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what gauges are most important?...

  • Thread starter Thread starter 6FIVE_STANG
  • Start date Start date Jan 12, 2007

6FIVE_STANG

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Jul 2, 2006
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San Jose, CA
Jan 12, 2007
#1
  • Jan 12, 2007
  • #1
i just bought my autometer sport comp tach today. i want three more tach to put under my '65 dash . What gauges do you guys suggest i should get? ( for example: volt, water temp., oil pressure, ect...)

..and, what is the diffrence between amp and volt.?
 

6FIVE_STANG

New Member
Jul 2, 2006
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San Jose, CA
Jan 12, 2007
#2
  • Jan 12, 2007
  • #2
should i get electrical or mechanical??
 
M

mustangchris

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Jan 7, 2007
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san diego
Jan 12, 2007
#3
  • Jan 12, 2007
  • #3
I would suggest going with the 5 gauge setup. It was special order in 65 but it had; Oil pressure, volts, fuel, temp, and of course the speedo. Mechanical gauges tend to be more accurate, but with things like copper tubing (plastic for some cheaper gauges) for the oil pressure running through your car there is a decent chance of leaks inside the car, not to mention a little bit trickier to route then wires. With electrical they are much easier to route, but some require a bit more setup.
As for volts and amps. You always want your volts to be at 12-16volts, while your amps can vary tremendously depending on what alternator you have and what electronics you have.
If money isnt an issue JME has a beautiful setup with all the gauges you should need, but it is VERY pricey. http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Interior/jme65-66clust.htm
 

ozstang65

Founding Member
Jul 13, 2002
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Queensland, Australia
Jan 14, 2007
#4
  • Jan 14, 2007
  • #4
6FIVE_STANG said:
... ( for example: volt, water temp., oil pressure, ect...)
Click to expand...

Yep, them three. If you want more, next on my shopping list would be Engine Oil Temp.

Voltage will tell you if your altenator has stopped charging (which is bad). Ammeter will tell you how many amps are being drawn - depending on where you put this in the electrical system it may still make a reading right up until your battery is completely flat (I think it is essentially a useless gauge).

Personally, I'd go for electronic water temp and oil temp.

Although not a gauge, I'd also reccomend a water level switch in your radiator header tank. This will let you know immediately if you've dropped your coolant - a temp gauge will show you an OK temp if its reading steam....
 

67Dylan

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May 11, 2006
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Phoenix, AZ
Jan 15, 2007
#5
  • Jan 15, 2007
  • #5
I like mechanical gauges instead of electrical, but electric gauges have come a long way and are fairly accurate. I like oil pressure, water temp, and tranny temp (for auto's only) for a simple 3 gauge set up, but you can substitute fuel reading instead if you wanted. Between volt & gas I'd rather know if I'm running low on gas, which you will need more than to see if your alty isn't charging.
If you go mechanical and decide the oil pressure is what you want, spend the cash and go w/braided line instead of the plastic or copper lines. It is real easy to route and less of a chance of a leak; I have yet to have a problem going that route in the last 10yrs since I switched from copper tubing.
 
S

Sicarius428

Active Member
Jan 6, 2004
2,085
5
49
Jan 15, 2007
#6
  • Jan 15, 2007
  • #6
Oil pressure, Water temp for sure. A third is subjective... hehe maybe boost.
Kevin
 

BullittStangV8

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Oct 5, 2002
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Jan 15, 2007
#7
  • Jan 15, 2007
  • #7
I'm going to go with:Water temp, oil pressure, and maybe fuel pressure.
 
M

mustangman70

Founding Member
Dec 30, 2001
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St pete, Florida
Jan 15, 2007
#8
  • Jan 15, 2007
  • #8
Oil, water, fuel for sure.

Boost is a MUST have if running...BOOST lol
 

67Dylan

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May 11, 2006
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Phoenix, AZ
Jan 16, 2007
#9
  • Jan 16, 2007
  • #9
BullittStangV8 said:
I'm going to go with:Water temp, oil pressure, and maybe fuel pressure.
Click to expand...

You do know you don't want to put FP inside the car? Beside it not being track legal it is just plain dangerous. I'm sure you meant the standard fuel reading
 

ozstang65

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Jul 13, 2002
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Queensland, Australia
Jan 16, 2007
#10
  • Jan 16, 2007
  • #10
67Dylan said:
You do know you don't want to put FP inside the car? Beside it not being track legal it is just plain dangerous. I'm sure you meant the standard fuel reading
Click to expand...

Fuel Pressure would be fine inside if it's electronic.
 

67Dylan

New Member
May 11, 2006
259
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0
Phoenix, AZ
Jan 16, 2007
#11
  • Jan 16, 2007
  • #11
ozstang65 said:
Fuel Pressure would be fine inside if it's electronic.
Click to expand...

DOH! See what happens when you run mechanical all the time?!
 
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