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I am swapping a 351w into my 47. I would like to use the original gauges in the cab.
Is this possible?
I have seen that there are 12v conversion adapters to go from 6v to 12v. But there are many different types of adapters and I am not sure which one I would need.
But would those work with the more modern fuel sending unit, temp sending unit, and oil pressure sending unit?
I would put in 2 six volt batteries in series and a 12 volt alternator. Then tap one of the batteries for the original gauges. The originals are probably positive ground but if you reverse the wires they work.
If you are changing sending unit on the gas tank you will have to step down the voltage with a resistor - check on the HAMB site - a lot of builders have done this. Some of them change the guts of the gauge to a modern unit and keep the original face.
Use the original OLD Ford senders and use a reducer, like a Runtz, on each of the gauges.
I actually made my own reducers, using some 7806 voltage regulators and a heat sink. I used a BWD S330 sending unit for the oil pressure gauge, which is actually a 90# sender. Temp sender needs to be a single pole one for a pre-56, if I remember correctly.
Start with a LM7806 voltage regulator
Red is 12v in, black is the ground bleed, and white is 6v out. Regulator is screwed to an aluminum heat sink
the BWD S330 sending unit for the oil pressure.
Shows them installed on my '40 coupe's instrument panel.
BTW, I bought the voltage regulator s and heat sinks on eBay for less than $10 for 10 of each. I did my coupe, 40 truck bro-in-laws A coupe (using 53-55 F100 gauge cluster), and will be doing my 54 f100 with some, too. I've not connected the voltmeters in the 40s, though.
I have this thread bookmarked for when I get to that step in my project. It could be awhile, haha. I am just trying to get an idea of what is possible.
