Hi Dave -

I bought the 12v fuel gauge for my '54 (converted to 12v) from The Truck Shop. The needle presses onto a shaft as you described. The gauge works OK. The needle on the reproduction gauge is flat instead of peaked down the center and the tip is more rounded than the original. None of the differences is noticible. I don't know of any aftermarket supplier that makes "bent needle" gauges like the original.
> CLICK - Truck Shop Fuel Gauges

The distance from the back of the dial to the front of the needle is a little greater than the original. Even though the gauge is thicker than the original, the needle does not rub on the glass or on the innner bezel of the cluster (although it is very close to the inner bezel and could rub in some installations.) It is slow to move to "F" when I fill up, but I don't think that it is caused by the needle rubbing on anything.

I tried to bend the dial a little to make it sit at the same level as the other gauges. Not successful in bending it / was afraid that I would break if I tried harder. When mounted, the dial does not look any closer to the inner bezel than the other gauges.

If you find a gauge that you like, you will still need to scuff and paint the dials and needles of all gauges and speedometer, then reface with decals available from most suppliers. Otherwise, the new gauge will not match the color or sheen of the old gauges.
> CLICK - '54 Refaced Gauges New gas and temp gauges.

Please let us know if you find a gauge with a bent needle like the original.

- Lonnie
My '54 3104
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lonniecook [at] aol [dot] com. I sold my '54 3104 12/12/2017, but I still visit Stovebolt.

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