Wheres the best and easiest way to run the temp gauge wire? Do I have to drill a hole in the firewall? Theres hardly any holes in the firewall to use. Its a 69 malibu and all it has is a dummy light. Thanks.

Well that dummy light goes through the firewall somewhere. :)

The dummy light wire will go through the firewall harness and it is grounded by the engine. You'll have to find another path. Use a grommet in the firewall to avoid shorting out the wire.

Chuck

It probably passes through the bulk head connector located directly above the drivers left foot on the fire wall. If you remove the left front inner fender its can be easily seen from there. My fenders are off here, see the orange wire, directly below that is the bulk head connector that runs all of your wires through the firewall. This is the safest way to run a wire through the firewall. You have a big connector on the engine side ( not seen here) that attaches to this bulk head connector.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v236/chas223/My%20Folder/439b.jpg

Actually, its a mechanical gauge I want to run right now till I get SS gauges. I guess Ill have to drill a hole for that or maybe go under the floor. This is just temporary because I have no idea how hot this engines getting. Any suggestions for that kind of line?

Actually, its a mechanical gauge I want to run right now till I get SS gauges. I guess Ill have to drill a hole for that or maybe go under the floor. This is just temporary because I have no idea how hot this engines getting. Any suggestions for that kind of line?No such thing as SS gauges. The gauge option, or special instrumentation, was available on any V8 sport coupe, convertible, or El Camino. The SS option didn't include the gauges and all SS cars with gauges had to order them like non-SS optioned cars did.

A mechanical gauge is going to require a bigger hole due to the fitting on the tube and I doubt there's a big enough hole in the firewall. I'd be very careful if going through the floor and routing the tube. It's a sealed unit and you have to avoid kinks in the tube and breaking it. Most mech. water temp gauges have 72-inch maximum tubing which may limit your routing possibilities as well.