Forgive me if this has been covered before, I'm still kinda new here.

My '84 Z28 (with a 350! ) has a set of gauges that I've never seen anywhere else, in a style which frankly boggles my fragile little mind. I've had some of my other car aficionado friends take a look at it, and no one seems to have ever even heard of gauges that look like them.

On the left, a large-diameter speedometer with two needles pointing away from each other from the same hub. On the left side, MPH going up; on the right, KPH going down. When the car is stopped the left needle is at the bottom, and the right needle is at the top. As you accelerate, they move in tandem clockwise.

On the right side of the gauge cluster is a large-diameter fuel gauge, likewise, Gallons on the left, liters on the right. When the tank is full, the left needle points upward, the right needle points downward. As you burn fuel, the pointers move counter-clockwise.

In the center, idiot lights for voltage, oil level, and water temp.

Has anyone ever heard of gauges like these? Why did they come on my car? I'd include pictures, but I'm about 300 miles from the vehicle at the moment, but if there's a demand for them, I'll be sure to post some.

If anyone can shed some light on this, I'll buy them a virtual beer!

 

yeah i'm not sure if i've ever seen those before, if you could post some pictures i might be able to help shed some light though

 

That's a perfectly normal 82-84 idiot light cluster.

 

And I assume the 350 was swapped in.

JamesC

 

I thought all 82-84s were like that. No?

 

Wulfgar: As soon as I get home, and it could be a couple days, I'll snap some pics and post them.

JamesC: Yes, at great expense (monetary and otherwise)

Nimrod: I've been looking to replace the gauge cluster with something the same size and shape, but with more gauges (especially a tach!) and less lights, and I haven't seen anything that even closely resembles my speedo or fuel gauge; nor have any of my friends. I haven't seen it on any other cars, either, although admittedly most of the third-gen camaros I've seen in person were '85 and later. Maybe you know something I don't?

Again, thanks all!

 

Like Apeiron said, 82 - 84 came with what you have (maybe depending engine size). You maybe able to swap out to 85 - 89 gauges, but I think youll have issues with your sensors, as they will most likely not give off an actual value. I myself have an aftermarket Autometer Monster Tach do to the common issues with the 90 - 92 tachs, and it looks good mounted on the lip above the AC controls. So if your hell bent, at least on a tach, that will work.

Theres also setups where ppl have put in the off-the-shelf 2 1/16" oil, volts, and temp gauges, and aftermarket tach and speedo directly into the dash. With a modified plastic backing of course. Ill post up if I can find some threads for you.

 

You can change the oil pressure and temperature switches for senders and just install a gauge cluster.

 

Will the 85 - 89 work for him?

 

Yes. Replace with a 145.

JamesC

 

Only the 85-87.... 88+ have different indicator light wiring.

 

Interesting. I've never heard anyone complain about turn signal issues in doing a swap.

JamesC

 

The turn signals are fine, but the brake light and SES lights are moved, there's no more choke light, and various other oddities.

 

Over the years, I've always recommended swapping the speedo head itself--if the original functioned as it should--rather than replacing the entire cluster so that no electrical gremlin would raise its ugly little head. I didn't, however, know about the wiring differences and their possible/probable adverse effects.

JamesC

 

Swapping the speedo head is best if you can, but if you're replacing idiot lights you need to swap the whole cluster.

 

I understand.

JamesC