I'm getting ready to replace my SS gauge cluster (idiot lights) with the full SS gauge package (Tach/amp/clock/etc). I purchased a restored guage package with circuit board/housing/etc. I have also purchased a new wiring harness which will work for this new cluster.

Here is my question. I was told that all I need to do is plug in the connector from the harness into the back of the gauge cluster and everything would work ... Will I need to run any additional wires? For example, what about the wire for the tach ... do I need to run to the distributor or anything?

Or is this basically plug and play?

Thanks

I think it's going to depend on if you have both the engine harness AND dash harness. If you have both, then I'm pretty sure that it should be a plug and play. Which new harness do you have?

Everything is routed via the printed circuit board if I remember correctly. There should be a plug on the engine compartment side of the harness for the distributor/tach.

I dont know what kind of shape your idiot light harness was in, but they can easily be converted to work with the gauges. No worries though, it never hurts to have a brand spanking new harness!

Scot

I did not buy the engine wireing harness ... only for the interior.

Man I hope I dont have to mess with the engine harness. The car did not originally come with the tach so I dont know about the engine harness.

If I dont have the hookup in the engine compartment what does it take to get the tach working?

(PS I hate electrical!)

Thanks,

Dave

I believe it should just be a brown wire with a rubber gromet that would fit in the hole in the fire wall. I believe you hook the wire to the +side of the coil, but not sure.

Originally posted by tireburner396:
I believe it should just be a brown wire with a rubber gromet that would fit in the hole in the fire wall. I believe you hook the wire to the +side of the coil, but not sure. - side of coil

Found the wire on my harness .. you guys are a life saver!!!

Thanks!

Birddog -

I think you will have to change the sending unit for temperature on the block. The one on you engine now is problem just a simple light on-off. You will need a unit that has a variable output to display the proper temp. If you look at Ground-Up, they have them units with and without guages.

Since the 70 has a light on the oil pressure, that will remain the same.

the amp gauge will not work with out wiring change. a new lighting harness would fix the problem and look nice but you could rewire your harness

Okay, few more questions:

Temp gauge: I currently have an aftermarket temp gauge in the car which works (which I will pull out) you think I will still require a new temp sending unit? Also will this require some rewiring?

Amp Gauge: I was afraid of that (lol). So if I buy a Forward Lamp Harness (70 V8 w/SS gauges) that will take care of my Amp gauge issue? How hard is that to swap out?

Tach: Think I am good there

Clock: My original package did not come with one. Will I require an additional harness for the new one or does the new gauge harness I purchased take care of that

Thanks again .. me and electical just dont get along

Dave

temp- it depends on the sender if factory type it will work but some aftermarket gauges have sender/wiring all together. amp- lighting harness ang dash harness for gauges will make it work

Dave,

For the temp gauge, just go to the parts store and get a sending unit for the guages option. It's a post connector vs. the spade connector that the warning lights used. There's been some debate on which brand to use, but I used AC delco (I think)

I would think that your new harness would have a plug for the clock so you should be okay there. I dont have my wiring diagram in front of me, but I think the wire is orange with a spade connector.

Dont sweat the amp gauge...you should be able to run leads from the horn relay and the junction "box" behind the battery. One needs to be ran to pin #3 in the PCB connector, and the other runs to pin #4. Sorry, but I cant remember which is which. Do a search here at TC and if you cant find any info, I'll go out and pull the dash pad off my 70.

Scot

Since you already have the new dash harness you already have the connections to the gauge cluster, you will need a new engine/light harness or add the two wires described in this link.

http://www.azendrud.com/gauges/ .

Thanks all -- I did go ahead and buy a new engine light harness (for the price its a good deal). The wire's I have going to my parking lights are messed up so the new harness is needed anyway plus I figured it would look alot cleaner.

I appreciate all your help and the link above.

Dave

I believe the wires to your parking lights are not included in your engine harness, but in the forward lighting harness. (plugs into the left side of the fuse block)

Yes, I meant to say I just purchased the forward lighting harness for the 70 w/Gauges. Was told from OPG it has the wires for the Amp, Temp, Parking Lights, Headlights, Horn, and 1 more thing I believe.

Thanks all for your help.