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

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

51woodie

07-29-2020 @ 9:28 AM

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

JayChicago

07-28-2020 @ 11:54 AM

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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.

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