The original instrumentation found on the classic Ford cars we love can leave a lot to be desired. A tachometer was almost never included. Even a Boss 302 wasn't equipped with a factory tach as standard equipment. It had to be ordered extra.
Here's the basic gauge arrangement...
Here's the basic gauge arrangement in the '65 Mustang. The sweep-style speedometer was borrowed from the Falcon. It's a nice-looking setup, but besides the fuel level, it only has a temperature gauge with no numeric values. Other vital functions for the engine and electrical systems are on indicator lights.
In a '65 Mustang GT or any...
In a '65 Mustang GT or any '66 Mustang, the car had a five-hole bezel like this one. While a big improvement over the Falcon sweep-style speedo bezel, it still didn't allow for a factory tachometer. Gauges in this instrument panel didn't have numeric values either. This five-hole bezel is in a '65 Mercury Comet, and although it looks similar to the Mustang piece, it is not identical.
The idiot lights that were ubiquitous on many cars from the Total Performance years were found in abundance on Ford vehicles. The factory figured warning lights were the way to go for drivers too interested in conversation or the radio to check on gauges. The average motorist wasn't likely to make a habit of regularly checking instrumentation, but once the red lights came on, the driver couldn't possibly miss them.
The big drawback with warning lights is that the problem is already fully developed when they come on. There's no chance for the driver to see an emerging pattern or tendency. This is why more expensive cars don't have only a warning light for engine temperature. With a gauge, you can see the problem coming, and it might be possible to avoid some serious damage in the event of overheating. The gauge could mean the difference between a replaced thermostat and a replaced engine. Likewise, it's nice to be informed of a developing trend towards low or erratic oil pressure instead of just being told that there is no pressure.
It's easy to understand why additional instrumentation is needed, and there are a lot of different options available when it comes to gauge upgrades. According to your budget and needs, you can keep it simple and inexpensive or go all out with full instrumentation for every vital function. Let's look at some of the choices for upgrading the instrumentation on a classic Ford.
To rectify the fact that the...
To rectify the fact that the Mustang had no factory tach available, Ford introduced the Rally-Pac gauge set. It featured a 0-6,000-rpm tachometer and clock. K-code Mustangs got a 0-8,000-rpm tach. The Rally-Pac could be ordered from the factory, dealer-installed, or purchased over the counter. It was a fairly good solution and certainly better than nothing. The small diameter tach face was often hidden behind a steering wheel spoke and was difficult to see, and the Rally-Pac didn't help those with a column shift mechanism. The 6,000-rpm version is available at most Mustang vendors. Dallas Mustang offers it for $434.99 and the 8,000-rpm model for $469.
This Sun Super Tach tachometer...
This Sun Super Tach tachometer is over 20 years old and was a popular unit back in the musclecar days of the '60s and '70s. They have a smooth movement, look great, and if mounted right behind the steering wheel on the column, they are easy to see. You can still get one of these from Summit Racing for less than $50.
The modern version of this...
The modern version of this instrument is the Sun Pro Super Tach III. Equipped with a shift light and all adjustments on the face, this tach is easy to use at the racetrack. It's $74.95 at Summit.
Another maker of precision...
Another maker of precision instrumentation is Auto Meter. They have many different series of gauges for every conceivable automotive-related function. This good-looking array of Auto Meter instruments is the Cobalt Series.
If your installation is a...
If your installation is a simple one like this flat dashboard, you don't need any mounting hardware or fasteners. All that was required for the beautiful gauge installation on this Cobra were the correct size openings.
In cars like a classic Mustang,...
In cars like a classic Mustang, you'll often need some sort of external mounting device. This compact electric gauge setup from Auto Meter includes oil-pressure and water-temperature gauges. The small instrument panel or bezel allows a tight installation underneath the radio and heater controls on our '69 Mustang. The oil-pressure gauge costs $55.88, and the water-temperature gauge is $41.88. The bezel gauge panel costs $12.88.
The gauges are installed into...
The gauges are installed into the panel and the wiring is nearly complete. The water and oil readings are the most important on your car and should be attended to first.
Here's the completed installation,...
Here's the completed installation, cleaned up and looking cool. It's a perfect fit all the way down to the carpeting. We never could have gotten away with this installation with the larger gauges.
Another popular option for...
Another popular option for gauge upgrades on classic Mustangs is this Shelby-style instrument pod. Used on the early GT-350s, the pod put a tachometer and one other gauge in the driver's line of sight for easy viewing. We got ours at National Parts Depot for $60.