Speedo and fuel gauge replacement

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JAndrea

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I’m finding lots of info on bezel restoration, but very little on oe-style gauge replacement purchase options.

1969 Barracuda project car

Speedo
My gauge “ticks” (like a signal) and bounces like crazy. I replaced my Speedo cable with a new unit (also lubed the cable), thinking the square gauge end was warn, but no luck. It still ticks and bounces. So, I’m assuming the problem is in the Speedo head/gearing itself. I can’t find where to purchase a replacement oe gauge... help?

Fuel Gauge
My fuel gauge is totally dead.. doesn’t move. I have a new fuel tank, new sending unit (resistance checks out fine at various levels).. I have voltage all the way up to the instrument panel. At this point, I’m assuming the problem is in the fuel gauge itself. Can I purchase an oe replacement, if so where?

As you might imagine, I’m getting pretty good at estimating my fuel level after being on the road all summer, but my plan is to pull the cluster and restore it over the winter, so I’m looking for oe gauge replacements.

Thanks for any links, etc!
 
Rally or standard dash? I assume that it is a clip on style cable in a '69? Let me know what you've got. I have some parts kicking around.

My '72 had a pesky ground strap (strap jumps the rubber line) at the tank connection that caused me to lose my fuel gauge. Not sure if it is the same set-up on a '69? Then, there is the voltage limiter that the good folks on FABO seem to talk lots about. It seems to be the cause of a lot of fuel gauge issues.
 
There are no OE style gauges that I know of?? Fuel gauge on rally dash has IVR built inside. If your other gauges dont work I would assume the IVR is bad.
They can be opened up and "repaired"
For the speedometer and/or cable, if you've swapped the cable and still tucks, I bet it's the speedometer itself.
Shouldnt hear it over the 383 tho lol:steering:
 
Does your temp gauge work?

If so not the IVR

The speedo head can be removed to it's guts. Just be gentle.

I suspect you will find the outer spinny part is touching the part that is attached to your speedo needle.
Yes, they are all technical terms!

As for new parts, check classic, etc.

I see NOS guages on ebay for a reasonable price.
 
A speedometer shop can test and repair your head. Your fuel gauge needs further diagnosis to determine where the problem is. Guessing gets too expensive. When the cluster is on the bench, power up the printed circuit board and ground the sender side of fuel gauge. This should peg the gauge to full and eliminates any wiring issues. If this does not peg the gauge, then you have a bad gauge. There are people that can repair these or you can buy a used replacement.
 
Rally or standard dash? I assume that it is a clip on style cable in a '69? Let me know what you've got. I have some parts kicking around.

My '72 had a pesky ground strap (strap jumps the rubber line) at the tank connection that caused me to lose my fuel gauge. Not sure if it is the same set-up on a '69? Then, there is the voltage limiter that the good folks on FABO seem to talk lots about. It seems to be the cause of a lot of fuel gauge issues.
Update......My speedo is the old type with the screw on cable. I have an extra fuel gauge, unsure of condition so....as is.
 
I’m finding lots of info on bezel restoration, but very little on oe-style gauge replacement purchase options.

1969 Barracuda project car

Speedo
My gauge “ticks” (like a signal) and bounces like crazy. I replaced my Speedo cable with a new unit (also lubed the cable), thinking the square gauge end was warn, but no luck. It still ticks and bounces. So, I’m assuming the problem is in the Speedo head/gearing itself. I can’t find where to purchase a replacement oe gauge... help?

Fuel Gauge
My fuel gauge is totally dead.. doesn’t move. I have a new fuel tank, new sending unit (resistance checks out fine at various levels).. I have voltage all the way up to the instrument panel. At this point, I’m assuming the problem is in the fuel gauge itself. Can I purchase an oe replacement, if so where?

As you might imagine, I’m getting pretty good at estimating my fuel level after being on the road all summer, but my plan is to pull the cluster and restore it over the winter, so I’m looking for oe gauge replacements.

Thanks for any links, etc!



Here you go..

https://www.classicindustries.com/product/ma1548.html
 
Rally or standard dash? I assume that it is a clip on style cable in a '69? Let me know what you've got. I have some parts kicking around.

