Gauge adapters for the dash (clock opening)

84porsche9113.2 · 11:46 AM

I am thinking of installing a 52mm (2 1/16") air fuel meter in the dash. Problem is there is no where on the dash big enough to put the thing (I measured). Ideally I'd like the gauge in view of the other dash gauges and there is simply not enough space anywhere to mount it in view. I suppose I could install it in a bracket under the dash but clearance under there is limited and I don't want it to interefere with driving or be in the way of my legs. Also, if it is low under the dash, then it will not be near the general vicinity of the other informational dash gauges, where it should ideally be.

Therefore I'm thinking about removing the clock and replacing it with some type of adapter to allow the gauge to fit in the larger opening.

I am concerned how i will look though if I just fabricated or did a makeshift install...

Does anyone know of any source that makes "oem look" adapters for the clock hole in the dash that would allow someone to mount a smaller gauge in the hole??

Wil Ferch · 05:45 PM

Two ideas.

1.) get an old fuel level/oil gauge (same size as clock)...turn the instrument 90 degrees and you have a "window" on top and bottom. I'm told you can insert a 2 1/16" gauge guts inside to match up with the top window. I'll be trying that with a VDO voltmeter.

2.) Get a "Gauge blank" ( a DVD case cut to size works) and install a 2 1/16" gauge, 52 mm.... ( actually a 2 5/8" or 67 mm works better) and mount the gauge in the center.

There are posts on this and I'll try to come back and edit this one if I find any.

- Wil
EDIT---> VDO clock vs. Voltmeter

84porsche9113.2 · 06:36 PM

Will, thanks for the reply as well as the link to the previous thread. That was very helpful! Actually I just came up with the idea to use a non-working clock on my own after thinking about it for a day or so. But your suggestion to use a fuel/oil gauge is an even better idea because it won't have the knob in the middle.

I'm not sure how you would mount a dvd blank? Could you provide a little more detail?

By the way, for those that are interested, I know that a pvc duct cap (looks like a round, red plastic bowl about 1.25" high), fits absolutely perfectly in the hole (like it was made for it). I have a few of those -- but the only trouble is, it is red and not black... Also, the way it fits, the gauge would be recessed by about 1.25" or so. It seems like a very cheap and effective way to plug the hole or add a gauge...

Out of all the options I think I do prefer the fuel/oil gauge idea. Does any one know someone that has a used/non-working one for sale? Thanks in advanced.

TimT · 07-23-2007, 06:38 PM

There used to be an adapter available.. If I can clear the cobwebs... I believe VDO made it.. to adapt their regular gauges to the sort of odd ball Porsche opening..

Perhaps a search on ebay... I know for a fact one of pelicans competitors sold this adapter search a bit you might still find them

84porsche9113.2 · 07-23-2007, 06:52 PM

Wow Tim, that sounds even better.. And much easier than messing with a gauge. Could you disclose which competitor this was or since this is a pelican board you would rather not? haha. Maybe you can pm me the info if you know instead. I think it might be hard to find if it is a discountinued part, but for what it's worth, I'll try searching for one. Thanks for the info!

84porsche9113.2 · 07:13 PM

I quickly found the "competitor" you were talking about - they still sell these.

And concindentally, I also found that Pelican sells something called a "center console adapter ring".

Only problem the "competitor's" description says it is for mounting a 2 1/16" gauge in a 2 3/8" hole. And pelican's desrcription says it is for the center console.

I believe the clock hole is 3.5" and the gauge itself is about 3.25" in diameter (apparently the other .25" is taken up by the rubber gasket). From the description it seems like the adapter would be too small for the clock hole.... I'm not aware of any gauges that are only 2 3/8" as stated in the description... (I thought the clock and fuel/oil were the smallest gauges on the porsche dash - and they are 3.25"??)

Out of curiosity, if any one has used these adapter rings, could you let us know which gauges on the 911 they are made for? My car didn't come with the original center console, so I don't know what gauges if any should be in there and I currently don't have any gauges in my center console.... My center console only has 2 knobs to control the a/c... So is this adapter ring for cars without a/c and you have to remove the switches?? If so, that won't work because I need my a/c....

Wil Ferch · 07-24-2007, 07:14 AM

I said a "DVD CASE"...not the DVD. Cut it out as a circle of the right size and you have a matte black area into which you can mount a 2/16" ( 52mm) or even a 2 5/8" ( 67 mm) gauge.

- Wil

JeffreyNMemphis · 07-25-2007, 06:02 AM

I have an air craft manifold pressure gauge where my clock used to sit. The standard size 3 1/8 gauge fits snug with the rubber ring around it. You can probably get a dead gauge cheap on Ebay and gut it.

Formerly Steve Wilkinson · 07-25-2007, 06:09 AM

I bought a cheap ($8 or $9) LED truck clearance light at the local car-parts store--Advance--and mounted it in the clock hole as an oil-pressure-fail light for track use. The light itself is about 2.25 inches in diameter and comes with a black-rubber adapter ring that happens to be exactly the size of the clock hole. Don't see why you couldn't use it for a gauge instead.

84porsche9113.2 · 07-26-2007, 12:08 AM

Will, I did say DVD blank -- so I was talking about a dvd case (I meant a blank cut from a dvd case though my word choice was apparently poor). Nevermind, I saw your other posts and links to old threads. Now I get it.. Thanks for the clarification though!

