vt65

so how much gauges and all do you estimate?

rene-paul

How does the fuel gage work?

Brgds,

Rene

Fordracer9

Depends on the gauges you want. Autometer sells several lines at varying levels of quality and price.

Fordracer9

Last time I looked into this, Autometer didn't make a fuel level gauge that worked with a C2 sending unit. You will need to put a C3 sender in. That may have changed tho.

joeelutz

Well, I just used a 0-90 ohm gauge with a 0-90 ohm sender. I've also been told that you can use a C3 sender since it works this way. Actually I changed the wiring on the stock sender so that it works like a standard sender with one side grounded instead of powered and it works just fine. I don't really want to get into the wiring details because if someone wires it up wrong they could potentially blow up the gas tank. SO if you don't know how to wire it up, find someone who does.

joeelutz

What he said.

I paid a little over $850 for the somplete set of American Muscle series, but they are on the high end. There are many cheaper lines. I checked with the AutoMeter custom shop and they were going to charge $1500 to $2000 to upgrade the gauges if I sent in the stocker.

vt65

yes I was referring to the gauge set you have in your display set Joe

JohnZ

The ignition switch positions on '63-'64 cluster housings are "ACC-LOCK-OFF-ON-START", and on '65-'67 cluster housings they're "ACCESSORY-OFF-ON-START". That's why the ignition switches themselves are different between '63-'64 and '65-'67.

65silververt

I just ordered Joe's autometer conversion panel. I am not sure what original panel parts to sell and what to keep at this point, but i look forward to showing how the conversion is performed.
I contacted a company about converting my original gauges to electronic, but they wanted 1600.00 base charge, which did not include reconditioning the faces. OUCH!

dcaggiani

I am also in consideration mode myself. If you price out the Autometer gauges in the $800-$1000 price range + the $200 for the mounting kit to me, the savings of a few hundred is not the issue but rather what I like and what is the better solution for my project.

The other two viable options include Dakota Digital and Classic Instruments.

Dakota Digital has done a great job with their new VHX series for the C1 but are only developing the VHX (actual dials versus digital readouts) for the C2. I called the company today and they said that the earliest time frame to have this product available to the public would be December 2012.

Classic Instruments has the service to convert the C2 console with their instruments (all electronic of course) whereby they install the instruments into the console and wire it to a single point harness for ease of installation and access. They were nice enough to ship me 2 scrap dials (at my shipping expense) to review -



These are the American Series / Traditional.

Opinions?


Dan
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65silververt

Mounting kit is only 129.00 with shipping. The autometer ultra lite gauges with a silver face are 600.00.

1600.00 was just to convert the original gauges. That did not include any reconditioning work on the faces, etc.
I can sell the original gauges and clock for a few hundred dollars, so by the time all is said and done, i will probably only have around 300.00-400.00 in the conversion, if that.

dcaggiani

Excellent points to consider.
What about matching the clock? Using the 1963 style brings you close... sort of anyway....

So many decisions

Dan
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dcaggiani

Question:
For the Autometer Speedometer and Tach are you guys using the 5" diameter?
I ask because when I measure my Dash Cluster (1964), the opening is about 1/8" less than the 5"

Dan
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65silververt

Im going to use the 5" because that is what joe recommends. Im going to find a dash to alter and i will most likely use an autometer clock that matches the gauges. I havent figured out what to do about replacing the stock radio yet

dcaggiani

I answered my own question - looked at Autometer instructions PDF and the outer diameter is 4 15/16" so while snug - they fit.

In terms of radio -
I have been through the ringer on this one. Initially I was looking at a modified center console with modified center in order to place an "all in one unit (gps/bluetooth/HD radio/DVD...) but the modifications can get expensive quickly.
Another thought - put in the Retrosound direct fit radio that gives me a remote USB (ipod) and SD card support and use the Vizualogic mirror that provides GPS/Nav and Bluetooth capabilities.

dcaggiani

Using the AutoMeter Custom Shop tools online, not only can you custom configure the gauges, but you can also print them out in actual size. It is a great way to see if you like your design in the cluster before you decide whether to go this route or not.






Dan
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joeelutz

Dan,

Those look nice!

TheSaint

I must say that the gauges that looks the best is the factory gauges without a doubt in my mind

65silververt

[QUOTE





I really wish autometer did not make the gauge needles/pointers so ginormous!

dcaggiani

I have contacted Joe and sent him my 1964 dash cluster so that he can verify compatibility of the different years for his stainless steel auto meter adapter set.

We hope to have an answer soon and post pictures as the project evolves.

Dan
www.vetterodder.com