Instruments ignorance. HELP thread

In this days I'm thinking about dash instruments and how many rodder adapt other car's gauge clusters to different engine and tranny setup.

This may be a guide for newbyes on this argument like me.
Now this is my first experience with gauge clusters etc.. so be gentle!

I want to adapt '49 merc instruments to '38 ford coupe custom with following setup: '63 cadillac 390 - T5 BW ford escort - aftermarket sending unit - 12V setup

What about voltage? how T'5 can give the right Mp/h to merc cluster?
Fuel level work with aftermarket sendig unit??

Thanks in advance
Luca

 

The speedometer should work fine if you can get a cable to fit both ends. Almost all car speedometers work by turning 1000 revolutions per mile.

The sending units need to match the gages, so see if you can find the Merc sending units and make them fit. I don't know if the 38 Ford and 49 Merc senders are the same, if they are then you can use the original Ford parts

 

what are you doing to the front of that car? forming a new frontend?

 

Ahh so is it not hard as it look! Thank you squirrel, and about oil and water temp??

 

@ hotrod,

yeah, the frontend is 100% custom, no one piece of stock '38 FE follow the lines who I have in mind!

That's after forming the rear end...

 

If the oil gage is mechanical, you can just connect it directly. Same with the temperature. If temperature gage is electric, you should use a sender that matches the gage. For 12v you probably need a late 1950s Ford instrument voltage reducer (for gas gage and temp gage)

 

Nice, squirrel you are an Hot rod dictionary. Thank you.

Luca

 

Yes the senders need to match the dash gauges on the old Fords and Mercs for temp, oil pressure and tank level. Gauges built by King Seely and have bi-metal strips with coils of wire wrapped around them in the senders and dash gauges. I have 14 pages of prints for the '49 Merc I can e-mail to you if you like....just PM me your e-mail addy.

Jim

 

....so it is as hard as it look I PM'd you! thanks