Model A Gauges

R

Ruth

Well-known member
Raining here today with nothing to do so I started thinking (that's bad right there!). My Model A came with a water temperature gauge installed when I bought it. I have an old Motor Minder gauge I am thinking about installing. I am wondering what other gauges (oil, tach, etc) other Ford Barn members have in installed in their Model As. Any pictures of how you have them mounted? Thanks.
 
No Model As came to Australia in 1931 so no one has seen an original 1931 steering column support bracket and they are not available in RHD. I made them for the 28/9 model and 30/31. I put a thick web at the back of the pattern so it could be drilled and tapped to hold a plate on which I mount instruments and warning lights. On the most used driver car I have, there are oil pressure (pressurised middle main bearing) and temp gauges along with lights for turn signals, charge and high beam. There is also an old watch stuck there with blue tack.
The location is perfect.
 
Agree with Bill. I will only have the original gas gauge, ammeter, and speedometer.

Nothing else. Mine had an oil filter which I removed and it had a temp gauge which I also removed. Both looked like they leaked and were just more things likely to break.
 
I wouldn't be game to try what I do in my A without the internal alterations to the motor and some instruments to keep me informed about what is happening in there. Try doing 12-15,000 miles in one trip at 50 mph while towing a trailer weighing about a tonne with the original instrumentation and not wondering all the time how things are going in there or when is it going to break. Sorry, but the original instruments are not enough for my kind of use. Henry limited what he put in there because of cost, not because extra instrumentation wasn't a good idea.
For a putter around town a few times a year, fine but........
 
We run the Apco gauge cluster that mounts to the steering column. On one car we have a temp gauge and a tach, the other we have a temp gauge and oil pressure. The Apco holder is available from the parts suppliers, you can use modern gauges you just have to get the smaller ones that fit the Apco holder.
 
I have em'; don't use them.
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One Guy used little Vienna Sausage cans, painted BLACK, for Gauge mounts. Mounted them under the Dash Rail. Another Guy used LARGE PVC Pipe caps, for mounts. Another Guy just "engineered" IDIOT LIGHTS. He carried a SCHEMATIC of his system, in his door pocket, along with a TEST LIGHT!--LOL
Bill W.
 
I fully understand the KISS principle but while on tour, as Synchro says, it is a good thing to be able to monitor the engine and prevent something bad happening.
The Motor Minder that I mentioned, while not essential, can also be used in diagnosing engine problems and tuning.
 
Here's mine: Tach on the left, Water Temp on the right. Gage holder came from Bert's
 

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I have always added an oil pressure gauge. At least you know the oil is still flowing.

Never needed temperature gage. That’s one area I spend a lot of time making sure things are right. Runs between 160 and 170 degrees even on the hottest of days. Enjoy.
 
For my money, gauges are a solution looking for a problem (and possibly creating one). I don't see much percentage in making a simple thing complicated without a clear and significant benefit.
 
I tour and my APO temp gauge saved an engine. Developed a rad. hose leak on lower while on tour in mountains. I noticed the temp rising stopped and repaired before an overheat! Have you priced an engine rebuild lately? An ounce of prevention for me folks. Going to the ice cream joint on Sundays not so much.


IMHO to each their own. I also have a motor meter looks cool but damage already done by the time it blows its top.
 
I have a TI on my Town Sedan. Only problem is I have to keep pulling over to the side of the road to check it. :p:p

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Here are two gauges I added to my CCPU. A 1930s National oil pressure gauge, and a 1940s Auto-Lite mechanical water temperature gauge.

The gauges are mounted in a modified Model T instrument panel. Faux patina was added to 'sort-of' match the rest of the truck.

No real Model A parts were harmed in the making of this accessory.
 

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700rpm said:
For my money, gauges are a solution looking for a problem (and possibly creating one). I don't see much percentage in making a simple thing complicated without a clear and significant benefit.
Click to expand...

And just how, pray tell, is adding a gauge going to "create a problem". With your logic maybe we should all remove our ammeters too!

If someone wants to monitor their engine while driving, what is it to you? It is not exactly a modification that can't be removed, like say chopping the top... :p:p
 
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