Technical Gauge Replacement help

Does anyone make new gauges that will fit in the original instrument panel for a sbc engine? In my 1930 ford coupe. Thanks

 

I have never seen anything that is just a bolt in. The problem is that there is not enough room between the tank and the dash panel for most modern gauges. The small original amp meter barely fits. Spacing the gauges out or spacing the panel out doesn't usually look good. I would consider leaving the original gauges and adding a couple of more. You can get a holder for two additional gauges that mounts below the existing instrument panel (http://www.vintageford.com/word_search.cfm?DescEntry=gauge&Line=Hot Rod&Category=&StartRow=1&PageNum=1). There is also one that will hold one additional gauge but I don’t see it in the current catalog. You can also get one that mounts around the steering column for two additional gauges, http://www.brattons.com/product.asp...artPosition=1&strSearchCriteria=any&PT_ID=all. You can mount gauges in the passenger side kick panel that can be seen by the driver. You can get an “Aristrocrat” gauge panel that will hold two additional gauges (see http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/the-official-pre-war-accessory-aftermarket-gauge-thread.876355/#post-9657036). These Aristrocrat panels used to be available as a reproduction but I haven’t seen one recently. Note that they made one for the round and one for the oval speedometer. Be sure to check to see if the Aristrocrat panel has enough room for the gauges you want to run. Be aware that these gauge holders may be intended for slightly smaller diameter gauges and need to have the holes enlarged for modern gauges.


You next option is to locate the tank to the rear like a ’32 or run saddle tanks. If you do that you can fill the existing tank (now the dash) and cut out the bottom for access (be sure to look for a bad tank and don’t ruin a good one). Now you can run gauges in a line with maybe an in dash radio, glove box or AC outlets. You could also add a formed insert on the face of the tank like the ones in the deuce dashes above. One of these looks like a Model A with a reproduction deuce dash that is designed to go into the Model A. I wonder where he mounted the sender for his gas tank?


Charlie Stephens