New instrument cluster

[big bear]

looks good man

[1979C20]

Here is how I did mine.



I cut out the black metal piece to fit the gauges and use the mounting threaded ring that is included with the gauge to install it.

[beastie_3]

Do you have a picture of it complete? Did you use the clear plastic as well, or just put the outer bezel on?

[1979C20]

Ill have to take a new one complete, I cant find my old one  I used the clear plastic piece when I first did it, I had to cut out circles around the gauge so it would sit flush, but the plastic broke one of the times I was working on my dash.

[paniolo]

I just added in an a/t temp gauge in the clock spot.  You can see the clock adjuster hole in the plastic still, but it blends very well with the oem gauges.



I tried mounting it to the clock face plate, but that was too small.  So I just used a scrap of sheet metal.  I spend too much time trying to match the oem bend.  I just a flat section with enough bend to get to the mount screws would be fine.


On my '81 they did away with the metal cover over the gauges and it is flexy plastic you couldn't mount anything to that.

[ssapach]

I like the looks of some of those aftermarket gauges, but what bothers me the most is the 8k or 10k rpm tachometers.  I would only want something up to 5K rpm maybe, but it's not as common in some of the gauge series that I like.

I'm not knocking anyone else for using the higher rpm gauges, it's just a personal preference of mine that's all.

[bobcooter]

I don't recall ever seeing a tach that only went to 5 grand.

[reload]

Other than 90's and early 2000 stock tachs, I haven't either. 

I don't see a problem with an 8k tach or even 10k.  A sbc has no problem making power to 7k with some love

[beastie_3]

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ATM-2697/

[reload]

Cool

[1979C20]

Diesel tachs only go to 5 or 6, redline.

[Skunksmash]

Here ya go, I have put the billet dash piece on it now but dont have a pic with it on there.                    

Now that's more like it! I hate the surface mount look. Looks cheap and tacked on. I'm not doing 'em unless I can recess them properly like you did. That is the way they're supposed to be. What was the exact size that you used for the RPM gauge?

If only I could afford this:

http://autometer.com/cat_gaugedetail.aspx?ref=search&gid=4237

[Captkaos]

This is how you do it:  http://73-87.com/7387garage/interior/gauges_recessed.htm
Jeff (bigblock73) will probably sell you brackets for this also.

[69byrd]

Those are the instructions that I used to do mine. Now that he has the brackets I am sure it is alot easier.

[Skunksmash]

Ok cool I'll use that guide.