Gauges and templates..

[grahamt7]

Hi folks.

I'm considering fitting (3) gauges to the old girl, the main reason being to add additional light (the comfort feeling!) to the dashboard when driving at night.

The only place I can see that they would fit is in the drivers glove box.

So, the questions are:

1. What would be the most useful gauges to fit (oil pressure, oil temp, water temp, ammeter etc)? Also advice on type, electrical, mechanical etc please.

2. Does anyone have a template for the rhs glove box for a 67 saloon, so I can have an insert cut?

Thanks in advance O MM gurus!

[alex_holden]

Personally I think water temperature, oil pressure, and ammeter are the most useful (others may disagree). I prefer temperature gauges that show the actual temperature in Centigrade rather than just "hot" and "cold".

[Matt]

I agree with Alex, except possibly a voltmeter rather than an ammeter, basically because you have to run some big hefty wires to the ammeter!

Re: electrical versus mechanical: Electric water guage = cheap and effective, mecahnical guage: more expensive and poss. less reliable because the ether in it can escape...

electric oil pressure guage = £££££ and is probably less effective than a mechanical one!

[246gts]

Graham
I have a rhs glove box surround off the car that you could use to mark out the template. You could collect when you come for the wheels (and tyres!)
Dave

[8009STEVE]

I am trying a link for the first time. If it works, then have a look at this.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... &rd=1&rd=1

[picky]

Another good place is having a plate bolted to the parcelshelf just below the heater. You ca neasily fit three gauges there. I currently have my radio installed there and it works well except that you have to make sure you can still reach the full beam foot switch.

[grahamt7]

Cheers for the replies. Hadn't considered putting them down on the parcel shelf (although the dip switch thing doesn't come into play since I had it moved to the front of the heater - my wide feet just wouldn't easily go where it was ).

Still tempted by the dash insert on the glove box. Mainly to get a little light into the cab on the dark nights, but also for ease of reading.

I don't think I can get any more than three in that spot - anyone know any different?

[picky]

look at my signature pics in a little more detail

[picky]

three small smiths type gauges, and an MG midget rev counter. the rev counter is a bit of a squeeze but you could easily fit four small type gauges in there. I can send you a larger pic of it if you want.

[Shawn]

This is my setup. They're set in a sheet of 6mm MDF covered in vinyl, which is in turn set into a 50mm spacer (mild steel sheet bent into the shape of the glovebox. It fits like the original glovebox liner and uses the original glovebox lid screw holes to secure it.
The glovebox still closes so it can all be hidden away. Didn't require drilling any holes.

[picky]

Looking at Shawn setup (very well done in my opinion) you could fit 6 gauges at most, but in my opinion the three most important gagues to fit would be oil pressure, water temp, and ammeter.

[grahamt7]

Cheers guys, really appreciate the info and ideas, Feel some searching for gauges coming on!

[minor_hickup]

Mine are fitted in a 3 guage binnacle under the dash to the right of the steering wheel, leaving the driver's glove box for old sweety wrappers ! I didn't put it there but thats where I would if I had the choice.

I think voltmeter, water temperature and oil pressure would be the way to go. Our traveller has an ammeter and I think ignorance is bliss as I find myself playing the 'balancing game'!

[Roni]

Another idea for you. I fitted 5 in front of the driver. The 2 most important I found to be water temp and oil pressure. the middle is a 2'' rev counter, good for setting the idle. the other 2 are vacuum and an oil temp gauge. I have a separate volt gauge that has various homes around the car. The pics below might help too.

[grahamt7]

Roni, what are they set into?, and can you email me te pictire to gt7 at thomson555 dot fsnet dot co dot uk please?

Thanks.

[Roni]

The gauges are set into a solid, NZ Rimu, timber, shaped the same as the original steel one. There is a matching glovebox lid, minus gauges, also. Many, many coats of marine varnish. I was bored over one Christmas break. The timber came from an old cabinet that seemed to have timber too good to throw away. They are set at a slight up angle to face the driver. There are a lot of comments about the dash board.

I'll try to find the photos to email you as the bigger ones give a better idea.

[grahamt7]

Hey Roni, if you could turn those out I think there's money to be made there....it looks fantastic. Would go nicely with my wood steering wheel too...

[Roni]

I had some one ask once "Is that original?"

[JimK]

Roni, that looks very impressive. I wonder if I could turn out something similar? I'd make it out of oak to match my house

I have a 4" revcounter to go in, and from Picky's photo it will be a tight fit unless I make more space as you have done.

Quick comment: what steering wheel is that? From another car or an aftermarket item?

[picky]

You are right JimK, I had to make two small cutouts in the metal glovebox surround and it is not ideal. I imagine it took you a while Roni to get the shape right??