1978 NYB New Engine.....

Big_John · Nov 13, 2018

1978 NYB said:
I still have the factory temp gauge wired and working and I'm going to piggyback the SW electrical temp gauge off the same sending unit.

I got to thinking about this...

From what I've read, the SW sender uses a range of 240 ohms (cold) to 33.5 ohms (hot). The stock sender is 74-10 ohms.

That means it really won't work as it sits. It's possible that a Meter Match unit might work. TechnoVersions - MeterMatch for Analog Gauge Correction

You'd need some resistors or a decade box to set it up, but it could be done. We can figure this out if you need to do it.

1978 NYB · Nov 14, 2018

commando1 said:
As I.
I had a spare instrument panel on the shelf and I looked at it long and hard about converting it or even have Dakota Digital take a whack at it.
Converting the existing speedometer real estate was just way too involved. Probably more than the car was worth.

I have seen a couple of custom digital dashes and it seemed just that it had too many numbers on the dash and trying to figure out which gauge you are seeing digits for. I guess I'm an old fart with a hat that is spoiled with gauges with needles with a low and high range sweep.

1978 NYB · Nov 14, 2018

Big_John said:
I got to thinking about this...

From what I've read, the SW sender uses a range of 240 ohms (cold) to 33.5 ohms (hot). The stock sender is 74-10 ohms.

That means it really won't work as it sits. It's possible that a Meter Match unit might work. TechnoVersions - MeterMatch for Analog Gauge Correction

You'd need some resistors or a decade box to set it up, but it could be done. We can figure this out if you need to do it.

Thanks John, I'll see if I can add another sending unit somewhere. It's important to get an accurate water temp gauge.

1978 NYB · Nov 14, 2018

What do you guys think a normal temp operating range in degrees should be for a big block???

commando1 · Nov 14, 2018

It should operate at the same temperature as the thermostat, Bob.
I once read a TSB or Bulletin, or something, telling the techs in the mid 70's to replace the 195 with a 180.

73 T&C · Nov 14, 2018

It’s a hell of a deep rabbit hole your looking down into Bob.... and I walk around with a pocket watch, vest and top hat.....

I like the idea of putting the “auxiliary” gauges in the glovebox best for now.

I was thinking of adding trans temp and oil pressure guages instead of the chronometer as I already have a clock in the radio and it has a square hole. Would have to make the hole a bit bigger vertically but there is room. The idea being I get another guage cluster temp guage and re-lable them “TRANS TEMP” and “OIL PRESS” but it’s just a thought at the moment.... inspired by your Auxilary guages.

Not even a wild hair for now.

1978 NYB · Nov 14, 2018

73 T&C said:
It’s a hell of a deep rabbit hole your looking down into Bob.... and I walk around with a pocket watch, vest and top hat.....

I like the idea of putting the “auxiliary” gauges in the glovebox best for now.

I was thinking of adding trans temp and oil pressure guages instead of the chronometer as I already have a clock in the radio and it has a square hole. Would have to make the hole a bit bigger vertically but there is room. The idea being I get another guage cluster temp guage and re-lable them “TRANS TEMP” and “OIL PRESS” but it’s just a thought at the moment.... inspired by your Auxilary guages.

Not even a wild hair for now.

I may eventualiy move the axillary gauges possibly in the glove box.

cantflip · Nov 15, 2018

73 T&C said:
It’s a hell of a deep rabbit hole your looking down into Bob.... and I walk around with a pocket watch, vest and top hat.....

bajajoaquin · Nov 15, 2018

1978 NYB said:
GPS port.

commando1 said:
There is no decent solution for guages on a NYB.

Use a map? Ask for directions?

bajajoaquin · Nov 16, 2018

1978 NYB said:
I'm way past what the car is worth.....

Nobody ever says that about a new car when they drive it off the lot. Cars depreciate. What you're doing is spending the money you might have spent on a new(ish) car to upgrade the performance of a car you like to drive more like a modern car. That's going to be more expensive than just replacing wear items. It's also going to be worth less the moment you finish.

However, it will also have an expected life span of 50,000 miles, whereupon you will have gotten years of enjoyment out of those upgrades, and gotten use out of all that value.

The question isn't whether you've put more in the car than it's worth. It's whether the upgrades you're making are worth the money. It seems the answer is clearly "yes."

1978 NYB · Nov 16, 2018

I believe I'll be finished with everything tomorrow and I'll start to put some miles on it before the winter weather returns. We had over 2" of rain since the snowfall yesterday so the streets are dry and pretty clean.

The goal is to drive 200 miles this weekend and change the oil and filter.