Hello,

I have an 83 Elcamino that I am redoing the interior on....including the gauges....The fuel sender in my tank is bad...and I can't drop the tank to replace it, becuase I have a custom tow bar installed under. (Would have to cut the bar off to drop the tank, or cut a 'zipper' into the bed to get access to the sender. It really doesn't matter to me...trip meter works just fine.

ANYWAY, I have a 1 1/2" gauge spot to fill, and last year I saw the perfect gauge. I can HIT myself for not buying it on the spot

It was a vacuum gauge that installs in the dash and shows when you are getting 'good, bad, and ok, milalge based on performance. It was a circular 1 1/2" gauge with like red, yellow and green on the sweeps.

I have tried Jegs and Summit, but they cater mostly to autometer...and Iknow it wasn't an autometer.

Thanks for the help!

Jimmy

I find it hard to believe that you are considering driving around without a functioning fuel guage.

Summit has the correct size gage your looking for I didn't notice that it had an economy meter on it. Originally the 76 models some had the Vacuum / Economy gauge only in 73~77 the gauges were about 5 or 6" in size and was beside the Speedometer on the dash panel.

I've seen lots of vacuum gauges, AutoMeter Makes some, VDO, etc.. most all of them make a Vacuum gauge. Autometer's are something like 2 1/16" gauges. Its difficult finding the right sized gauges that will fit into the factory gauge positions on the Elky, they're pretty small.

If you completely removed the Tank Straps and lowered the tank forward the welded in bar and slid it forward, couldn't you get it out that way? I'd cut that piece off the truck if I were you. Just because the El Camino is called a "Truck" doesn't mean you have to treat it that way. Most sport cars recommend you don't haul stuff around and no towing.

How many Corvettes have you seen pulling a boat or any trailer for that matter? Its just bad Karma! I need the gas gauge personally.

I find it hard to believe that you are considering driving around without a functioning fuel guage.

It's been that way since 90. It was my daily driver from 92-96. It's not rocket science...it's ~20 gallon tank, 15 MPG = 300 miles. I just used the trip meter. Since it's actaully 22 gallons, I always had about 30 miles leway.. It kinda gives it character :-)

Yes...summit has these which are the right size:
SUM-G3124 Universal, chrome plated, 1 1/2 in. diameter face, vacuum gauge Today $15.95
SUM-G3125 Universal, black finish, 1 1/2 in. diameter face, vacuum gauge Today $11.50

But I just found the gauge I want:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=ATM%2D2337

http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/atm-2337_w.jpg

BUT, I need it in 1 1/2 " Anyway seen it in 1 1/2" Those 5th gen elkys sure dont have a lot of room for gauges. I'm not a real big fan of the A-Piller pods either.

J

If you completely removed the Tank Straps and lowered the tank forward the welded in bar and slid it forward, couldn't you get it out that way? I'd cut that piece off the truck if I were you. Just because the El Camino is called a "Truck" doesn't mean you have to treat it that way. Most sport cars recommend you don't haul stuff around and no towing.



I acutally use it quite alot. I tow my Jetski with it, and we have a trailer that hauls out two ATVs. It the perfect summer camping rig.

I have though about doing it for years, but I never really though it was a big deal not having a gas gauge. I have a trip meter that I reset at the pump, and when i'm town cruisen, I just fill up at 200 miles...that is usually about 15 gallons.

Besides, it could be considered an anti-theft system....I gaurentee anyone who drives it without the mpg/capacity info will be up ****creek!

But yeah, that gauge about is the one (or just like it....but it was 1 1/2")

Thanks for the help.

Jimmy

I had an Volkswagon bug a long time ago without a gas guage or a tripmeter (that's the way they were made), but it did have a reserve. The reserve gave you about 1 gallon of gas but you had to reset the lever after you filled the tank.
To me having a working fuel guage is important, to some people having a 10000 watt stereo is more important than brakes. We all have our prorities.

I had an Volkswagon bug a long time ago without a gas guage or a tripmeter (that's the way they were made), but it did have a reserve. The reserve gave you about 1 gallon of gas but you had to reset the lever after you filled the tank.
To me having a working fuel guage is important, to some people having a 10000 watt stereo is more important than brakes. We all have our prorities.

I didn't know that about the Volkswagons....Maybe they only included those on the 'SS' models ;-)

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind having a gas gauge, it's just that it's not a priority as you mention. (however, I don't have a big stereo...and my brakes are good ;-)

I'm still looking, but size does come before anything else though...I would like to have the econmy gauge indicators...but, really, I know what they mean when it is at 5 and 20.

