[pggto]

I'm looking for a info on speedo's and tach's. What year cars had what speedo's and tach's in them? Did the engine size dictate that or the trim level of the car? Would a 350 Formula have the same set up as a Esprit or a 455 Formula? All TA's 160/8K? I'm interested in the 70-78 years at the moment. I'll post this question in the 74-76 forum as well. Thanks

[Ramairnacho]

Originally Posted by pggto

I'm looking for a info on speedo's and tach's. What year cars had what speedo's and tach's in them? Did the engine size dictate that or the trim level of the car? Would a 350 Formula have the same set up as a Esprit or a 455 Formula? All TA's 160/8K? I'm interested in the 70-78 years at the moment. I'll post this question in the 74-76 forum as well. Thanks

Ok this is what I know. 70 71 small plug in back of cluster with 160 speedo and warning lights or rally guages,72 73 big plug same but no orange under fuel in rally cluster. I believe 70 71 had black.flower clock knob, 73 74 big plug in knob but 73 last year of 160 speedo, 74-79 100 speedo ,74 last year of 8 grand tac. 75-79 6 grand tack. Hear are pics of my 70 rally guage conversion hard to find and original warning light

[Mike Davis]

Some early 80's had the 100MPH speedo, My October 79 built 1980 does.

[jerry455]

My 1976 "plain Jane" Firebird came with tach and gauges from the factory. It has a 100-mph speedometer and a 5,250 yellow line and a 5,600 rpm redline. It was a 350 2bbl. originally.

[unruhjonny]

I have understood that the 1980-1981 gauges were unique because they were manufactured in part to have more warning lights;
I don't quite understand how, or when EPA (ect) mandates required emmissions equipment to be updated for the model year;
If my memory serves me, 1980 was the first year to incorporate a small computer board to which was there in part remove the mechanical advance.
1980 gauges were also the first ones to have icons replace words on the gauge face.

I wrote more about speedo's and tachs in your other discussion HERE

[78w72]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

I have understood that the 1980-1981 gauges were unique because they were manufactured in part to have more warning lights;
I don't quite understand how, or when EPA (ect) mandates required emmissions equipment to be updated for the model year;
If my memory serves me, 1980 was the first year to incorporate a small computer board to which was there in part remove the mechanical advance.
1980 gauges were also the first ones to have icons replace words on the gauge face.

I wrote more about speedo's and tachs in your other discussion HERE

1980 didnt have a computer board related to timing...

1981 was the 1st year of ECM & had a speed sensor in the speedo that was an external part that bolted to the back to sense the speed for a couple ECM functions like torque converter lockup up. nothing related to timing, that was all in the distributor module & controlled by the ECM/spark box.

[Formulabruce]

1971 Esprit 4 speed gauges, same as a Esprit 400 automatic with gauges, same as the 455 with gauges.
1974 had a 160 speedo on a Formula 400 4 speed with full gauges, as well as a 160 speedo.
1972 formula 350 gauges same as Formula 455.
As has been discussed in the past, in middle of 1972 production, seat belt changes caused warning indicator to show up under the speedo.
Gauges WERE available WITH a Full size CLOCK, instead of a Tach, tiny clock combo most common to folks.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Formulabruce

...
Gauges WERE available WITH a Full size CLOCK, instead of a Tach, tiny clock combo most common to folks.

what seems to becoming lost to time is that many more cars (non-Trans Am models of course) left the factory with the "Rally gauges with clock" option than the "Rally gauges with tach and clock" option;
But these days they all have gauges with the tach (and clock).

[Formulabruce]

Originally Posted by unruhjonny

what seems to becoming lost to time is that many more cars (non-Trans Am models of course) left the factory with the "Rally gauges with clock" option than the "Rally gauges with tach and clock" option;
But these days they all have gauges with the tach (and clock).

Well said , and 100% correct. here is the blue car just auctioned, the 73 Formula.
>>>> Rally Ga & CL <<< W63