Auto gauges install

The nice thing is that you can finish the wiring and then simply plug in one connector. As for the speedometer, the Chevy received a TH trans long before Justin owned it, so it had a traditional speedometer cable spinning the needle. Classic Instruments does nothing but electronic gauges, including their speedometers, but making the upgrade is simple with a pulse generator sensor that screws right in place of the cable on the trans. The sensor, called an SN16, is supplied and connects with a three-wire harness that ties into the single connector of the dash.

This makes for an easy installation with no external boxes or accessories to wire, and if Justin ever upgrades to an electronic overdrive, the dash is ready to accept the new signal for speed.

At night the assembly lights up evenly and the stock appearance will never fall out of style. Welcome to the modern era, thanks to Classic Instruments for modern gauges for a classic car. For the and Chevy there is an optional electronic gear indicator, which we opted to try out as the stock indicator was never even close due to the driveline swap.

This kit, which can even be used with a floor-mounted shifter, consists of a potentiometer that connects to the shift arm of the trans through the supplied linkage, then sends its signal to a small interface module. This device is programmable for the number of gears and the position of each gear to electronically move the new pointer. Due to the trans and column replacements on our subject, the shift arm geometry was not conducive to moving the potentiometer enough, so we easily adapted a second shift arm in a vertical position that worked like a charm.

It should be understood that cars with a variety of parts may need a little fab work here and there. Once connected, the interface module needs to be programmed, which is done through its LED and moving through each gear position. There are three ways to calibrate a new speedometer from Classic Instruments when installing modern gauges for a classic car: Instant, Real-Time, and the Measured Mile.

Following the steps to put the speedometer into calibration mode, you simply drive at 30 mph then push the calibration button for a few seconds. The speedometer is then set. The Real-Time calibration is exactly as it sounds; have a friend drive at a set speed then you can set the gauge to match as you drive.

You can probably guess how to calibrate the speedometer using the Measured Mile procedure. Manage Your Subscription Online Store.

Sign in. Forgot your password? Get help. Password recovery. Connect the other end of the wire to ground. Lay out the red power wire between the volt gauge and the power source. You can choose any suitable accessory wire under the dashboard as long as it is hot--has voltage--only when the ignition switch is turned to the "On" position.

The red power wires for the radio and blower motor are good choices. Route the volt gauge wire as you did with the ground wire in Step 6, and decide the length you will need. Cut the red wire to the appropriate length, and hook one end to the power connector on the volt gauge. Route the wire following the procedure in Step 7, and hook the other end of the wire to the power source. Wrap the connection to the power source with electrical tape.

Since Dan Ferrell has contributed general and consumer-oriented news to television and the Web. His work has appeared in Texas, New Mexico and Miami and on various websites. Photo courtesy of billjacobus1 at Everystockphoto. Step 1 Park your car in a safe, level place. Turn off the power. Step 2 Choose the best mounting location for your autometer volt gauge.

Step 3 Mark the mounting holes for the volt gauge using the mounting bracket for your gauge as a template. Step 4 Drill the mounting holes using an electric drill.

Step 5 Install the gauge mounting bracket using coarse thread pitch screws for better hold. Step 6 Lay out the black ground wire between the gauge and a good ground under the dashboard--a metal surface from the dashboard or an existing bracket.

Step 7 Cut the ground wire and hook one end to the ground connector on the volt gauge; then route the wire toward the ground you decided on in Step 6. Step 8 Lay out the red power wire between the volt gauge and the power source.