We all know that "gauge" is pretty generous when describing the oil pressure indicator on bricknose trucks. But what about the engine coolant gauge? Mine has been on the first line (even before the "N" on Normal) since I bought the truck. I assumed my thermostat was stuck open. Today I bought a new thermostat and installed it.

When I took the old thermostat out it was open because I had just driven to the parts store. But as I worked on the truck the old thermostat closed completely just like it should. I put the new one in, drove up a very steep hill and.. ... the gauge went to the same place it always goes to.

So is the engine temp gauge real or an idiot light with a needle?

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I've been thinking about aftermarket gauges but I want to keep it really clean in the cab. I considered cutting up the factory cluster and installing Autometer gauges in it but I have a bunch of other projects on Christine that could use $500-$750 instead. So if I could redo the factory gauges to make them real and accurate it would fit the look and budget I need it to.

I see a bunch of write-ups on the oil pressure sending unit, although they fall short of telling me where to jump the 20 ohm resistor and how to make a 1987 sending unit fit between the block and frame. But what about the other gauges?

Both fuel tanks when full make the needle go 150% of full. In other words, when it shows a full tank I have 1/2 tank, when it shows half tank I actually have 1/4 tank etc.

Any other suggestions?

- Joe -

 

Could be the sending unit has gone awry. Mine was toast when I bought my '89 and didn't read. Replaced it and it runs basically middle/left side of middle. Not an idiot, but a functioning gauge.

My alt guage fluctuates badly. Just flicks around occasionally, usually reading "low" voltage even though I know it's near 14v. Just random, never know if/when it's going to go out to lunch. I used to worry, now I don't pay attention. I've had the cluster out, pulled guage out, cleaned terminals and reassmbled. Same issue. Don't know what to do, would like to put a small digital gauge in just to let myself know it's good. 3 yrs and never get around to it.