I have a 1993 Mustang LX 5.0. I just purchased white face gauges from speedhut. Are there any tips or anything that I should know of before attempting this. I have did a lot of research on this subject. I am pretty mechanically inclined, so it should be no problem. Just if anyone has tips please let me know. Thanks Travis
Help With White Face Gauge Install!!!!!
- Thread starter roadrunner19va
- Start date
If you haven't done this yet, here's my advice (after screwing up several
Mark the needle positions as many different ways as you can, while the engine is completely cold and you have less than a full tank of gas. Take pictures of the needles, draw diagrams, etc. Don't half-ass it, if your needle points just below the L but not exactly on the L, draw it that way so you know.
For the tach, start it up and right down exactly where it sits when you are idling, and when you're done with the install, start it and press it on exactly where it was.
Speedo, once you get it all installed, take a drive next to a buddy and have him yell your speed out at several different speeds, then press the needle on. Then speed up and make sure it's still right.
The needles dont need to be jammed on there hard, just press them on gently, and take your time prying the old ones off (forks work great.)
I guess the real consolation is, if you do screw up the needle positions, they're basically all useless anyway (except the speedo, which is questionable,) since they just point anywhere. Long as you know where the needle usually sits, you can be the judge of whether you have problems or not (my needles are way off, but I know where they normally sit so I know if the charge is too low/high, oil pressure, etc.
Mark the needle positions as many different ways as you can, while the engine is completely cold and you have less than a full tank of gas. Take pictures of the needles, draw diagrams, etc. Don't half-ass it, if your needle points just below the L but not exactly on the L, draw it that way so you know.
For the tach, start it up and right down exactly where it sits when you are idling, and when you're done with the install, start it and press it on exactly where it was.
Speedo, once you get it all installed, take a drive next to a buddy and have him yell your speed out at several different speeds, then press the needle on. Then speed up and make sure it's still right.
The needles dont need to be jammed on there hard, just press them on gently, and take your time prying the old ones off (forks work great.)
I guess the real consolation is, if you do screw up the needle positions, they're basically all useless anyway (except the speedo, which is questionable,) since they just point anywhere. Long as you know where the needle usually sits, you can be the judge of whether you have problems or not (my needles are way off, but I know where they normally sit so I know if the charge is too low/high, oil pressure, etc.
Euphoric306
New Member
- Apr 5, 2004
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i think i need all new gauges themselves, after installing some white face gauges my fuel gauge doesnt work at all, temperature doesnt go up, oil pressure is normal sometimes, and my voltmeter gets stuck and i have to tap the plastic for it to move to the right spot... oh yea, speedo bounces and says im goin 35 on the fwy
****en DIY projects....
****en DIY projects....
Taking the speedo cable may give you a little headache. What to do is press down on the white plaster cusp that holds it in place, then wiggle it while pulling it away from the back of the cluster. It goes on the same way, naturally.
Euphoric306
New Member
- Apr 5, 2004
- 905
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oh yes that took me like ten minutes to figure out haha
while you're in there, spray some lubricant down your speedo cable so it doesnt start makin noises later... and dont get dry film lubricant on your paint, some dripped down on my plastic pieces and took the paint right off, luckily its the paint behind the gauge cluster
while you're in there, spray some lubricant down your speedo cable so it doesnt start makin noises later... and dont get dry film lubricant on your paint, some dripped down on my plastic pieces and took the paint right off, luckily its the paint behind the gauge cluster
Euphoric306
New Member
- Apr 5, 2004
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pick up some flourescent orange model paint and while you've got the needles off, use some acetone to remove the stock white paint and make those gauges really look good
sshocker96
New Member
What brand did you buy? I bought MAC & they came with a needle removing tool. Also, with my experience, don't expect too much. I installed mine EXACTLY as per instructions & there were still 'dark' spots. I called MAC & thoroughly explained my install & they sent out a new set. Again, I installed them according to directions. This time they came out a little better, but not like stock. I searched around the net & many people have had this experience. If you hold the guages up in the light sometimes you can actually see where you will have dark spots. They look great during the day, at night, they're just OK. Be careful when peeling off the old black guages, the glue left behind can keep light from coming through properly. Also, while I had it apart, I replaced all the bulbs. I felt it was good insurance, as it was a PITA to access the guages on a foxbody. It did make a slight difference in brightness. Good luck!
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