The Forward Look Network | ||
| ||
What add-on gauge would you install? Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General Discussion | Message format |
imperial2100 |
| ||
Veteran Posts: 169 Location: Columbus, OH | If you had a mount point for an add-on gauge, what would you think is the most useful to install? As you can see by the picture attached, the previous owner of my 57 Imperial had something mounted here and it was removed, but the mounting bracket still exists. There's also a spare 12v feed taped off right here also, so it can be an electrical gauge instead of running the bulky mechanical gauge lines. I'm thinking a temp gauge, but thought I'd ask you guys to see if you had any better suggestions. Maybe even a small gauge cluster that shows temp, battery, and something else? Edited by imperial2100 2018-10-14 10:58 AM (re_600_20180703_082542.jpg) Attachments ---------------- re_600_20180703_082542.jpg (55KB - 182 downloads) | ||
mstrug |
| ||
Expert 5K+ Posts: 6500 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | To small for a gauge. Maybe a Cig. lighter or low oil pressure lamp? There are some neat gauge sets out there. Small and black? https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bosch-1-1-2-Mechanical-Mini-Triple-Gauge-Se... https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sunpro-1-1-2-Mechanical-Mini-Triple-Gauge-S... | ||
imperial2100 |
| ||
Veteran Posts: 169 Location: Columbus, OH | A cig lighter might be nice. Maybe something with a built in 5v USB plug for convenience. | ||
wizard |
| ||
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13049 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | I would'nt mount any extra gauges. The temperature gauge in the cluster is accurate enough for the purpose. After all, if the oem temp gauge works and show for instance 5 bananas on operating temperature, just measure the temperature on the thermostat housing with an IR meter and confirm the true value. Now you know that 5 bananas is the normal temp, hence 3 would indicate that the engine is too cold and 7 would indicate too hot The jinx is to find the correct temperature sender as most of them has the wrong ohm range | ||
BigBlockMopar |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3575 Location: Netherlands | The bracket simply held a switch for something in place. | ||
ttotired |
| ||
Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Yep, undo 2 screws and the ugly home made bracket is gone As for extra gauge, a tacho would be my only choice, but if your not driving a manual or manualised car, no real need for that either Volts can be handy if you electrically accessorise heavily If its basically a stock cruiser, then none | ||
Powerflite |
| ||
Expert 5K+ Posts: 9672 Location: So. Cal | The best thing you can add is what Marc suggested - a big oil pressure lamp. Because by the time you notice that something is wrong when you lose oil pressure and verify it on the gauge, the damage is already done. That's pretty much what happened with my DeSoto. If I had an idiot light hooked up, I might have been able to save the motor. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
| ||
Location: Parts Unknown | I visited a restoration shop years ago, and spotted some period after- market gauges in a 59 Olds. Super high quality, precision pieces. I asked about them and was told the owner wanted them gone. A little $$ changed hands, and I was free to carefully remove them and the gear that made them work. One is a tach, the other a vacuum gauge. Can't remember the maker now (been boxed up for decades), but they look so period correct and are so expensive looking ! Really cool period speed stuff. I would not put non-period gauges in a car like ours unless I really needed them, and could hide them from general view. In the main, they just look cheap and tacky. | ||
local2Ed |
| ||
Extreme Veteran Posts: 580 | For a driver, I'd use the three gauge cluster suggested above in conjunction with the factory gauges. If only one gauge, I'd go with oil pressure. | ||
udoittwo |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1348 Location: Valley Forge, Pa. | If I had a performance motor, there might be several I would add. As far as my stock 220 HP/318, as long as my "idiot lights" are working well, I can't think of any gauge that I would need. IF I wanted gauges, I would add gauges instead of the lights. Oil pressure slowly dropping or water temp rising, might indicate a potential problem. Regardless of mechanical or not, you would still need 12V for lighting. | ||
imperial2100 |
| ||
Veteran Posts: 169 Location: Columbus, OH | Thanks for the feedback. I'm in agreement that a cluster of gauges in plain sight would look bad in this car, but down under the steering wheel seems pretty tame, and I would never see it unless I lean back and look down there. It's not a performance car by any means, so I think if I could find some basic oil, temp, and something else, then I think it would be useful. I might explore a different detachable mounting bracket so I can unhook it and tuck it under the dash completely when showing the car. | ||
GaryS |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1207 Location: Ponder, TX | I added a tach and a vacuum gauge to my '64 Valiant, but realized I didn't use the vacuum gauge at all while driving. If I did it again, the vacuum gauge would be mounted under the hood to use when tuning. | ||
1960fury |
| ||
Expert 5K+ Posts: 7400 Location: northern germany | Never had any other instruments other than the OE fuel/temp gauge, speedometer and a amp warning light, lived with that w/o any problems for over 30 years. I think a good driver does not need a tach. I can hear the RPMs. That said, as I do alot of high speed driving and still run the (kinked) 5/16" factory main fuel line, I wouldn't say no to a remote fuel pessure gauge and an air/fuel ratio gauge, as I fear a high speed lean out. | ||
Lancer Mike |
| ||
Location: The Mile High City | A barometer! Think of what you could do with that! | ||
imperial2100 |
| ||
Veteran Posts: 169 Location: Columbus, OH | Lancer Mike - 2018-10-15 11:23 PM A barometer! Think of what you could do with that! I think we have a winner! | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
| ||
Location: Parts Unknown | I am often curious what the steepness of the grade is that I am on. Altitude is also of interest. | ||
Stroller |
| ||
Extreme Veteran Posts: 371 | If that little plate was there in my car I might move the power antenna toggle to it. | ||
ABloch |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1476 Location: Pacific Northwest | I went with a period correct oil pressure gauge. | ||
Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] |
Search this forum Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread |
(Delete all cookies set by this site) | |