Fairly new-to-me 79 superb F250 4x4 - owned it for about 4 years, but never really drove it (pretty much on to the trailer, and off into storage). So fast forward to today, figured I might as well get it mobile, and start on a few little things - the eventual plan was a Cummins 5 speed, but for now I will drive it with the current 460/auto (no, not original, converted by previous owner - '74 spec., weiand intake, Edelbrock Performer, RV cam - pass anything but a gas pump, etc.)

So anyhow - runs fair, needs carb cleaned. PO hung a mechanical heat gauge under the dash, and I see why - heat gauge runs almost pegged, mech. shows around 145-160. (okay, needs a thermostat too). Oil pressure is the scary one, bottom of "normal", and fuel gauge reads 1/4 with the tank fairly full. It is a supposedly fairly fresh motor, and I know the guy, don't think he'd bs me too bad, and it doesn't act like weak oil pressure, no lifter rattles on a cold or hot start, or lugging it, etc. Yes, will check with a mech. gauge asap, but.....

If only 1 gauge was wonky, I'd say sender - but with all of em reading strange, is it the voltage regulator? What are the parameters, and what are the symptoms? I've changed it in other fords, but on those it just flat failed, and they all read nothing.

 

Make sure you've got a good ground from the cab/firewall to the battery

 

Have you read this? Scroll down to the part about Crazy Dash Gages. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post1812190

 

These gauges sucked when they were new. Weak alternator, bad grounds, weak battery etc cause fluctuating readings. I run live gauges so I know the temp/Oil pressure and amp readings I get are trustworthy. My 74 F250 factory oil pressure gauge showed little to no oil pressure. Live gauge shows 75-80 at cold start and 25-30 at idle when fully warmed up. Runs about 45-50 when going down the road.