a hand held infrared thermometer gun is a very handy tool to have in the old-car hobby. Only about $20. With this you can take actual readings on the engine thermostat housing, radiator, etc.
To check fuel gauge accuracy on a newly squired car, I drive till empty one time (with a gas can in the trunk) to learn what the gauge reads when tank goes empty.

39 Ken

07-29-2020 @ 4:00 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 380
Joined: Oct 2009

There is a guy on the "Ford Barn" for sale site that goes by the handle of ROUTE66KIX. He has NOS gauges for various years at reasonable prices. Check with him. He may have what you need.
Ken

This message was edited by 39 Ken on 7-30-20 @ 3:35 AM

trjford8

07-28-2020 @ 1:58 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 4222
Joined: Oct 2009

Check e-Bay or with Michael Driskell at Third Gen Automotive( 844-327-5988). New old stock gauges are out there. I suspect you can buy them for about the same price as new aftermarket gauges. If you are having fuel gauge issues you could have a bad float or a poor ground . It may not be the gauge itself.

This message was edited by trjford8 on 7-28-20 @ 2:00 PM

carcrazy

07-28-2020 @ 1:26 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Senior
Posts: 1674
Joined: Oct 2009

Here is a gauge panel mounted below the dash that includes three mechanical gauges. The water temperature gauge is to keep an eye on up to date changes in coolant temperature as the car climbs hills or encounters high ambient temperatures. The oil pressure gauge is to provide an accurate reading of oil pressure when the car is at idle after highway trips, when the original electrical gauge reads zero, I can be assured everything is OK as the mechanical gauge reads 20 PSI. The vacuum gauge shows how hard the engine is working and whether or not the power valve is open using more fuel.

42Flattman

07-28-2020 @ 1:20 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Jun 2020

TomO.......don't really want to install additional gauges....and not 100% sure yet that they are the problem....working on it though.....where would a fella get replacements for the originals or get repaired should I need to go that direction ?
Thanks

42Flattman

07-28-2020 @ 1:15 PM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 40
Joined: Jun 2020

It's cool Jay....no prob.

JayChicago

07-28-2020 @ 11:54 AM

reply profile send p.m.

Member
Posts: 485
Joined: Jan 2016

Now I like that tach in the clock opening. Looks like it belongs there.

I apologize for my too-critical comment above. Was expressing my take on this, but of course that’s just one dope’s personal opinion. And I do agree everyone should feel free to do what they like, make it their own special car.

<< previous || next >>

PAGE: 1 2 3

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

Merchandise Questions

Membership Questions