Hello, I don't quite have my car yet but after the 25th of this month I will be a proud owner of a 77' Impala Wagon. It has the 350 4BLC and isn't quite mint condition. It needs interior work but has a new head, alternator, and water pump. I am concerned with two things tho. Its doesn't have a tachometer or a temp gauge from what I have noticed. The tack I know kinda what needs to be done but any ideas would be grand. As far as a temp gauge goes I have researched online endlessly to no avail. Any ideas? Is it even possible? I live in Arizona and 115 decree summer days make me worry. :confused: Is there a good way to tell if its overheating otherwise?
Idiot like in on and steam emitting from around the hood. Typically these cars only had the lights on the dash. If you are driving and the "engine" light comes on STOP driving immediately. You can install aftermarket gages for oil pressure and temp but those cars never had optional gage packages.
My Impala wagon came from the factory only with idiot lights, speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. When I got the car, I have installed mini Sunpro tach on the steering column and three gauge panel underneath the dash on the passenger side. I still have to connect oil pressure gauge but water temp, volt and tach are working just fine.
I was sent a really classy passenger side 'pod' setup pic, just yesterday. I did this to mine, but that really is a classy setup:
Yeah, that's a nice setup. My dash is not that square so it wouldn't work for me but totally doable for dashes from the 80s. For mine, I just bought cheap electrical 2" gauge panel. The tach I have installed is also mini so it looks alright on the steering column.
I wouldn't be without a Vacuum gauge ever again! You can even tune the car with it, much better than a timing light. Plus, it tells you what shape things are in real time, under the hood, and helps you watch your driving fuel efficiency (pedal meter). If the car doesn't offer one as an option, I won't buy it. That knocks off Hybrids and Electrical cars off my target list! Just think of all the payments I'll miss.
Interesting. I will have to look into adding one. I have no space left but I can probably figure something out.
Check this out! It's only for Fox-Fords (Fairmont, Mustangs, Zephyrs, Capris, 1982 Cougars, LTD II) but O Mamma! http://www.florida50.com/1979-1986-gauge-holders.htm Here's some info on vacuum gauges. This is my favourite, because it prints out perfectly for an owner's manual. Right-click the picture and 'Save Picture As...' then print after you 'Open' in MSPAINT or some other program, as Original Size. If you click the righthand corner combobox, you'll also see an article, explaining engine vacuum. There's better articles, but it's pretty good: http://www.efv8.org/site/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=43 Well written article here too: http://www.autospeed.com.au/cms/A_2393/article.html Also good, with a couple extra diagnostic displays: http://www.classictruckshop.com/clubs/earlyburbs/projects/vac/uum.htm This one does a great job too, and lets you see how they move when you click the 'scenario' buttons: http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/186.cfm This would be my second favourite to print, IF I could get a movie print. http://www.therangerstation.com/Magazine/Summer2003/VacuumLeaks.htm Also has one or two different and extra diag demos: http://www.earlycuda.org/tech/vacuum2.htm This doesn't have gauge visuals, but a nice quick-ref listing: http://www.cdxetextbook.com/toolsEquip/hpt/measuring/vacgauge.html And finally, Tuning with a vacuum gauge: http://classicinlines.com/Vacuum.asp Having it in the car makes things simple. You've got the Dwell meter hooked up, a wrench on the breather, a timing light inches from the fan, and your wife telling you lunch is ready! If you had the vacuum gauge fall down, the whole thing would stop cold. I figure it tells me more than an $800 ScanGauge computer, and hundreds more in sensors to install on an older ride.
Thanks for the links Stormin' Norman. I did print some of them and bookmarked them. Now onto Summit's website to order vacuum gauge
Tell them to send me a commission check! I got mine for $8.99 at a local farm implements vendor. Also handles a (future plans) Turbo Charger. It's worth sticking with a straight vacuum gauge though. This one is a bit TOO CHEAP. Off by one or two inches, but it does the job.
Sheesh, Jesse, sorry I hi-jacked the thread. Well, maybe not entirely, but sorry anyway. I don't recall what the interior of the 77 impala looks like, but the A pillar gauge pods might do the trick for you. All you'd need besides the gauge is the temp sender switch replacement, probably from a camaro or sport version of the same engine. The real question is why it's overheating in the first place? Any other symptoms?
I found one for $15 and another one for $33 that includes all the hardware (line and bezel). I will also have to check local parts store. I guess we totally stole the thread though we did stay on topic. Sorry Jesse.
I do not think that OP's car is overheating. He's just asking about preventive measures. I know that when I was about to install gauges, everybody just said to replace the idiot lights (otherwise I had to use tees or find another ports). I wanted to keep the light because the way I have gauges positioned, they are way on the other side (passenger) and I can't monitor them all the time. Plus even if the idiot light goes on when it is already overheated, it is better than nothing. Tach it is simple install, ground, 12V and one wire to the coil (negative port). If you have HEI or MSD the distributor should have TACH connector. Just make sure that you do not short (ground) the wire going to coil as that may kill the gauge. Water temp: I have used an adapter that mounts in the upper radiator hose. Not the cleanest solution but only temporary. Once I get the exhaust replaced, I will use the port in the heads. Volt: Couldn't be easier Oil pressure: There is port in the block by the distributor. You may need to put a tee there and move it out a bit to clear the distributor. It all depends if you are using mechanical or electrical gauges as the senders are different size. Hope that helps.
Good points! The Fairmont six gets really hot, even up here, and a lot of owners have switched to electric cooling fans. The same controls from a newer car can be adapted to prevent it. Heck the car could run stone cold almost. The gauges are the beast in the mix, though, as you point out. Where to put them?
