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i ve got a sbc in my 38 pu rod iwould like tt keep the origional dual gauges have them converted to 12v and have them compatable with the sbc senders.where can i get this done thank

You are pretty much there already. The Amp gauge does not care if it is 12v or 6v, The oil pressure and temperature is just a matter of finding the right fittings that won't leak and the gas gauge just needs a 12V to 6V reducer. Change out all the light bulbs with 12V and it is a done deal.

I had to have my temp gauge rebuilt with a longer tube. My 250 has the bulb mounted clear at the front and the old gauge would not reach that far.

The rest is easy to convert, and new gauge decal are available and easy to install.

Joe

It may be a silly question, but those of us that are installing newer engines, how do you get around, 70 plus psi of oil pressure and 70 plus amp alternator's?

GMC's in '37-'38 used a 60 psi oil gauge, it fits in the same opening, but the decal colors are different along with the numbers. If you are good with photo shop, it would be easy to make the right color decal for one.

You can also adapt a new 100 psi gauge to the old face plate. It wouldn't be that difficult to do if you are handy. E-bay all ways has old gauges for sale for these trucks if you want to save yours. 36-38 trucks and some cars used the them. I stuck new gauges in a '65 GTO dash, all it took was pulling the old ones out and finding new ones with the same sweep. I hot glued the old dial over the new ones.

By the way, I have been running mine over 11 years with the stock oil gauge and I know from testing the engine has 50 to 60 psi oil pressure. As long as the gauge is off zero, I don't worry about. With it hot out and 5-w-30 oil, it drops to 15-20 at idle, when its cold, its all ways pegged.

Amps shouldn't be a problem, you should never see full alt load at the gauge. My truck uses a standard GM alt. 40 or 50 maybe, and I have have never seen the gauge dial more then 1/8" off center. The only time you would ever spike the dial is a dead short.

Joe

I'm lucky in that a guage restoration shop is only 25 miles from my house and I've had D&M Restorations doing some work on and off for over 15 years.
So, I had him recalulate my oil pressure guage to where the actual pressure is double what the guage shows. So when it reads 15 its really 30 or reads 30 its really 60.
At the time I also had him check all the others and rework the speedometer so all guages are original...

BUT unless you want originals here is another option. I have forgotten the actual year but I believe there is several years where a 280Z guages will work. The different year of guages just have different color face/marks.
Here is a picture of one I got AFTER I found this out. The 37 guage bezel will fit over the "Z" guage and fit in like the original. The bezel goes on the Z guage tight so there is no worry.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/picsforphotobucket005.jpg



I have also "heard" that the Z speedometer will work to with very little work but I don't know what that is.

Just as a side note, the old Mercedes diesel cars back in the 80's had oil gauges in them that always pegged when driving down the road.
I recall one "bad" day when I was driving one and all of a sudden I felt the power going away - looked down at the gauge and the needle was slowly heading down. The car stopped, I pulled off of the road and oil was all over the side of the car. Raised the hood and the RUBBER oil line broke. Good bye Mercedes diesel engine!

If your gauges need refurbishing, there are several shops that do this. I believe Classic Instruments can also rework your gauges with their mechanisms and update everything.

Here is a really old posting, https://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=166615

I had forgotten about the "Z" gauges.

Joe

Do you have any other pics of your gauges, I would like to see the back of them

Sorry I do not have any but give me a day or two and maybe I can get in the attic and get a pic for you. Bear with me, I have not been feeling to "chipper" lately but I will get them.

thanks Achip no hurry but would just love to see the back on how they are attached. I had some Z gauges but no housing never could figure out how to make them work so I got ride of them

Is this what you need? The 37 bezel just snaps over the ridge on the Z guage.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/37Zguage002.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/37Zguage001.jpg

Sorry to be so late but I've been out of town and couldn't snap a picture till now.

Alvin

thanks Alvin thats what I was looking for,I think I sent you a pm back,