Does anybody have any pictures of Model A's with the gas tank still in the cowl and what kind of gauge panel they came up with? Also looking for column drop ideas. I would really like to use the stock gas gauge in the tank but use later accessory gauges. The car is a 29 roadster.
Using modern gauges in the original dash panel can be a problem as the newer gauges are too deep. Since you are going to use the tank for gas, you can't cut in to it behind the gauge panel to allow for the deeper gauges. I faced the same dilemma a little over twenty years ago. Here is how I was able to do what you described: I purchased a second tank/cowl top. It was no longer usable as a tank due to corrosion on the bottom. I cut the dash face off the tank. That was hung from the windshield lower valance with a couple screws, and then the trim reinstalled. It still looked like a stock model A dash, but I was able to cut it and install the longer gauges. I used a reproduction accessory panel over the stock panel, so I would have two extra gauge positions. I made a lower valance to hold the switches for lights, wipers etc. to the left of the column. It folded around and was screwed to the brace for the cowl lights. Hope this helps.
You can mount your gauges in the right hand cowl panel upholstery. You can use an "Aristocrat" aftermarket gauge panel (see EBAY). Available in original (steel) or reproduction (usually aluminum). Here is a picture of one for a round speedometer but they made them for the oval speedometer. I don't know how much space is available for modern gauges behind the panel but you might check it out. Then there is one or two gauge panels below the original dash or around the steering column. These are available from the Model A suppliers like Bratton's. Charlie Stephens
Ok, I totally didnt even think about cutting out another face and bolting it in in front of the existing dash face. that would allow me to put the deeper accessory gauges in and also might give me a good place to attach a factory looking column drop. The only problem is with the new dash face in front of the existing one, i wouldnt be able to use the stock gas gauge. I do have a second gas tank that has one of the seem welds split and is unusable so i have something to work with. My grandpa has a 32 dash in his model a and he carries around a paint stick to dip in the gas tank to check fuel level. sounds like that might be what i have to do.
I have seen these before but would need to modify it to make it work. do you know of anyone reproducing these in plain steel? The original steel ones are out of sight price wise
The Aristocrat dash mounts over the factory gauge panel, using the same screws. The one I had was aluminum and I had it chrome plated. Phil
For the gas gauge site, I put a repro trim in the outer dash and siliconed a jeweler's loupe to the back to make it easier to see the gauge behind in the original dash. Also added a small dash light back there to help see. You do have to bend and put your eye down there to see the gauge. See my photo above. Phil
I put a tank in the back and cut out behind the gauge panel. Used the old tank to hide all the wires. The gas gauge just fills the hole. If you are a talented welder you could recess the tank behind the panel
That's awesome that helps so much. I think I'm going to try and do this. How much room would you say is between the two dashes?
Two or three inches. If you pull the lower windshield valence you can visualize the distance. I had a model A restore guy look under there, to him the whole thing looked stock. Post photos when finished. Phil
I screwed the gauge panel to a board and used hole saws to bore the holes..then hogged out the tank area that was interfering.
I don't know of anyone making them in plain steel but you might try a post over on fordbarn with that question. New things are always coming out and I always feel like I am the last to know. CharlieStephens
I appreciate the input @tltony and @55styleliner but I am planning on using the gas tank in the cowl so cutting it isnt an option.
I will take a look this weekend when i get in the same zip code as the car haha. I think mine will have to mount a little differently than yours as the 28-29 roadsters used a skinnier dash rail with little to no flange along the bottom. But making up some sort of mount for it shouldn't be too difficult. I could mount it to the holes in the existing gas tank or maybe go to the tabs that the dash rail screws into.
In The Rodders Journal #73 there is a black 29 model a roadster pickup that has the aristocrat dash in it with the deeper gauges in it. It looks like he made some sort of spun aluminum spacer to go between the gauges and the dash panel that push the gauges out far enough to clear the tank. But there are no closeup pictures of the dash so it is hard to tell what is going on. Does anybody have any pictures of specifically that car or a similar setup? Or any ideas on how to make a decent looking spacer like that?
My tank was too rusty anyway when I got it,in 1958 an by 59,I had cut the bottom of it out for adding stuff. Over the years I added some an took some out,the stock "A" speed-O stayed. What I did may not help you,as my oil PSI is were the tank/gas was. I saw some just add the 3in1 panel below.
I know I'm updating this 7 years later but I was thinking about adding a tachometer to my car and looking at how people did it and came across this thread and then realized it was my own 7 year old thread! So I figured I'd update it because what the hell! I used the good ideas @pprather gave me with adding a second tank face to the car but put my own spin on it! I took a stock gauge panel and welded an approx. 1.5" wide band all the way around it to make it deeper but still retain the same shape and it still mounts in all the same holes. Although for the top I had to get screws that were 1.5"s longer. For the stock gas gauge I took an old accessory gauge and cut all the guts out and just stuck the lens and the bezel in the hole. Now you look through the lens to see the stock gauge. I drove it that way for about a year before I decided 4 gauges wasn't enough so I took a second gauge panel. Flipped it upside down. Gave it the same deepening treatment and bolted it to the bottom giving me a nice shape for 3 more accessory gauges. Here is how it looks today. I'm still undecided on if I will add a tach and where it will go.
I don’t know is a cable which can mate a Muncie m-20/283 to the factory speedo. I suspect it wouldn’t live long with the V-8. Not that I speed in excess of the posted limits.
Not a fan if gauge clutter.. warning lights for temp and charge. GPS Speedo. Stock fuel gauge. Switch is for lights
@Robert Pierce , I put over a 100k miles on the rebuilt Model A speedo in my rod with no problem. I only pegged it at 85 mph a couple times. If you can determine a good cable length, @e1956v can ***emble a cable to adapt your trans to your speedo. I hope this helps.
The Jalopy Journal