My '72 had a pesky ground strap (strap jumps the rubber line) at the tank connection that caused me to lose my fuel gauge. Not sure if it is the same set-up on a '69? Then, there is the voltage limiter that the good folks on FABO seem to talk lots about. It seems to be the cause of a lot of fuel gauge issues.

i have standard gauges and the clip-on Speedo cable.

And also, ive done lots of messing with the ground strap on the sender, including wiring it directly to the neg battery cable.

Yep, I do remember tell of the voltage limiter as well. I’ll keep that in mind.
 
Does your temp gauge work?

If so not the IVR

The speedo head can be removed to it's guts. Just be gentle.

I suspect you will find the outer spinny part is touching the part that is attached to your speedo needle.
Yes, they are all technical terms!

As for new parts, check classic, etc.

I see NOS guages on ebay for a reasonable price.

Thanks for the tips. The temp gauge does work... as well as the ammeter (which will be deleted over the winter).
 
You can temporally (1 to 2 seconds) short the sender wire at the sender or at the dash. Needle movement shows guages is functional
 
You can temporally (1 to 2 seconds) short the sender wire at the sender or at the dash. Needle movement shows guages is functional
Yep.. tried that a while back as installed, but will definitely try it once I get the gauges pulled to make sure it isn’t a wiring problem. Thanks.
 
You can also apply 3 volts directly to the guages while that are out. Also proves the guages are functional
 
A tick noise and needle bounce can be caused by the odometer too. The trip clock makes them more problematic. I've found the tenths wheel worn completely out in a few of them. Disable odometer and speedometer runs fine. You'll find the problem when you run it on a workbench. A good used 120 mph speedometer without trip clock will cost much less than restoring what you have.
 
A tick noise and needle bounce can be caused by the odometer too. The trip clock makes them more problematic. I've found the tenths wheel worn completely out in a few of them. Disable odometer and speedometer runs fine. You'll find the problem when you run it on a workbench. A good used 120 mph speedometer without trip clock will cost much less than restoring what you have.

Ahhh... thanks! Odometer is definitely stuck as well. I don’t think I have a trip clock/counter speedo though.

looking forward to digging in. Maybe this long weekend.
 
Gauges are all torn down, so I have an update on the Speedo..

Mine bounced and clicked. The Speedo needle would rise, then fall back to zero with each click. Today I found that the initial, rotating part that spins with the square end of the Speedo cable was fine, as well as the spinning nylon gear that runs perpendicular still spun anyway). But beyond that, everything seems seized. The clicking was the nylon gear teeth slipping over the seized gear teeth of the brass gear that leads to the rest of the odometer gears etc. Hence, the nylon teeth seem warn down. No solution yet... just found this out tonight, and I have to see how much of the Speedo head can be taken further apart, and what can be salvaged and/or replaced.

FD3B77A0-55E2-4EC4-A727-62BA911AD064.jpeg


66580449-B8CF-4DFF-BEFE-C6EBCB5DBDDF.jpeg


D32A9E2C-744A-4FC1-B660-C7D48A0D870F.jpeg
 
I’m finding lots of info on bezel restoration, but very little on oe-style gauge replacement purchase options.

1969 Barracuda project car

Speedo
My gauge “ticks” (like a signal) and bounces like crazy. I replaced my Speedo cable with a new unit (also lubed the cable), thinking the square gauge end was warn, but no luck. It still ticks and bounces. So, I’m assuming the problem is in the Speedo head/gearing itself. I can’t find where to purchase a replacement oe gauge... help?

Fuel Gauge
My fuel gauge is totally dead.. doesn’t move. I have a new fuel tank, new sending unit (resistance checks out fine at various levels).. I have voltage all the way up to the instrument panel. At this point, I’m assuming the problem is in the fuel gauge itself. Can I purchase an oe replacement, if so where?

As you might imagine, I’m getting pretty good at estimating my fuel level after being on the road all summer, but my plan is to pull the cluster and restore it over the winter, so I’m looking for oe gauge replacements.

Thanks for any links, etc!
About any 50 year old speedometer is going to need to be cleaned and lubricated. Even if you buy another speedo head, chances are it will need some kind of service.
I have had two vintage speedometer heads serviced by Deluxe Speedometer in Denver CO. I found them to have reasonable turn around time and honest pricing. I tend to do about all of my own restoration work, except painting, but I also have no problems having a specialist do the work on vintage speedometer heads.
 
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