Auxilary Gauges

[Bob Bidonde]

I have holders for 4 gauges in my Model A. So far I have added an APCO temperature gauge and a Auto-Gage vacuum gauge. My Model A has an alternator, so a voltage gauge is my next acquisition. That leaves one gauge slot open. What is a good choice to fill my empty gauge slot?

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Air fuel ratio gauge

 

[old31]

Bob what did you hook the vac gauge to?

 

[Big hammer]

Bob you have a model B engine? Isn’t that a full oil pressure engine? Oil pressure gauge !

 

[Brad in Germany]

How about putting a clock in your remaining bracket hole.

For inspiration, here is an original APCO double bracket with an APCO clock:

Brad in Germany








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[JayJay]

For the '30 Town Sedan I'm building, in addition to the ammeter, I'd like to have, in order:

1. Water temperature
2. Tachometer
3. Oil Pressure
4. Voltage

(I may interchange #3 and #4, not sure yet).

I was thinking water temp and tach in a two-gauge cluster on the steering column, and oil pressure and voltage in a two-gauge cluster underneath the instrument panel. Or I may try to get some gauges in a custom-fab panel that bolts to the dash above the steering column. I'm still thinking about this. In an ideal world the tach would be a little larger than the standard 2" instruments.

Anyone who has done something creative to get your gauges mounted, please post pics!

Thanks.

 

[nkaminar]

I use my tachometer as a tool more than any other gauge. I check the other gauges but the tachometer helps me use the right gear for conditions and when to shift.

 

[Rob Doe]

Neil, can you give an estimate of the rpm drops between 1st-2nd and 2nd-3rd?

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Old 31,
I use an electric windshield wiper, so the vacuum line fitting on the firewall is my source of manifold vacuum.


Big hammer,
The Model B engine has pressurized main & camshaft bearings. The connecting rods have dippers like the Model A, so the oil pressure in the rods is not obtainable. A connecting rod is most likely to fail in my experience, so I did not choose an oil pressure gauge. Thanks for the suggestion.


Brad In Germany,
I have the APCO gauge bracket you show, and I like the APCO clock you have in it. Is the clock a windup or electric? Where did get the APCO clock?

 

[Planojc]

Westach tachometer. It's nice to know your RPM out on the open road.

 

[Will N]

How about a sphygmomanometer to monitor your blood pressure as you fixate on what's happening with your temperature and vacuum gauges?

 

[JayJay]

Don't forget boost pressure.

 

[ThirstyThirty]

Westach tachometer. It's nice to know your RPM out on the open road.

I agree! a tach is nice. however, my modern car has a full time tach... and i often just drive it with the INFO screen on and it full of a large clock.

 

[nkaminar]

Rob, I don't know the drop but with my Burtz engine with Weber down draft I will shift when the rpm gets to about 2,000 unless I am trying to merge onto a highway and then will shift when I get to 3,000. There is more rpm available but I don't need it and why stress the engine when unnecessary.

When charging up the grade outside of Boone on 421, I will pick a gear combination that give me 3,000 rpm or a little less. I have an overdrive. That is only for about 4 miles. At 65 mph the rpm is about 1,500 rpm in overdrive third gear.

 

[Brad in Germany]

Old 31,
Brad In Germany,
I have the APCO gauge bracket you show, and I like the APCO clock you have in it. Is the clock a windup or electric? Where did get the APCO clock?

That is an original wind-up APCO clock that I found many years ago at a swap meet and took it to a watch repair person who cleaned it up and got it working again.

You can see that APCO double bracket combination in this era APCO advertisement:

...also in this original APCO pocket catalog/flier:

Brad in Germany



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[updraught]

Take up smoking. The ash receiver is cheapest.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

Ironically, I smoked my last cigarette at a Model A meet on July 14th, 1992.