1970 GT500 gauges

[tahart]

Where can I buy original style replacement gauges for the 2 round gauges in the console in a 1970 GT500? Mine don't appear original. Certainly don't match. Anybody change out the ammeter to a voltmeter or replace with a temp gauge?

Also, my gas gauge suddenly went inop.  What would be common causes of that to check?

[Royce Peterson]

The new reproduction fuel sending units are built poorly. They fail open usually after a brief period. The fix is a good original rebuilt and recalibrated by Bill Basore. Good luck finding a 1969 sending unit as they are one year only.

[Rickmustang]

Sending units are easy to test with an ohm meter. Hardest part is pulling it from the tank with gas in it.

[69 GT350 Vert]

Instrument Specialties has the exact artwork for the console gauges, and can apply the artwork to any functioning gauge.  They also have the correct charcoal color background.  You should probably call them and verify, but I think you could buy a pair of Branda Repro gauges and have them restored to look like originals by this company.  They restored my console gauges 10 years ago to look NOS. 

https://store.cobranda.com/19shcoga.html?viewfullsite=1

https://www.instrument-specialties.com/contact/

[jesSPR]

I have a set of excellent original Faria gauges that were restored by Phil Severance/Phidon.
$2600

[tahart]

I have no idea what the original gauges look like? The Branda gauges look very similar to the picture of the pair posted in this thread?

What are the Branda gauges missing?

I also have no clue where the fuel sending unit is located, or how to go about pulling it to check it? Any step by step would be greatly appreciated! Is there an easier way to test to see if the sending unit is the problem w/o pulling it? Maybe at the gauge?

[jesSPR]

The pics I posted are original. Besides the color, the chevron at the base of the needle has a rolled edge where the branda gauges dont.
Other than that I really dont know how the instrument specialties reprints faces look, so I cant be the judge of that.

[Bob Gaines]

I have no idea what the original gauges look like? The Branda gauges look very similar to the picture of the pair posted in this thread?

What are the Branda gauges missing?

I also have no clue where the fuel sending unit is located, or how to go about pulling it to check it? Any step by step would be greatly appreciated! Is there an easier way to test to see if the sending unit is the problem w/o pulling it? Maybe at the gauge?

Typically the Branda gauge face is black and the assemblyline originals are a very dark grey. I have not inspected what Branda is currently selling (within the last year or so).   It is easy to tell once you know what to look for. With testing the gas tank sender I am starting off with the assumption that your gauge in the car has worked in the past but now shows empty all of the time even with gas in the tank and ignition key on. The sender is in the gas tank .You have to get under the car and it is on the side of the tank facing the front of the car. It has a round face with a terminal and also a metal fuel tube. There is a single lead wire with a boot to the sender . Take the lead wire off of the terminal and with the ignition key in the on position you are ready to test. Take the sender wire/boot that you have taken off of the terminal and using a piece of wire a screw driver ,other tool etc. make a connection inside the sender wire boot. Connect the other side of your test wire ,tool etc. to a good ground of bare steel on the the gas tank, chassis etc. The gauge inside the car should read full tilt. That indicates the gauge is good but the sender is most likely bad.  If the gauge reads on empty still that means the gauge is bad or a bad connection to the gauge. This simple test helps with narrowing down the problem area. It is seldom that a gauge is bad and also the sender is bad. i hope this helps.

[shelbymann1970]

I have a set of excellent original Faria gauges that were restored by Phil Severance/Phidon.
$2600

your "50" is off compared to mine on the oil pressure. Mine are DEFINITELY original to my car. did they make more than 1 variation in 1969 or is that a resto mistake?

[Bob Gaines]

I have a set of excellent original Faria gauges that were restored by Phil Severance/Phidon.
$2600

your "50" is off compared to mine on the oil pressure. Mine are DEFINITELY original to my car. did they make more than 1 variation in 1969 or is that a resto mistake?

Gary all of the assemblyline dark gray face gauges I have seen have the "50" positioned like yours. The service replacement black face original gauges have the "50" positioned like the restored gauges in the previous post. Just another "tell" . Good eye Gary. 

[shelbymann1970]

I have a set of excellent original Faria gauges that were restored by Phil Severance/Phidon.
$2600

your "50" is off compared to mine on the oil pressure. Mine are DEFINITELY original to my car. did they make more than 1 variation in 1969 or is that a resto mistake?

Gary all of the assemblyline dark gray face gauges I have seen have the "50" positioned like yours. The service replacement black face original gauges have the "50" positioned like the restored gauges in the previous post. Just another "tell" . Good eye Gary.

Thanks. My pic doesn't show the Alt gauge good and only pic I have at work of them.

[tahart]

Tks for the photos. It appears that I do have the original "Alternator" gauge, but an older SW oil pressure gauge.

[Coralsnake]

The oil gauge you have was never used on Shelbys. It is part of the Stewart Warner deluxe line. It is different from the 1968 version of the Shelby gauge as well

[69 GT350 Vert]

Here are my original gauges restored by Instrument Specialties.  Branda's repro gauges look pretty close except they do not come with the original metal gauge backing cups, and they may not match up perfectly with the OEM electrical connections.  Also, the background looks too black, not charcoal.  I never noticed the difference of the 50 hash mark above the "5" instead of "0" before I read this thread today.  I learned something. 

[Kiwishelby]

Re the fuel gauge, I also have a 70 GT500 and mine stopped working, took the sender unit out and found the problem was in the float which had developed a small fracture, this caused the float to fill up with fuel so being weighted down would read empty, had the original repaired and all is good, hope this helps.