The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1940-1946 dash cluster nightmare....

I read another post about someone having problems with their speedo, and it motivated me to want to fix my dash cluster...it has so many problems its almost comical. Any advice appreciated??

Speedo- needle bounces, and makes loud screeching noise (NOS cable, and I oiled it and it still has the loud screech and bounces a tad less but still obnoxiously loud)

Oil pressure- this gauge works but it randomly leaks ALOT of oil down the back of the dash and drips all over the place, (its a new copper line and I have tightened the crap out of it and still no success.)

Voltage- Voltage gauge used to work but now its stuck(on the positive side) this was an NOS guage too. SIDE NOTE: The generator is rebuilt, new points, and new dist but after I run it awhile or if i have to crank it alot to start it doesnt seem like it charges but its almost always drains the 6 volt battery, you go to start it after alot of cranking and it barely burps)

Gas- NOS guage + very clean looking used float ( I have a 1940 car & truck with the same problem)

Temp- this is the only gauge that doesnot have issues currently



Sorry about the tall repair order guys, but minds as well get it all fixed at once! thanks for the help

I will start off with the gas gauge. Here is how they work,

Power ( + ) comes from an ignition source in the fuse box and goes to one of the posts on the back of the fuel gauge.

( + ) runs through the fuel gauge and out the other post, through a wire headed to the fuel tank.

The wire from the gauge then goes to the center terminal on the fuel sending unit.

Voltage now runs through the sender seeking a ground source.

The main area to look for a problem is at the sender. One of the five mounting screws should have a ground wire on it. Do not use the tank as a ground, run a wire to the frame or back to the ( - ) side of the battery. Be sure the area is clean to bare metal at both ends of the wire.

Joe

Where were they originally grounded to from the factory? If my memory serves me correctly I do believe I installed my ground to the tank when I installed it, most likely

The fuel sending unit on my 41 grounds on the outer sending unit flange to the frame near the tank. The gauge needs to be hooked up correctly or you will cook it...the E side to power, and F side to fuel sending unit.

Your speedometer screeching issue may be a dry bushing. Check out the tech line for the location of the felt wick. You have to remove a very delicate brass soft plug to gain access to the felt wick to add oil. Be careful as it is easy to break.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/gauges/speedometer/index.html

Ammeter gauge sounds like it is good but you have charging issues. I am currently (pun intended) chasing gen/vr issues myself so I am not in a position to offer advice.

Oil pressure...is something stripped or cracked? If a 40 is the same as a 41, I may have a good used one you could have.

Temp gauge...one out of five...at least 20% are okay.

Paul