Jimmy

Joe, I regret that my being critical of your choices is upsetting to you. This is a forum--an exchange of ideas. When you initate a topic you're asking other forum members for information, ideas, experiences and opinions. You can pick the stuff you accept and discard whatever you don't like. When people have a strongly held opinion they could be critical of your contradictory idea--that's life. I happen to think a working fuel guage is more important than a vacumn guage (in fact I think a non-working fuel guage is more important than a working vacumn guage).
I'll give you two examples of things I did that many people on this forum disagree with: I changed the two headlight system on my '79 to a four headlight system and I have a rather large decal on my tailgate which is there because my 13 year old son thinks it cool. To those who disagree I say too bad, it's my Elky.
You don't need a fuel guage, that's cool, I just don't agree with you.

I am not sure I understand , How is a vacuum gauge going to help you?

Check out this site, http://www.centuryperformance.com/vacuum.asp It does a good job of explaining the value of a vacuum gauge. Jon

Yes, I am very familiar with the uses of a vacumn guage for tuning. The dashboard mounted vacumn guage is useless for tuning and diagnosis because it is too small and you can't see it when you're under the hood. I would consider an EGT guage, A/F guage, or transmission temp guage on my dashboard as useful or more useful than a vacumn guage but I don't have any of those either.
I'll say it again--if it's a choice between a vacumn guage and a fuel level guage, I'll choose the fuel guage.

I'll give you two examples of things I did that many people on this forum disagree with: I changed the two headlight system on my '79 to a four headlight system

Hey don't worry your not the only one, i changed mine to the four headlight setup on my '81.

Chris

I'll say it again--if it's a choice between a vacumn guage and a fuel level guage, I'll choose the fuel guage.

My fuel gauge doesn't work. No problem, I use the trip odometer as well. Not only do I know when the tanks empty, I know the MPG as well. And I'm thinking of hooking up a vacuum gauge. :eek:

Actually, my oil, water, and amp gauges don't work either. I just pop a scan tool on from time to time to see what's going on. I'll fix them eventually (maybe), but now, undoing the previous onwer's 'fixes' is a higher priority. He was from the the "we don't need this smog crap" old school of repairs. He killed performance, fuel economy and emissions.

I am not sure I understand , How is a vacuum gauge going to help you?

Well, I had one in a 60's chevelle and it actually helped with fuel milage in that I knew where the 'break points' were for acceleration....basicilly it was a visual reminder to keep my foot out of it.

Also, I have an extra whole to fill. Of all the gauges available in 1 1/2 size, I thought that a vacuum guage might help the most helpfull (based on my previous experiences with one)

Other guages I found in 1 1/2" like an anmeter gauge....really aren't too useful in my car (have a voltmeter)

So, I was just looking for a guage that might have some use that will fill a 1 1/2" hole.

Heck, I actually conteplated a PSI Gauge (hooked up to the air shocks) - I have an incab compressor for them, so it might be nice to know where the PSI was at.

Just things like that. If anyone could suggest a better 1 1/2" that exists, that would be good too. I have not actually found a 1 1/2" PSI guage that would work (Lots of the little round hand guages, but they have the inlet at the top, not the back.

Anyway, no hard feelings at all...just looking for advice on where to find 1 1/2" gauges besides:
Volt, Water, Oil pressure, AmpMeters

Jimmy

Try searching on http://www.mcmaster.com/

I find it hard to believe that you are considering driving around without a functioning fuel guage.

I've been driving mine now without a gauge for about a year. Never really need it. I also have done without a speedo for the same time as well.

A broken speedo I can understand--just stick your arm out the window and guess how fast the air is moving, I do it all the time. The non-working fuel level guage is another story. I'll guess that everyone who is so cavalier about not having a functioning fuel guage is a young fella. Now I'll admit to being an old fart who has run out of gas on more than one occasion. Yep I've been there, done that and don't want to do it no more.
By the way--if your speedo is kaput, your odometer is not working. How do you guess the amount of gas in your fuel tank?

I usually fill it every other day. You also get a kinda sixth sense in a way, that tells you "better top-off soon."
P.S. the only gauges that i have are temp and oil pressure (no idiot lights)
:D

I usually fill it every other day. You also get a kinda sixth sense in a way, that tells you "better top-off soon."
P.S. the only gauges that i have are temp and oil pressure (no idiot lights)
:D

HAHA, with that big block, i'll be you have to fill it everyother day ;-)

I know what you mean about the sixth sense...it's like you almost know where it is...I usually come with in a 1/2 gallon when 'guessing the amount' at the pump.

J

Well I didn't say how much it takes to fill it though. :D
But the BigBlock is so fun on the street. I mean, there are so many mustangs and import ricers that I love to shut down. Most think its still running a 283, but technically speaking it's a 72 camaro :cool:

just keep the jet ski full and a hose handy :lol: