Hi:  I have a 1956 Fairlane Club Sedan and I very much like the looks of my stock instruments (grey with brushed aluminum centers), but I dislike the idiot lights (Oil/Gen) and the non-numerical temp gauge.  So here's the question: has anyone figured out a way to convert the Oil/Gen/Temp gauges to specific-read gauges while maintaining the grey color and brushed aluminum centers?  I have an extra set of gauges, so I'm able to experiment.  On the other hand, I'm sure that this has been done successfully before by someone on this great forum who would hopefully share the technique with me.  Any and all suggestions will be welcomed and appreciated.  Many thanks, Ron.

I found a tach that was the right sizw (2-1/8"?) And put tbhat there. I then wired oil/temp/volt gauges on a panel under the dash that retracts/flips up at shows so no one can see it. Also have the facplate for an alpine stereo on same cluster.

As for the look, the tach I found id black w/ white markings and a chrome trim ring. Not an exact match, but after 4 years of shows nobody has ever noticed it, including guys w tbirds and fairlanes, etc....fwiw



I allso have seen some cos on web that will do custom gauge faces, but I've never contacted them about a tach etc

Ron Grove

Wauconda, IL

You'll probably be the first to do something like that on here. There are companies who can convert them. Classic Instruments is one, but plan on spending $2500 or so.


Lawrenceville, GA

I drove a 56 Ford 400,000 miles when it was just an old car, not a classic. I put a manual oil gauge where the clock goes. The temp gauge is normally at 12 o'clock and I didn't really care what the exact temp was and if the generator isn't charging, the lights will go dim in a hurry. I had a Sun tach mounted in a bullet shaped bezel on top of the dash next to the radio speaker. I didn't think it looked all that bad.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

That sounds like a nice set-up.  I was going to replace the clock to make room for the oil pressure gauge, also.  As to the tach, I've been thinking of a mount on the steering column.  Probably have to fabricate something out of aluminum stock to position it correctly, but shouldn't be too difficult (famous last words).  Unlike you, I'm a little paranoid about my engine temperature.  My gauge always runs past straight-up, usually settling in about 2/3s of the way to the right.  If it's a really hot day and I'm trying to inch my way out of a car show in a slow-moving line, it'll start inching over to the right some more and that's when I'd really like to monitor it more closely, something I just can't do with the stock gauge.  Ron

Had a '56 Victoria a long time back. Was actualy my first wifes car that she had when we got married. Come to think about it, the car was the best thing about her. Installed a '57 T-Bird tach drive distributor and put the T-Bird tach where the clock had been. Looked neat and worked great. Only problem was it only goes to 5,000 rpm. Had 292 with '57 312 4 barrel intake and carb. Had '56 heads on  it but still ran prety good. Had 3 on the floor and '60 T-Bird bucket seats. Wish I had that car back today in the shape it was in when I sold it in '68 or '69. Don't want the ex wife back though!

I had no idea there were tachs out there that would fit in the clock hole.  Now, how to find a vintage T-bird tach, and will 5k be tall enough?  Ron

Need to find one out of '57 T-Bird. Not going to be cheap. Prices were a lot cheaper in 1967-68.

I always had an oil gauge in the clock hole, but I had always thought of putting a water temp gauge in the the hole that has the idiot lights and then putting the idiot lights under the speedo to kind of match the turn indicators above the speedo. Back when I accepted challenges on country road quarter miles, I preferred to have the tach on the top of the dash. Mounting one on the steering column requires the driver to take his eyes off the road to look at the tach. And I still think the bullet shaped cups for Sun tachs look pretty cool on top of the dash. I see them on eBay all the time, but they ain't cheap.

Kenneth

Fredricksburg, Texas

I have a '56 Ford Vicky and have been studying this issue for awhile now. I have been looking at the Auto Meter Gauges (American Muscle) and the Classic Instrument (All American series) gauges. They are both very similar. I like the 5" speedo/tach combo and then use the 2-1/16 oil, temp, fuel, & Volt gauges. They are not exactly like the stock gauges but are close. I like the 5" speedo/tach combo. The Auto Meter speedo goes to 120 MPH and the Classic goes to 140 MPH. I think the 120 is plenty fast enough. Plus it will let the 60 MPH range be in the middle of the sweep range. Closer to what is stock and realistic... The sets are not cheap but they are cheaper than having your stock set rebuilt. Is it a Street Rod or a Concours d'elgance classic? I voted Street Rod for my ride. It is my ride after all... Good luck in your search.

KC Blue Oval