I have a 64 Falcon and I've put up with those original instruments which have been causing me grief for years now. I've had two fix ups with them once by getting some kinder new fangled voltage controller installed and then again later had an auto electrician have ago at them. It is the fuel and temp that seem to be the main problem. Any of you Falcon guys out there know what I am going thru? Do any of you have any tricks to solve the problem all together. I am hoping for new ideas and a permanent fix.
several vendors sell original ****og instrument voltage regulators that work fine... new fangled and makerfits don't always do the job. try any Mustang vendor or Dearborn Cl***ics.
'62 rebel hit it on the head, but I'll add this. Make sure you didn't use any sort of Teflon tape or thread sealer on your senders for both, because they need a good ground to work.
I seem to remember that you need the instrument regulator for 64 cars as they used a generator,I may be wrong on this.64 was the last year for a generator and most every electrical part changed in 65. ROY.
I had the same problem. I had to make my own electrical pathway throughout the car. Its a pain to get under the dash. I should have rewired the entire car.
I'd even be happy to see any total dash swap outs that worked. I see some billet dash panels and sometimes feel tempted to get me one and use normal round style gauges. Anybody done this before???
my dash doesnt work at all tried everything send it away and come back good as gold and after maybe 25 miles it died again
Yep, that is my story exactly, real pain in the ***. I am just looking for real rock solid solutions that have worked and dont need revisiting.
Not familiar with this exact car but I'm ***uming that there is a bulkhead connector somewhere on the firewall where the underdash harness plugs into the underhood harness. Pull these connectors apart and inspect the terminals for any signs of corrosion or water intrusion. The bulkhead should have been weather sealed but it was probably never designed to stay that way for 40+ years. Is the wiring still essentially stock and intact? If there's been a lot of modifications and splicing done, go back and check the splices and properly repair and seal thigs back up as well as possible. For the fuel gauge, expose and inspect the wiring that runs to the sending unit from end to end. There may be damage concealed by the floor mats or carpeting or the sill plates depending on how the wiring is routed. This kind of stuff can make you nuts so take your time and be thorough.
Wire harness is stock in good condition. The issue appears to have a lot to do with the voltage drop setup to run the instruments at a different voltage to the 12 volt system. I had the dash panel in and out that many times a few years back I got the instrument panel portion of the harness lengthened and plugs install so it was easier to take it out and work on it, but still that did not solve the problem, just made it easier to access. There must be lots of others with Falcons out there that suffer the same pain!!!
We are having similar issues with my boy's 64 Ranchero, his gauges work, then they don't, then they do again. and everything except the gauges and the voltage drop resistor thing are new. We put a cluster out of a 66 Mustang in so we would have full gauges instead of idiot lights plus I think the round gauges look cooler so that eliminates the 64 generator v/s 65 alternator thing. We are going to put a set of new aftermarket gauges in behind the 66 Mustang bezel. Modern electronics and hopefully more accurate. Might look into that, cheaper then billet and not so street roddy. By the way the mustang cluster bolts right into a 64 Falcon dash with just a little t******* to the dash below the Speedo and looks like the factory did it.
The last time I had this issue in my slightly OT F250, it turned out to be a bad/missing ground. Once I found it and fixed it, my gauges were rock solid. Just my two cents.
Yes, you are correct about earthing, I did that a few repairs back but it seemed not to be the main problem. I leaning towards a full gauge swapout I think since the solutions for remaining stock are not out there. I'd like to see any pic's of instrument panel swapouts to get an idea how they turned out...
As metalman states a 66 Mustang panel looks good, is an easy fit, and allows for lots of gauge possibilities. Notch the bottom of the dash opening as circled in the pic and bend the bottom mount tabs slightly, also circled, with a pair of pliers and it installs and looks like the panel came that way.
My 63 2 dr sedan under the dash was a total disaster. Some worked some time some didn't. All never worked at the same time. Had, it looked like , about $30.00 worth of black tape on the harness. Never new when i had the right oil press. Instaled an e-z wire kit, front to back,after market gagues and waallaa, now every thing is like it should be.(done by Brian Morgan my wireing guru.) Well worth the money. Go to my album to see. Butch Evans Thomasville NC
I think you have the right idea . Check grounds at tank to frame (clean no rust or paint) at the engine to frame body to frame. and dash to body. An ohm meter may show a good ground at the point of measurement but in reality it's a long way from tank to dash. Take a peace of 10 gauge wire crimp and solder terminals on the ends clean to shinney metal and install a ground. do this at the gas tank sending unit ,motor to frame,body to frame and dash (instrument cluster)to body. It is a couple of dollars worth of parts and an hours time. Other than the voltage regulater there isen't much else. Good luck
The 64-65 Falcon shares the same dash structure as the 64-66 Mustang. A few holes are different to account for attaching different trims, but they are almost identical. You can convert a Falcon dash to a Mustang one by adding the steel upper supports for the Mustang dash pad and using the stang instrument panel and glovebox. Alternatively, you could also use an aluminum panel like the Shelby to hold aftermarket gauges or use a Shelby tach pod. Haneline and JME also make instrument panel bezels, but very $$$$. There was a 65 Falcon at Daytona that had all the 66 Mustang pieces. It looked pretty sharp..
I see this dash panel listed on ebay, would it work for starters. It says it is for a 64 65 66 FORD MUSTANG CUSTOM DASH GAUGE PANEL.
Fifty v8, That inst.panel should and will work. I have seen the same panel in 64-65 Falcons and Rancheros. You may have to do a little fiting but it will work. Butch Evans(Faconeer) Thomasville NC
Fifty v8, I should have added that it is a lot cheeper to make the gauge insert and use your inst. cluster than to by one. I have made about 5 or 6 for round body Falcons over the years and its a no brainer. Butch Evans(Falconeer) Thomasville NC Go Here to see Inst. Clusters: http://public.fotki.com/falconeer/
Fiftyv8, I should have added that it is a lot cheeper to make your own inst. cluster than to buy one. I have made 5-6 over the years for round body falcons. Make the gauge insert an use you inst. panel. It's realy a no brainer. Butch Evans(Falconeer) Thomasville NC Go here to see inst. clusters: http://public.fotki.com/falconeer
I just totally rewired my 63 Ranchero and did a complete instrument change with new jeweled or engine turned dash panel. If I could figure out how to post a pic, I would do so. It was not real hard and came out nice. Be happy to p*** on how I did it.
Here are 2 pictures of my guages and instert in my 63 Ranchero, pardon the missing screw and other items, just got it in and now finishing the wiring and install. I have the patterns if anyone is intrested.
Thanks Jud, for the pic's and info. Yes it sure looks nice. The external part of the dash , is it an original with the center cut out???
No problem, yes it is the original with the back cut out. That took a little more time because I had to fit the gauges so it was fit and cut, fit and trim. The jeweled piece is backed up by the same design, but in about 1/8 inch aluminum. Again, I have the cut out pattern if you want a copy of it. Jud 559-283-3734
Thanks Judd, what I will do is wait for the Mustang dash to turn up in the mail and see how I go. If I get stuck I will give you a call. Thanks for your offer and merry xmas to you and yours. Russ.
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