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MG MGB Technical - Extra gauges in 78 GT

hi, I'm considering installing extra gauges in my '78 GT, and wondered if anybody has ever removed the central air vents, and replaced them with a rectangular plate (with 3 x 52mm holes) - I think that a voltmeter, vacuum, and oil temp. gauges would be useful additions, and could easily be converted back to standard fresh air

best regards,
steve
s grainger

Steve
Why ?
I know someone who drag races a V8 GT who has done the same, made a good job too, but on a standard road car are the extra bells and whistles really necessary ?

Having said that, it shouldn't be too tricky to do, extra guages are easily available, and as you say, it's fairly easy to reverse if you sell the car.

Jason
Jay Smith

Jason, thanks for your comments, I've replaced the clock with a (more useful) voltmeter for now, while I ponder on extra gauges....
regds,
steve
s grainger

A vacuum gauge can teach you to drive more economically but still enjoy the car.

A voltmeter doesn't tell you any more than the ignition warning light except under very rare circumstances, and depending on how you connect it can make you think something is wrong when it isn't.

An oil temperature gauge won't tell you anything useful and is yet another gauge to worry about.

Most people worry about the oil pressure and temp gauges too much anyway as it is, which is why modern cars don't have an oil pressure gauge and the temp gauge is filtered through the ECU so the driver doesn't see the normal variations. It's questionable whether anyone would see a sudden change in a gauge immediately it happened, an audible alarm and warning light would be better, but some people even ignore those.
Paul Hunt 2

Steve,

a precise voltmeter might give you usefull information upon charging and battery, the Smith voltmeter does not relly help to indicate anything but switched on or off! Very expensive battery monitors are used on sail yachts and they are rally fine but do not fit into the opening of the vents.
An oil temperature gauge is a usefull add on to the dash if you know how to interpritate it's reading but an oil thermostate is a far better investment than the gauge.
The vac indicator is a funny toy for the first days until it becomes nerving.
I tried these little 'helpers' and can only adwise you to safe the money for more usefull add ons.

Ralph
Ralph

This thread was discussed between 21/07/2007 and 24/07/2007

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