49 instrument cluster install

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Aug 10, 2023 | 07:40 PM

BobM1949

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49 instrument cluster install

Looking for help removing and installing instrument cluster from 49 F1. Presently has aftermarket cluster and need to remove and replace with original restored cluster.

Aug 11, 2023 | 02:27 AM

1949f1

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From: clinton,tn

There are about 3 nuts on some little clips holding it in on the back and it comes out after unhooking the wires.

Aug 11, 2023 | 07:15 AM

BobM1949

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Thanks I figured it had to be something like that.

Aug 11, 2023 | 07:16 AM

moejr

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Here is a rear view of the cluster, there are 3 mounting tabs that hold it in place by studs with 10-32 nuts (I think),

Aug 11, 2023 | 07:23 AM

BobM1949

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👍. Just a little tough getting to to rear of dash to find the nuts and disconnect all the wires. Should I be able to just reconnect the existing wires from the aftermarket wiring harness to the restored original cluster?

Aug 11, 2023 | 07:42 AM

moejr

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Removing the speaker grill might help getting access to the nuts. What aftermarket gauges do you have?

Aug 11, 2023 | 07:51 AM

BobM1949

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Didn’t think about removing speaker grill. That could definitely help. Not sure what kind the aftermarket cluster is. Ill take a pic of it. Thanks

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Aug 11, 2023 | 07:55 AM

BobM1949

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K. The restored cluster was converted to 12 volt.

Aug 11, 2023 | 07:59 AM

#10

hooler1

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From: Mason City, Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobM1949

K. The restored cluster was converted to 12 volt.

Interesting! Did you get a new set of senders then to replace the ones you have?

Aug 11, 2023 | 08:02 AM

#11

BobM1949

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No new senders. Hoping I can just disconnect aftermarket cluster wiring and connect to restored cluster. IDK.

Aug 11, 2023 | 08:19 AM

#12

hooler1

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From: Mason City, Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobM1949

No new senders. Hoping I can just disconnect aftermarket cluster wiring and connect to restored cluster. IDK.

Generally the senders and the gauges are matched. That is they are made and compatible for each other. If they are not they either won't be accurate or hardly work at all. Normally if you use a stock cluster on a 12 volt ignition conversion a dropping resistor is used to drop the gauge voltage to 6 volts to make everything compatible again. So you need to find out what senders are supposed to be used with your newly 12 volt converted, stock style cluster. That is if they changed the gauges as part of the conversion. That is if I am understanding correctly what you want to do.

Aug 11, 2023 | 09:04 AM

#13

bmoran4

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Aftermarket senders and gauges are very probably matched resistance models. The stock senders and gauges are King-Seeley distometers. You likely will need to also install stock style sensing units to match your stock gauges.