Any recommendations for tach' and vacuum gauges?

[robroy]

Hi Shayne, good recommendation! Thank you.

I've been reading through the documentation from Stewart Warner, VDO, and Autometer.

From what I've seen so far, the highest performance gauges are the Autometer Pro-Comp liquid filled, mechanical gauges. I haven't seen any gauges yet that are liquid filled from Stewart Warner or VDO, but I may not be reading enough fine print.

It also looks like the vast majority of gauges designed primarily for styling do not perform super well. Maybe this is because the folks who care primarily about performance are putting them in race cars and don't care very much about the styling? What's the deal.

What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[heviarti]

how about Isspro? they make a tach+hourmeter that's really crispy.
http://www.isspro.com

[robroy]

Hi Shayne and Heviarti, thanks for the replies!

Shayne, it's good to hear that the liquid filled gauges aren't any better for street applications. It seems like there aren't too many liquid filled gauges made, and the liquid filled Auto Meters don't happen to have the styling that I'm looking for.

I had seen F600 mentioned before but didn't actually see photos of the F600 consoles until just now. They are exactly what most of us are looking for! I really like that big space right in the middle for the speedometer. I'll remember the F600 idea and return to it when I'm ready to re-do that part of my truck.

Heviarti, thanks for the link to ISPRO. They seem to make a lot of gauges that have similar, straightforward looks to the VDO gauges. I like that style. My only concern there is whether or not they're USA made--some of the items in their catalog explicitly mention Made in USA, but the gauges I'd be interested in don't. I'll have to call and ask.

Thanks again for all the great advice! I have a lot of gauges to look at now.

-Robroy

[robroy]

Heviarti, thanks for the link to ISPRO. They seem to make a lot of gauges that have similar, straightforward looks to the VDO gauges. I like that style. My only concern there is whether or not they're USA made--some of the items in their catalog explicitly mention Made in USA, but the gauges I'd be interested in don't. I'll have to call and ask.

After looking through all the Isspro gauges and picking out some that I really liked, I called to get all the details on them. And guess where they are made? INDIA. Oh well.

So that narrows it down a little bit, but I'm back to scratch looking for gauges.

-Robroy

[MotorDog]

Here's what I believe to be the best looking setup for a "bump" that can be found. Ford Original F-700 from 1975....



What else could you want?

[67fordkc]

Here is a picture of my dash with dolphin gauges.

[MotorDog]

.........And, that is another Great Looking Dash!!!

[Tim P.]

Hi TD Im kinda confused as to why your so intent on having a vac gauge if the motor that was rebuilt has any performance applications in it the vac gauge wont be able to tell you any truth on its state of tune as a cam will change what is really going on as to vac readings,,, based on the factory readings for the vacumn on the FE. The average vac reading on a stock motor wont read much higher than 17-18 hg on any giving time and will read lower when you have your foot into it going down the road. A industry standard gauge reads from 5-30hg. On my truck when I hook up a vac gauge to it while its running it reads between 11 & 14 on the gauge and it moves back and fourth between that at idle because of the cam due to the valve overlap between intake and exhaust valve openings. when going down the road at a steady cruise mode the gauge will read more steady,, this might tell you that your at the best fuel effiency for your setup perhapes but you wont know what is normal for your setup until you run it for a time to see the average readings, from there you will know the norm and if something changes in the motor condition you'll see the change in vac reading from normal.

tim

[robroy]

Hi MotorDog, 67fordkc, and Tim, thanks for replying!

I finally went with the Teleflex Premier White gauges (made in Florida). $455 for the set.



I'm still in the market for the vacuum gauge though! Teleflex doesn't make one so I'll need to find one from another manufacturer.

I'll be sure to post detailed photos of the Teleflex gauges here once I have them installed! They have red, through-the-dial lighting.

Thanks very much for the superb replies!

Robroy