This May Take Some Time For Part Searching.
J.T. - I am considering converting my non-gauge 1970 SS to full factory gauges. I have seen references on this site to magazine articles that describe this, but I have not seen a reference to the exact magazine and month/year. Do you need an entire instrument panel from another car in order to do this, or is it available on the aftermarket? Would a 1971 or 1972 panel also fit if I changed the tachometer to the correct one for my 396/350 engine? Is there a concern rewiring harnesses vs. printed circuit boards? In order to take the dash board out one time only, what other items should be replaced or modified? My car has air conditioning, so I assume there are some ducts and cables under there. Are center and side vents, chromed plastic, available?
J.E. - I have done this modification twice. If you are going from a standard SS dash, then the wiring change is fairly simple. A few wires move location in the PCB connector and two are added -tachometer and one for the amp gauge. You will need the wiring diagram. A/C vents are available. All you need from another car is a 70 gauge cluster. The 70 cluster has light green lettering, and the 71-2 has white lettering on the gauges. The going rate for these clusters is two to three hundred dollars.
J.S. - You will need a complete instrument panel, and they are not made aftermarket. I read that they can be rebuilt or refaced by a company, but I do not remember the name. The 1971 and 1972 panels will fit and work. There tachometer redline was either 5500 or 6500 depending on the motor. The wiring harness is different from the idiot light harness depending on the gauge type. You will either need to wire the gauges yourself or get another wiring harness. The harness from a 71 and 72 will not interchange. If your printed circuit board is good, then keep it intact. I understand they are expensive.
Archivist: Tom Wilson
[ Top Of Page | Archive | Team Chevelle ]