Vacuum Gauge Installation

[pjmoreland]

Here's a short video that gives an overview of the method I use to install a stock-style (reproduction) vacuum gauge in a factory gauge cluster. The only purchased items are the gauge and the decal material.

https://youtube.com/shorts/W6D0dcKrsCc?feature=shared

['68OrangeSunshine]

Cool. I have a Moon Eyes Vacuum gauge on 919. Bought it in '77 after breaking in my first 292 build. Invaluable gauge when tuning up, a real eyeball on the engine's health when cruising. Also the first indicator of a broken exhaust valve spring.
My nominal with a .030-over 292 is 17.5''Hg. [SBCs with greater displacement might have more Suction.]
Jumps into the 20s when engine-braking.
Drops low on acceleration.
Bouncing needle tells you a valve or lifter is blown.
On a long cruise, you can see if you're getting better economy by easing the acellerator pressure and decreasing RPMs without dropping your Inches of Mercury.

It's the Steam Gauge OBD.
Have one for the '71 Jimmy that I haven't put on yet. An AutoMeter.

[Getter-Done]

That is Cool.

So, you made your dimple dies out of delrin?

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by '68OrangeSunshine

Cool. I have a Moon Eyes Vacuum gauge on 919. Bought it in '77 after breaking in my first 292 build. Invaluable gauge when tuning up, a real eyeball on the engine's health when cruising. Also the first indicator of a broken exhaust valve spring.
My nominal with a .030-over 292 is 17.5''Hg. [SBCs with greater displacement might have more Suction.]
Jumps into the 20s when engine-braking.
Drops low on acceleration.
Bouncing needle tells you a valve or lifter is blown.
On a long cruise, you can see if you're getting better economy by easing the acellerator pressure and decreasing RPMs without dropping your Inches of Mercury.

It's the Steam Gauge OBD.
Have one for the '71 Jimmy that I haven't put on yet. An AutoMeter.

I like having a vacuum gauge. Might not be the most useful gauge on the dash, but it can't hurt.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Getter-Done

That is Cool.

So, you made your dimple dies out of delrin?

I designed them using SolidWorks and then had them 3D printed out of PLA. The gauge cluster metal gets bent at 90 degrees at the bottom of the opening with a sharp corner, and 72 degrees at the top with a large radius. It was an interesting challenge to model that accurately and have the two bend profiles blend together smoothly.

I put grease on them during use, and they form the metal very easily. I'm not seeing any wear on them at this point.