Why are the dash instruments in my Avanti dying...?

[edpjr]

Thanks to everybody that has offered technical advice and suggestions. I actually have an entire '64 Lark Daytona dash that has a factory tach. I got it from a junker, and intended to sell the whole thing since it's a rarity.. Wonder if it's worth trying that sender on my Avanti?? My current electrical configuration typically charges between 13.8 and 14.2 amps on an external meter. And my car's amp gauge is mostly steady.

[StudeRich]

That would be VOLTS, right?

It is a bit high.

[edpjr]

Correct! Leave it to an engineer (non-electrical) to mix up flowrate versus pressure.

That would be VOLTS, right?

It is a bit high.

[edpjr]

Just made another "startling" discovery. After searching a picture of an original Avanti gas gauge, I find that mine is NOT original. It must've been replaced somewhere along the line with an aftermarket type. I wondered why it had a white bulb and white needle. Yecch!

[Gunslinger]

If you have an aftermarket gas gauge, it could have the impedance mismatched with the sending unit. In that case it will not operate properly.

[JDP]

Just made another "startling" discovery. After searching a picture of an original Avanti gas gauge, I find that mine is NOT original. It must've been replaced somewhere along the line with an aftermarket type. I wondered why it had a white bulb and white needle. Yecch!

The Avanti I'm working in now has a after marker gauge too, but it works fine, and I painted the needle to match. I'd bet about half the Avanti's and GT's have at least one gauge replaced. (Gas,Temp or both) i.e. the GT Hawk on ebay has had both replaced over the years.

[edpjr]

Yes, I suppose dash gauges have a perfect right to tire out after 47 1/2 years. And, as you alluded to earlier, I don't see how one can keep all water out of an Avanti short of hermetically sealing it. Fortunately, I have located and procured an original NOS Avanti gas gauge. Naturally, it wasn't cheap. Now I guess I'll be calling Mr. Myer up for a new Tach sender. Replacing that piece doesn't look too bad. But, it looks like the oil pressure gauge has to come out to access the gas gauge. Egad.

The Avanti I'm working in now has a after marker gauge too, but it works fine, and I painted the needle to match. I'd bet about half the Avanti's and GT's have at least one gauge replaced. (Gas,Temp or both) i.e. the GT Hawk on ebay has had both replaced over the years.

[Gunslinger]

Just a thought...if you have to remove the oil pressure gauge anyway, take a good, hard look at the oil tube. Since it's a direct acting gauge, not electrical, if it fails due to age fatigue, rubbing up against something, etc., the least it will cause is a nice mess inside the car. If that tube is going bad, replace it now while it's already disconnected. Just a suggestion.

[edpjr]

Good advice indeed. That would be great having 60 psi oil squirting into the car, or even spraying outside till the motor runs low of oil.

Just a thought...if you have to remove the oil pressure gauge anyway, take a good, hard look at the oil tube. Since it's a direct acting gauge, not electrical, if it fails due to age fatigue, rubbing up against something, etc., the least it will cause is a nice mess inside the car. If that tube is going bad, replace it now while it's already disconnected. Just a suggestion.

[N8N]

Good advice indeed. That would be great having 60 psi oil squirting into the car, or even spraying outside till the motor runs low of oil.

The usual failure is the rubber hose between the pass side head and the copper tube; when that fails you know it because a good portion of the oil blows up onto the windshield

I consider that a "replace automatically" item on any Stude that I want to turn into a driver, unless it's clearly been recently replaced.

nate