The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 1954 Chevy 3100 gauges

I’m in stage of the restore on the truck that I’m needing to decide what to do with my gauges. I would like to stay with the original style of the gauges. So no aftermarket different face/layout or digital. I will be changing the truck over to 12 volt and installing a V8. I have a gauge shop by me that quoted me a price to clean and test, reset the odometer and apply new numbers. Convert to 12 volt. Basically get the gauges ready for me to use in the truck. But the price is more than I was thinking. And I was thinking it’d be a little higher.

I see that I can get new gauges and use my old housings thru at least one of the catalogs that have parts for these trucks. One of them is Classic parts of America. The price would be significantly cheaper. But I wonder at the durability, fitment and quality of these Chinese gauges compared to having my old ones restored. If money was no option a rebuild would ne great but as many of you know at the end of the project the moneys getting thin.

I know there’s other places to restore the gauges, Facebook has several in the groups also. My faces are actually in pretty good shape so no need for decals. Trying to decide between the local guys high price on the restore or the cheaper new ones thru Classic. Any thoughts if you guys have used these aftermarket Chinese gauges would be great. Thanks.

Adam

With my recent experiences with brand new Chinese crap failing before you get it out of the box, I'll always opt to rebuild a good 70 year old American made part.

Instrument Services, Inc. Instrument, clock, gauge restoration
11765 Main Street Fuel tank sending unit rebuilding service
Roscoe, IL 61073
800.558.2674
http://clocksandgauges.com/

If they worked beforehand, refresh them. I second the idea of using made in USA/Canada stuff. It’s super old…yes, but it works and fits. If I were you, do some reading, research, ask on here, and see what you’re comfortable doing. Give it a try. I redid mine and was intimidated at first, but wouldn’t hesitate now to redo another set. You’ll be happy you did it yourself too. There are tech tips on how to do this in the Tech section.

If your transmission uses a cable to drive the speedometer and your original speedo is operational and readable the only thing needed to do is clean the face and replace the 6v bulbs with 12v ones. As for the gauge cluster, you can still use the mechanical oil and water temp as is. If you want to keep the amp meter it will work as is or do not connect it at all. Some members have replaced the amp meter with a voltmeter. (Use the Stovebolt search option) The fuel gauge can be used if you ad a resistor available from the usual vendors. The other option for 1954 gauges is to buy an NOS 12v fuel gauge from a 1960 to 1966 Chevy FFC B (flat face cowl cab, not complete trucks) They used the same design for their gauges and fit right in the 1954 cluster. They sometimes pop up on ebay.

I purchased 12v repop fuel gauge from Classic Parts. I also purchased speedo, temp and oil pressure gauges from them and have no complaints. Looks and function are fine.
An "all original" restoration wasn't my goal, so I don't disagree with previous posts.