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Bought a C65 gauge cluster

I started out using a very fragile bristle paint brush for like model cars. I think the key point is to keep the bristles clean, always blowing out the dust. I will say the lettering on these gauges seemed alittle tougher than some I've dealt with previously.
 
Yeah, I've wiped the lettering right off before on accident.

Martin
 
Yeah me too.

Okay guys first decision I need some input on. I didn't realize the oil pressure gauge in this tach cluster was mechanical. Now I like the 80lb oil pressure gauge, it just cool looking. But I'm not a real fan of having oil pressure piped into my gauge cluster and interior.

So what do you guys think 80lb mechanical or 60lb electric
 
60lb electric. You can get 80lb electrics, the diesels used them. have to use the right sender of course.
 
May just be the picture, but it looks to me like some of those gauges mount goofy compared to later. Have you considered using a newer housing?

If you need electric speedo, and won't use the lower left position, I'd suggest the '90-91 housing.
 
Oh I didn't know diesels ran 80lb oil pressure gauge. I'll have to look into finding one.

And the gauges aren't all bolted in, most are just sitting there. Might be why they look funny
 
I'm pretty sure that oil one is mounted "weird" compared to either the electric ones, or the later electric ones. As in they won't just be a bolt in. I'll see if I can find a pic. No luck finding one unfortunately.

If you run the 60PSI unit you probably get better resolution of the pressure reading, and if you are fuel injected you can get rid of one extra sensor, the CTS, by using a later combination Delco CTS/sender.
 
Yeah the mechanical gauge is a 3 bolt mount to the housing, the electric is 2. The mount pedestals are different lengths on one side too
 
Yeah I'm wanting to run an electric speedo later down the road but it'll be once I swap an 8.1L 4l80 combo in so I'll have the computer input.

Btw I'm not really going for a show quality truck, it's functional first then looks. I want all factory gauges so I know I'm going to have to mod the housing to get a second Temp gauge in there.
 
In that case probably a better idea to go with what you have now, just get your hands on a 90-91 cluster housing for your later swap. The second temp gauge is going to be tough on the later cluster, up to you whether you want the speedometer PCB "hanging out" the back of the cluster or enclosed as it is in the 90-91 housing. Don't really see a need to worry about covering it since there should be nothing metallic back there to short it.
 
Now that you mention that I was on LMC the other day looking at their gauge selection, they sell the DRAC module now and the speedo.
 
Stuff is still pretty easy to source, I've been paying $15-25 for complete clusters, I have yet to find a bad electronic speedometer.

Two most common sources of DRAC's for me have been these trucks, and the Astro's. Not sure what year span the Astros used them, but they were easy to find a few years back. Your going to need/want the wiring anyway, the R/V truck DRAC wiring particularly for the VSS to DRAC is likely the easiest for you to pull.

The connectors and what not tend to be pricey aftermarket, but depending on how in-depth you want to go electrically, I'm quite certain the VSS connector (for one) is going to be found at mouser.com, along with the terminals, etc.
 
Yeah I do have a 91 K5 with a 5.3 in it, so the drac wiring isn't really an issue, I'll just copy it. I'll just have to find another 90 91 cluster
 
I have no idea. The old man's 1976 C65 had no tach, but it has that warning light.

Martin
 
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