Looking for rec on after market temp gauge setup
 

I'm just tired of messing with my Rally Temp Gauge and decided maybe I should consider an aftermarket add on temp gauge. 3 months ago the tmep gauge was stuck at 100 and I found the wire connector at the sensor was bad, replaced it and it worked fine for about a month. Now the gauge is pegged at 250 as soon as I turn on the key. I guess it's shorted to ground somewhere but I have looked under dash and under the hood...... I'm giving up on it!

Locations I have considered are in the pillar post, connected to the steering column, near the console.


There are so many options out there and I have a few requirements.

1. I'm not willing to cut my dash or console.
2. Price must be under $200 for the whole setup.
3. Don't want it to stand out like a sore thumb. Must be small and nice looking.


Suggestions and pictures of yours are welcome.

gauges are like hookers, ya get what ya pay for...auto meter is prob the best,

i have a set in my 68 i will get pics, they are small, nice mlooking..i will get a pic...if all ya want is an oil and tem..you can pull the tray out of your ashtray and both will fit in there...when ya heed them flip the tray open, if ya dont need them..they disappear...

Sounds like a cool idea. I'd like to see an installation like that. I really only need water temp because my Rally Oil gauge is working fine. What about Electric versus Mechanical? I don't really like the idea of having radiator fluid circulating into the car.... keep it under the hood. Does the 1/2" sending unit adapters that come with these fit in the Pontiac Intake hole?

This is one I have found (Autometer 3655) to mount on the Pillar Post or anywhere. Just not shure how it will look.

Meter > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AutoM...item2c5626d2ac

Pillar Mount > http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Use a mechanical gauge..no fluids come in the car for water temp...i know your worried about temp...but oil pressure is just as important....you can put a brass T in and use your ralley gauge and a mechanicle gauge too...

If i was to buy a new gauge, you cant go wrong with auto meter...stick it in the ash try, get a white face so ya can see it easily...

I have the electric autometer water temp sensor and it fits in on of the holes to either side of the thermostat in my intake.

Jon

So you didn't have to remove the factory temp sensor, that's good. What gauge are you using and where do you have it mounted?

I've got this setup in my '69. The gauges and mount are from Autometer. Fits perfectly in the ashtray location.

That looks sharp.

I'm going to stick with all black (except the lettering) so it blends with the dash.

Has anyone tried the pillar post setup? I'm just not sure if it will be too much in my face when driving if it's on the pillar.

Here is the set-up in my 69 Convertible. I painted the tach black. I have the gauges under the dash. I've also got a 2 guage pillar pod with a boost guage and a vacuum guage.

When I got my car it didn't have a factory sensor.

I have Autometer ES Series Gauges. White letters on black / Red letters on black at night.

Temporarily I have oil pressure, water temp and voltage in a pod under the dash. The Tach mounts to the column and the speedo replaces the factory clock.

I have a new dash insert all planned out and a prototype made out of cardboard. I just need to cut it apart and use it as a pattern to make a new dash out of aluminum that will put all the gauges in the dash. Since my dash needs a complete redo, it will be getting paint, new insert and new pad. Redo the AC and all the electrical. Big project and I am in the process of collecting all the parts. Until then this is functional.

Night shot:
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...O/CIMG3369.jpg

Lower pod
http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/e...O/CIMG3619.jpg

Jon