I swapped my Y-Block generator for a one wire alternator (12 V system). I swapped out the original dash guages for new technology original looking gauges and sending units.  Idiot lite (charge) is now a volt meter. Instructions say to wire one side of the voltmeter gauge to ground and the other side to the accessory side of the ignition switch. First, does it make a difference which side of the volt meter you ground and which side you hook to power? Second, if the only wire is from the accessory side of the ignition switch, how is it reading the voltage?

Darrell Howard Outlaw 56

Whitefish, MT

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's

The accessory side of the ignition switch will be hot when you turn the switch to 'ON' or 'ACC'.



The terminals on the gauge should be labeled + and -. Connect the + side to the accessory side of the ignition switch and the - side to ground.



If they are not labeled, connect one side to the + power source and the other to ground. If it reads to the + side of the gauge your good to go. If not reverse the connections.





Johnson Rod



Southern California

I would like to sound smarter than Rob but can't this time.  His answer is 100% on target.  Darrell nice to see a fellow F100 still running a Y.  Got any pictures of the truck??  Bing

Warsaw, IN

Bing, don't get used to it, it doesn't happen all that often...






Johnson Rod



Southern California

I do have some pics but the project came in the middle of my first 56 Ford F-100 restoration. That one has a 425 HP Windsor 351 with a lot of polish. IFS, four bar link rear suspension, disk brakes, IDIDIT Powering steering and still waiting to be put back together because the second truck fell in front of me. The second project truck was too good to be a parts truck so I have ended up trying to get it back on the road. It has the 256 which Y-Block which I thought was a 292. The guys here convinced me to give it a try before I swapped for a 292 so here we go. It was running when I got it, but the fly wheel was froze to the clutch and numerous owners had made modifications I have reversed. It came to me with two bucket seats mounted on a plywood base. Mounting hardware seat to base and base to floor was dry wall screws, if you can imagine.  I fell in love with the sound of the motor and have been working on it with a lot of help from the guys here. I hope to have it running mid summer and start the body work. That will let me get back to finishing my first one and still have one to show off. It will be satin black epoxy primer for a daily driver. Meanwhile, if I come across a good rebuildable 292, its got a place in my  shop. I may never get it installed, but I want to start collecting the parts for a nice 292 with all the right parts on it. Your F-100 looks great. What kind of exhaust do you have on it?  I replaced the crossover exhaust with a pair of John Mummert Rams and changed to a fourbarrell intake with an Edelbrock Thunder Series 500 and an MSD Electronic Ignition, and swapped the generator for a one wire GM Alternator.

Darrell Howard Whitefish, MT Outlaw 56 Ford F-100's