1950 Guages Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

britnjc · 04-10-2009, 03:54 PM

I am in a bit of a dilemna. I am going to be installing the guages back in my truck in the next few weeks. What I have is a set of the original guages that came out that are in need of some cleaning up and new stickers etc. and I also have a set of new dolphine guages I bought to put in the truck. I really like the look of the stock guages maybe a little bit more than the dolphin. How hard is it to get the guages to work with my 4.3 ltr V6 and fuel injection to get the right speed and gas level. I have a new sending unit for the dolphin guages for the fuel tank. Just something I am trying to go ahead and work out in my head before I get to the point of install.

**mr48chev** · 04-10-2009, 09:10 PM

Classic instruments (and no doubt some others) can retrofit the gages with new works inside. http://www.classicinstruments.com/in...ntID=retrofits

I'd hate to guess what it would cost though.

dan42 · 04-10-2009, 09:20 PM

Not to be anal, but it's 'gauges' guys -

britnjc · 04-10-2009, 09:29 PM

we are a bunch of truck builders here, not english majors. i make more typos than your average joe. guess thats why i went into engineering

**mr48chev** · 04-11-2009, 12:05 AM

Oops firefox didn't catch that one. Guess we are going to have to stay after school and write "Gauges" on the blackboard 100 times each britnjc. And I'm usually pretty cautious about spelling too.

Fred T · 04-12-2009, 05:09 PM

I'll get started on this, but I don't know all the answers. Hopefully someone else can fill in the details.

Fuel gauge will depend on the tank you're using. Two issues here, 6 volt to 12. And there was a resistance change with the newer sending units. Both issues can be solved with the proper resistors.

Temperature gauge is mechanical. If your gauge still works, you will need a fitting adapter will be needed.

Ammeter is not dependent of voltage, but requires all of the charging current to flow through gauge. This is taken care of by the proper wiring harness.

Speedometer will depend on the transmission you use. If your tranny has an electronic sending unit, I don't think there is a solution. If mechanical, you can buy usually get adapters to go from the newer threads to the old. The speedometer gear will need to be figured out, and will be dependent on your differential gear ratio and your tire size.

Like I said, I'm just trying to get answers started. Please make corrections and fill in the blanks.

04-10-2009, 03:54 PM	#1
britnjc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Helena, Alabama Posts: 453	1950 Guages Help I am in a bit of a dilemna. I am going to be installing the guages back in my truck in the next few weeks. What I have is a set of the original guages that came out that are in need of some cleaning up and new stickers etc. and I also have a set of new dolphine guages I bought to put in the truck. I really like the look of the stock guages maybe a little bit more than the dolphin. How hard is it to get the guages to work with my 4.3 ltr V6 and fuel injection to get the right speed and gas level. I have a new sending unit for the dolphin guages for the fuel tank. Just something I am trying to go ahead and work out in my head before I get to the point of install.

04-10-2009, 09:10 PM	#2
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,555	Re: 1950 Guages Help Classic instruments (and no doubt some others) can retrofit the gages with new works inside. http://www.classicinstruments.com/in...ntID=retrofits I'd hate to guess what it would cost though.

04-10-2009, 09:20 PM	#3
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: 1950 Guages Help Not to be anal, but it's 'gauges' guys - __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7

04-10-2009, 09:29 PM	#4
britnjc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Helena, Alabama Posts: 453	Re: 1950 Guages Help we are a bunch of truck builders here, not english majors. i make more typos than your average joe. guess thats why i went into engineering

04-11-2009, 12:05 AM	#5
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,555	Re: 1950 Guages Help Oops firefox didn't catch that one. Guess we are going to have to stay after school and write "Gauges" on the blackboard 100 times each britnjc. And I'm usually pretty cautious about spelling too.

04-12-2009, 05:09 PM	#6
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: 1950 Guages Help I'll get started on this, but I don't know all the answers. Hopefully someone else can fill in the details. Fuel gauge will depend on the tank you're using. Two issues here, 6 volt to 12. And there was a resistance change with the newer sending units. Both issues can be solved with the proper resistors. Temperature gauge is mechanical. If your gauge still works, you will need a fitting adapter will be needed. Ammeter is not dependent of voltage, but requires all of the charging current to flow through gauge. This is taken care of by the proper wiring harness. Speedometer will depend on the transmission you use. If your tranny has an electronic sending unit, I don't think there is a solution. If mechanical, you can buy usually get adapters to go from the newer threads to the old. The speedometer gear will need to be figured out, and will be dependent on your differential gear ratio and your tire size. Like I said, I'm just trying to get answers started. Please make corrections and fill in the blanks. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.



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