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-   -   Gauges, Meaningful Ones (https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334041)

Bob Bidonde 12-21-2023 12:08 PM

Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

I have an accessory gauge mount the goes on the steering column and has room for 2 gauges. My car already has a temperature gauge, and it has a Model "B" engine. What 2 gauges do you suggest I put into the steering column bracket?

Jim Brierley 12-21-2023 12:56 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Move the temp ga. to the new mount and add an oil pressure ga.

Banditorama 12-21-2023 12:57 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Maybe a tachometer

These things don't build much oil pressure, so I wouldn't bother with that. What might be pretty handy is an air fuel ratio gauge. But, you'd have to weld a bung in the exhaust for a wide band O2 sensor

petew 12-21-2023 01:11 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

2 Attachment(s)
I have tachometer and water temp .

WHN 12-21-2023 02:17 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

The nice thing about having an oil pressure gauge is that you know that the oil pump is working. What could be more important?

Ours runs around 10 to 13 pounds cold and 3 to 5 pounds warm.

nkaminar 12-21-2023 02:24 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

I find a voltmeter, in conjunction with the ammeter, very handy. Hook it up so that it comes on with the ignition switch. When you first turn on the ignition it will tell you how good your battery is. You can view the voltage when cranking the engine to see if the battery is good under load. While you are driving you can monitor the battery voltage. If you have an alternator it will come up to a fully charged state, 7 or 14 volts, and the ammeter will be at zero. My battery shows about 8 volts when I am cranking the engine (12 volt system).

My alternator failed once while I was on a trip to a friends house. The ammeter showed a slight discharge, but the voltmeter was a spot-on clue. I monitored the voltage while I completed the last few miles to make sure that my ignition system was going to make it. The alternator was changed out at my friends house.

The oil pressure is important, of course, but I find that I am looking at the tachometer a lot more than the oil pressure gauge. I have an overdrive so I can keep the engine rpm in the right range for the conditions, such as climbing a grade or cruising down the highway.

petew 12-21-2023 03:52 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Neil did you ever figure out what failed on the alternator ?

WHN 12-21-2023 04:23 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by petew (Post 2278092)
I have tachometer and water temp .



Nice looking dash!

denis4x4 12-21-2023 05:19 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Volt meter and vacuum gauge. However, an oil pressure gauge can be fun when you point out it dropped to 5 PSI to a passenger!

Pete 12-21-2023 08:52 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

2 Attachment(s)
If you are going to have gauges, you need to have them so you can see them without distracting you from driving. That means looking at them with your peripheral vision. In other words without taking your eyes off the road.This is one of the first things you learn in racing and high performance defensive street driving school.
Mounting them so that when they are reading normal running value with the needle pointing straight up makes it very easy to recognize if something goes out of normal while driving.

CarlG 12-21-2023 11:23 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

I have a tachometer, water temp & clock.

nkaminar 12-22-2023 06:33 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Hi Pete, A wire connection failed at the end of the field winding. I cleaned up the stub and soldered it to the lead. I encapsulated the area with epoxy. I can't remember the details but that is the gist of it. The alternator is on the shelf as a spare. It appeared to be a manufacturing flaw.

Model "A" Fords 12-22-2023 07:30 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Does anyone have an inside indicator for tire pressure?

Bob Bidonde 12-22-2023 08:39 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Thanks all for your recommendations. My choices are a voltmeter to watch over my 12V alternator, and a vacuum gauge.

Big hammer 12-22-2023 09:57 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Bob I understand the volt meter, why the vacuum gauge? Inquiry mind wants to know.

BRENT in 10-uh-C 12-22-2023 10:13 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

If you feel the need for gauges at all, why not an o2 sensor gauge that tells the fuel mixture ratio so you can adjust the GAV for the best mixture? Maybe add a Pyro or a Vacuum gauge to set the timing to optimum??

mhsprecher 12-22-2023 10:23 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

I think Brent has a great idea. I'd love to see how to do that. I assume mounting it inside the muffler. Brent, tell us what to do here.

petew 12-22-2023 11:28 AM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Model "A" Fords (Post 2278275)
Does anyone have an inside indicator for tire pressure?

TPMS for rv's . Check Amazon

WHN 12-22-2023 12:11 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C (Post 2278324)
If you feel the need for gauges at all, why not an o2 sensor gauge that tells the fuel mixture ratio so you can adjust the GAV for the best mixture? Maybe add a Pyro or a Vacuum gauge to set the timing to optimum??



Brent, are you being serious or messing with peoples minds?

Happy Holidays to all.

Enjoy.

BRENT in 10-uh-C 12-22-2023 12:22 PM

Re: Gauges, Meaningful Ones
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by WHN (Post 2278358)
Brent, are you being serious or messing with peoples minds?

Happy Holidays to all.

Enjoy.



Air/Fuel Gauge Selection;
https://www.jegs.com/c/Gauges-Tachs_...10625/10002/-1



EGT Gauge Selection;
https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stor...yrometer+Gauge


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