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Posted

Neither the amp or temp gauge is working on my 40 special. What is the best way to get the gauge out ? Does it come out from the front? What is usually the problem with them? I can see the temp probe in the block. Thanks for any advice. Does anyone know the amp rating on the radio fuse? Nothing in the fuse holder.Thanks Roger

Posted

I have a 1940 56S and need to get back in there as well. As I understand it, you can either take the panel with the 3 pods out far enough to get to the nuts holding the amp/temp pod in, or try to get the nuts off as it sits with the panel on. I think there are 2 nuts to remove on the side pods. The panel is held in by 5 studs/nuts, 2 on ea side and one at center top (I think). You may have to drop the steering column some in any case, and it might be easier to move around there if you pull the steering wheel.

In any case not a fun job and I am not looking forward to it!

Cheers, Dave

Posted

Roger

Dave is right, in that it is not something to look forward to.

When I pulled my speedo, the first thing off was the steering wheel, then a thick pillow or big bath towel over the clutch and brake pedals. enter from the pass side and just roll into positon with your head above the pedals.

Lay a towel over the seat bench, and put every tool you think you will need on it, under where the steering wheel used to be. Don't forget the cell phone to call your wife in the house, 'cause you forgot a tool, or your stuck............

There are 3-4 nuts holding the cluster to the dash. Mine only had two, 'cause some troll had been in there before. 1/4" drive stuff here.

When you take the wires off anything, use 1" masking tape on the wires to mark where they go. Digital pic's are nice too.

The temp gage needs to come out of the head first, unless you plan on cutting the tube. Not a good idea..........

There are whole discussions as to how to get it out, with out trashing the thing.

Mike in Colorado

Guest Grant Magrath
Posted

I don't know...(shakes head slowly side to side). You Americans! What's with this "taking the steering wheel off"? Why not undo the gauge cluster nuts by removing the speaker grille to get the right one, and sit on the edge of the door and reach up to get the other one? :P (well, for a 39 anyway!)

Mike's right when he says a pillow on the pedals is the way to go. The temp gauge has a thin steel tube connecting to the bulb in the head. They contain ether. They can be repaired I believe. There are tips and techniques for getting the bulbs out, including removing the correct head bolt and having a go from behind. Be careful putting the repaired unit back in! An auto-electrician should be able to sort your ammeter.

Cheers

Grant

Posted

Mike - When I did some wiring work last summer I laid out a nice "bed," being especially careful to have a nice level from the hump over to the drivers door - I didn't want to mess up my back any further. By using a few thick blankets and some pillows it was actually pretty comfortable. But I could not get my head on top of the pedals without my nose being rammed into the underdash struts. Maybe my head is way too fat - at least that is what my friends say!! ;);)

Grant - I think there are 5 nuts on the panel on the '40, at least according to Doug Seybold. And he was the one that suggested lowering the column. The steering wheel idea was mine after I banged my head into it several times when I did the work last summer! ;) Actually, I was working towards getting the grill out but was stopped since on the '40 it is held on by 4 press-on nuts on the 4 large mount studs, and I was afraid of FUBARing something. I do agree it would make it a lot easier to get to the right side if I could figure out a Fail-Safe way to get the grill out. But we all remember what happened at the end of that movie, don't we? :rolleyes:

Cheers, Dave

Posted

Hey, Thanks everyone. I was afraid I would get these answers. No really easy way. I think I may install some under dash gauges for the time being so I can enjoy the car when the weather breaks. The radio is out and is missing its fuse. Wonder why? The clock is not wired up either, wires are taped although I have repair bills from when the car was restored 20 yrs ago. Only 250 miles on the odometer since then. Will try to post some pictures. Probably have to wait for the kids to stop by. Thanks Again, Roger

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