It's a fact that first-generation Mustangs came off the assembly line without a tachometer. Mustangs equipped with the optional Rally-Pac had a small sweep-style tach and clock, but the package was directly behind the steering wheel and difficult to see. The perfect solution for the Shelby GT350 Mustang was a teardrop-shaped pod, which attached to the dash above the radio. A large tach and one smaller gauge were placed directly where a busy driver could see them. It was an arrangement that worked well and looked good.
What's It Cost?
1 Shelby-style gauge pod: $60
Tach and boost gauge: $185
Total: $245
Our buddy Brian has a new Paxton supercharger on his car, but he still has no tachometer. Naturally, he was game when this story came up because the need to know what was going on under his hood was clearly there. A 2-inch-diameter boost gauge was chosen to go along with the 3-3/8-inch-diameter tach. We got our dash-mounted Shelby gauge pod from the Mustang parts experts at National Parts Depot. Brian had just bought his Auto Meter tach and boost gauges, so let's head out to his garage and look at what it took to get this cool instrumentation into the car--a '65 Mustang hardtop with a blown 289.
1 Here's our Shelby-style...
1 Here's our Shelby-style gauge pod we got at National PartsDepot. We stopped by the Ventura, California, outlet to pick it up. Ithas the same grain as the dashpad and is made of extremely toughmaterial.
2 This Auto Meter tachometer...
2 This Auto Meter tachometer is one of the Sport Comp series andit will perfectly match the other Auto Meter gauges that Brian alreadyhas. It's illuminated for night visibility and shows revs to 8,000 rpm.
3 This Auto Meter boost and...
3 This Auto Meter boost and vacuum gauge will be used instead ofan oil-pressure or temperature gauge. Brian has been interested inmonitoring his supercharger output as well as his rpm. This mechanicalboost and vacuum gauge is only 2 inches in diameter, and gets its signaldirectly from a hose to the engine.
4 The correct line to cut...
4 The correct line to cut is molded into the gauge-mounting areaat the top of the photo. It's about 1/8 inch away from the edge.
5 We originally cut the openings...
5 We originally cut the openings with a jigsaw, but the cutplastic melted closed behind the blade. We then drilled holes around thecircumference of the opening and removed the center portion.
6 Next, a rounded file was...
6 Next, a rounded file was used to smooth out the opening, beingcareful not to make the hole too large.
7 First the boost/vacuum...
7 First the boost/vacuum gauge was set into the pod. The gauge isdeep and goes most of the way back into the pod. It may interfere withthe existing dashpad, but we'll see.
8 Here the U-shaped retaining...
8 Here the U-shaped retaining bracket has been put into place,and thumbscrews now hold the gauge snug in the case.
9 Our 3-3/8-inch-diameter...
9 Our 3-3/8-inch-diameter Auto Meter tach is carefully seated intothe pod. We were careful to make it a snug fit.
10 Two separate brackets...
10 Two separate brackets retain the tachometer; here they aredriven tight. The pod is ready for the car.
11 Following the directions...
11 Following the directions exactly, we've brought our wiringfrom underhood into the dash area. We have power for the tach as well assignal, ground, and lighting. There is also a vacuum hose in place.
12 A preliminary fit of the...
12 A preliminary fit of the gauge pod onto the dash does indeedreveal some interference at the boost gauge. That, plus the need tobring our wiring out, led us to decide to cut the dashpad.
13 After careful measurement,...
13 After careful measurement, a small cutout was made and thefoam material behind it removed. This would both relieve the gaugeinterference at the pad and provide a passageway for the needed wiring.
14 Here the completed cutout...
14 Here the completed cutout job is seen with the wiring andvacuum hose through and ready to connect.
15 One more trial fit is...
15 One more trial fit is made, and everything fits withoutinterference. Here we're marking the dashpad to receive the pod mountingscrews.
16 All electrical and vacuum...
16 All electrical and vacuum connections were completed and thepod placed permanently into position. Here the mounting screws aredriven home.
17 Here's our completed installation....
17 Here's our completed installation. It's a great-lookingarrangement that will be easy to read while on the road. Shelby had itright the first time and we know Brian will appreciate being betterinformed about what's going on underhood.