Gauges
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Florida
speedo, fuel, water temp, oil press, tranny temp if you tow or 4wheel, voltmeter. Extra if you have the space or money, vacuum gauge if you tow or looking for mileage, A/F monitor for tuning, oil temp, axle temps if you 4wheel
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 4
From: New Mexico
Here's my top three:
Oil pressure - engines like a 351m are known to have low pressure
Water temp - found out my engine was running cold which prompted a new thermostat
AFR - critical in tuning a carb
Vacuum - tuning and mileage - next on my list
Oil pressure - engines like a 351m are known to have low pressure
Water temp - found out my engine was running cold which prompted a new thermostat
AFR - critical in tuning a carb
Vacuum - tuning and mileage - next on my list
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 7,165
Likes: 375
From: Near Los Angeles
The best thing I ever did was grow DOWN from 390 to a punched up 300. I gained 50% better mpg, loads of room in the engine compartment, and kept the hp of a stock 390. Of course it did cost a bit. I also gained bling. v8's are a dime a dozen.
To each their own. (I deleted the adjectives: pig, slobbering, hog, I first used to describe the 390).
To each their own. (I deleted the adjectives: pig, slobbering, hog, I first used to describe the 390).
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 685
Likes: 2
If you are building a custom gauge cluster, I envy you. After that cram every gauge you can afford in that thing. I don't think there is a thing as too much available information. Someone on here tig welded one up from aluminum and it looked great.
If I were to do it..
Tach and speedometer would be the biggest and centered
oil pressure and temp would be between the tach and speedometer. Engine vitals need priority too!
On either side I would have a voltmeter, fuel, A/F ratio, vacuum and trans temp(auto only), and an oil temp gauge.
Of course with this I would put in idiot lights for others driving it and a buzzer for when I leave my lights on.
If I were to do it..
Tach and speedometer would be the biggest and centered
oil pressure and temp would be between the tach and speedometer. Engine vitals need priority too!
On either side I would have a voltmeter, fuel, A/F ratio, vacuum and trans temp(auto only), and an oil temp gauge.
Of course with this I would put in idiot lights for others driving it and a buzzer for when I leave my lights on.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
In the interest of full disclosure, my 68 Mustang has all V8 running gear but I kept and rebuilt the 200-1V because I was a poor college student at the time.
It's a gutless slug... but a gutless slug that gets upwards of 24 mpg.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 8
From: Langley, BC
I love my six. I'll never get rid of it. So much engine compartment room (ever worked on an FE in a bump or dent with power brakes and air con?), the power isn't lacking and I'm only going to make it better, and I can get 19mpg in the city and do get 25mpg on the highway.
That, and it's different. You go to a car meet and everyone has a V8. Everyone. I mean, I don't blame them... but showing up with a tricked out six is always fun.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: Florida
In all honesty, I have driven several 300ci engines over the years, including a turboed 68 Mustang, and been impressed, and scared (the turboed 68 Mustang, handled on rails at stupid speeds 
then 
) Clifford had some stuff that was adaptable with some imagination into strong and efficient machinery. Even stock in a tug towing some LARGE aircraft.....although I do hate governers when unloaded 
I just had to say something to Trozie after the "truckboy" thread besides 
then ) Clifford had some stuff that was adaptable with some imagination into strong and efficient machinery. Even stock in a tug towing some LARGE aircraft.....although I do hate governers when unloaded I just had to say something to Trozie after the "truckboy" thread besides
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 32
No room for it! I'd like to have one but then again it's a 6bt cummins. Top revs right around 4k. A tach is nice but not really needed. If I do get one it'll probably be on top of the dash.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,806
Likes: 8
From: Langley, BC
Ah, explains the boost gauge. I watched my friend's 12v run away at 4,500rpm after his turbo blew up on the dyno. That was... interesting.