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.
We've decided to go with an...
We've decided to go with an Auto Meter Sport Comp 331/48-inch diameter tachometer (PN 3991). The owner already has other Sport Comp gauges in the car, so this tachometer will match exactly. The tach can be found at Summit for $87.88.
This subject car is a '65...
This subject car is a '65 Mustang coupe equipped with a Paxton supercharger, so an Auto Meter boost gauge (PN 3301) was chosen for the secondary two-inch opening alongside the tach. The boost gauge costs $42.88.
The pod needs little preparation...
The pod needs little preparation beyond completing the two gauge openings. Here we carefully put a final shape to the holes with a coarse convex file.
After careful test fittings,...
After careful test fittings, the two instruments were successfully installed into the pod or housing. The furnished hardware retains the gauges in the housing.
The electrical connections...
The electrical connections for the tach and boost gauge were completed underhood and the wires brought through the firewall. A small opening in the dashpad was necessary for routing the wires into the pod. Everything will be hidden when complete.
After completing the electrical...
After completing the electrical connections, the pod was given a snug fit and the fasteners were installed.
Those of you looking for alternatives...
Those of you looking for alternatives to a factory speedometer are also in luck. There are many offered, and one of the best is this Auto Meter Pro Comp Ultra Light Speedometer. It features an odometer, trip odometer, and a 0-160-indicated speed range. It retails at Summit for $99.
Here's the completed Shelby-gauge...
Here's the completed Shelby-gauge pod installation. It looks slick and authentic, the gauges work perfectly, and the pod is a good texture match with a stock black dashpad.
Here, a complete array of...
Here, a complete array of Auto Meter gauges is shown in a '65 Mustang. They are set in a six-holed bezel from JME Enterprises. Now you can have your speedo and tach side by side in an early car. As this photo shows, this completely-new instrument panel looks good. Sometimes we wish the factory had done it this way to begin with. The instrument bezel alone costs $425.95 at JME, and one complete with gauges starts at $899.95.
Haneline offers the engine-turned...
Haneline offers the engine-turned look with this six-holed bezel filled with Haneline's own white-faced gauges. The panel itself is ABS plastic while the engine-turned insert is stainless steel.
Those with '67-'68 Mustangs...
Those with '67-'68 Mustangs haven't been left out. Here's the Haneline engine-turned instrument bezel and gauges for those cars. This panel is also valued at $180.
This '69 Mustang instrument...
This '69 Mustang instrument panel shows the standard instrument configuration. Once again, the factory tachometer is conspicuously absent.
Haneline also offers a compete...
Haneline also offers a compete line of gauges. This new Elite Speedometer has a digital odometer. A complete set of six Haneline Elite gauges with chrome bezels and white faces costs $399 with an additional $16 for gold bezels.
Here, a '69-'70-style cluster...
Here, a '69-'70-style cluster has been fitted with a complete set of Haneline gauges. It's a good-looking solution for cleaning up your instrument show as well as getting a tach into your car.
A factory tach has to be special-ordered...
A factory tach has to be special-ordered on '69-'70 Mustangs. For this impressive instrument panel, we started with a replacement factory tach cluster from Perogie. There's no guarantee that this instrument cluster will be in stock, but Perogie is famous for finding or stocking hard to find parts. These instruments were completely restored and installed by Redline Gauge Works. This restored instrument panel makes our Mustang the exact equivalent of a factory-tachometer car in both appearance and function. It's the way to go for the OE look.