I guess if you know what you're looking at, you can't have too much information on the dash. Using this motto, I long ago converted the cluster to include the oil pressure gauge and ammeter. Pickups typically had dummy lights, but when the Bronco was introduced in 1966, it used the same cluster, but replaced the lights with gauges. I've also seen an F600 of the era with the amp/oil gauges. Converting the cluster is easy. I basically put my speedometer in the bronco cluster housing with the accessory gauges already in place, since the housings for the dummy light clusters are different. I chose to keep my speedometer because throughout the years of Bronco production, Ford kept changing the font of the speedometer and I like the original best.
This is the tach I bought. It's a mechanical 4000 RPM tach which is completely useless, except that it is brand new and period correct. They were used in the big trucks with torquey engines that made all their power below 3500. I found a company who specializes in disassembling them, changing them to modern movements, and changing the artwork to reflect it. While it's not a cheap process, it's nearly impossible for a DIYer like myself. The gauge is crimped together and replacing the artwork would be nearly impossible for me. If they agree to do the work, I'll post their web info here.
The vacuum gauge is the most under-rated gauge that is nearly never seen on cars that aren't running a turbo or supercharger. This is odd since the gauge tells you so much about how the condition of the engine and how well the carb is tuned for the application. It's also a great gauge for watching fuel economy and it does some pretty cool things while you drive.
I guess if you know what you're looking at, you can't have too much information on the dash. Using this motto, I long ago converted the cluster to include the oil pressure gauge and ammeter. Pickups typically had dummy lights, but when the Bronco was introduced in 1966, it used the same cluster, but replaced the lights with gauges. I've also seen an F600 of the era with the amp/oil gauges. Converting the cluster is easy. I basically put my speedometer in the bronco cluster housing with the accessory gauges already in place, since the housings for the dummy light clusters are different. I chose to keep my speedometer because throughout the years of Bronco production, Ford kept changing the font of the speedometer and I like the original best.
This is the tach I bought. It's a mechanical 4000 RPM tach which is completely useless, except that it is brand new and period correct. They were used in the big trucks with torquey engines that made all their power below 3500. I found a company who specializes in disassembling them, changing them to modern movements, and changing the artwork to reflect it. While it's not a cheap process, it's nearly impossible for a DIYer like myself. The gauge is crimped together and replacing the artwork would be nearly impossible for me. If they agree to do the work, I'll post their web info here.
The vacuum gauge is the most under-rated gauge that is nearly never seen on cars that aren't running a turbo or supercharger. This is odd since the gauge tells you so much about how the condition of the engine and how well the carb is tuned for the application. It's also a great gauge for watching fuel economy and it does some pretty cool things while you drive.
can you email me. i am restoring my own 1966 f250 and i could use some advice on how you did your gauges. really impressed with the tach. how did you get it to look so new? any advice on where i can find a vacuum gauge? best way to contact me is through email at cmiller@wdgrp.com. my name is craig. thanks!!
ReplyDeletespeedmeter gauge for sale 1966 ford truck
ReplyDeleteMore info you can find in 1966 ford truck shop manual pdf ebook.
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