By the way, other ideas if anyone is interested -- a tuna can is "almost" the same size, the gasket makes it too big for the hole. If you use rubber or electrical tape you could get a good size fit with a tuna can.

I think the slickest idea would still be to take apart an old clock. I think the reason why some solutions like the dvd case dont' look as "oem" is because it isn't recessed.

My thought was to fabricate a black round plastic plate for the smaller gauge, recess it in short cut piece of black pipe that fits the hole (to simulate the recessed gauge look), then put the metal bezel/glass from the original clock/gauge over that so it has a matching recessed/oem look....

Only problem is I tried taking my clock apart (need to pry the edges up) but it seems very difficult! Does any one know what kind of tool I should use? I tried using a jewler's screwdriver, regular screwdriver, knife, etc. The gap I need to get the tool into is very narrow and not very deep so there's nothing I have that seems to be able to get into there... Not to mention marking up the bezel in the process...

84porsche9113.2 · 07-26-2007, 12:46 AM

Well, since my new gauge arrives soon, I guess I am going to hole saw a 2 1/16" hole in the tuna can for now (not even going to bother painting it)-- and use it as a temporary holder for now. It will serve it's purpose, although hopefully it won't stay that way for long.

This should buy me a little time so I can figure out a way to get my clock open or make a more aesthetic looking gauge adapter that matches the other gauges in the dash...

As far as making an OEM style recess gauge -- I was also thinking that if I went with the idea of only taking the glass and bezel from the working clock I have now to use with other parts to make a gauge holder, I could always keep the working internals and put the clock back together later if I ever wanted the clock back in the dash. That way I wouldn't be destroying my clock, nor would I have to bother looking for or spending extra $ on used gauges...

Wil Ferch · 04:50 AM

Instead of a clock, you can use an old, non-functioning combo fuel level/oil gauge.Same diameter as clock. Same problem removing the bezel. I'm working on such a project now and yes...the bezel was a bear to remove. Everyone says to pry a small screwdriver in the gap between the bezel and the case, but my bezel was so tight against the case there was no room for even the thinnest of blades to be inserted in-between. It looks like a mess now. Luckily North Hollywood Speedometer sells the bezel ring separately but at $20 for this...this project is inching-up into serious $ territory, when all is said and done.

I will rotate the oil/fuel gauge 90 degrees so that the one functioning window will be on top. I'm using the guts of a 2 1/16" VDO Vision voltmeter and its gauge face, which should fit about perfectly. We'll see how it goes.

This should look *very* factory when done. See one of my linked posts where someone else did this but kept the window at 9 o'clock.

- Wil
EDIT:-- nice thing about this approach is that there is a bottom window that is not used and blanked off for now. If ever I want to add another gauge ( ammeter, trans temp, outside air temp, whatever)..the space is right there !!!

PCA7GGR · 07-26-2007, 07:55 AM

Three thoughts:

1. Instead of a 911 fuel/oil level gauge, use a 914 fuel/brake light gauge - same two windows but the guage is less in demand and not such a sacrifice. I see alot of these gauge at wap meets and Porsche salvage yards.
2. A place like Tap Plastics can cut a plastic disc with outside diameter of the clock (to fit the rubber gasket) and an inside hole to match the size of your desired gauge. They have several balck plastic with various textures/finishes and they are reanably priced.
3. (a bit off topic) I used two 914 fuel/brake guages to make the low oil pressure light pictured below:

84porsche9113.2 · 09:57 AM

Will, I too thought about purchasing the bezel separately. For $20 are you getting just the bezel or is it the bezel and the glass?? Did you successfully take apart the old gauge or did you have to resort to buying the part? My bezel seems to be like yours (pretty much impossible to get anything in there) and I am not even going to try unless someone can recommend a special tool to do it that would make it less work. I'm sure the speedo shops must have a better way of doing this? For $20 I just hope you can purchase the entire top portion (bezel and glass). Thanks for the info...

Well, as far as costs, a tuna can is probably the simplest, very sturdy, and cheapest thing you can use. I made the fit using rubber tape, and I'm going for the "recessed" look although it will be a bit deep. You can mount it the other way (with the botttom side out so it is more flush looking) but I think it might look better this way. Now all I have to do is drill a 2 1/16" hole. I'm sure if you paint it black it would match a little better too, though the silver does make it stand out a bit on the dash, and the concentric circles seem to give it a bit of an interesting "design"... haha.

Best part about this "temporary" solution is it 1) something that should be around the house and readily available, and 2) costs next to nothing to do and hardly takes any time to make. (I can't believe that a porsche clock plug costs $50 to $80! - saw that on a previous thread).

Difficult Multiple Choice Question: What is the below picture of? A) the newest, hi-tech gauge adapter & clock plug on the market for a porsche 911, B) a tuna can in a porsche dashboard, C) all of the above, or D) none of the above?

kplackmeyer · 07-26-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84porsche9113.2

Difficult Multiple Choice Question: What is the below picture of? A) the newest, hi-tech gauge adapter & clock plug on the market for a porsche 911, B) a tuna can in a porsche dashboard, C) all of the above, or D) none of the above?

E) Chicken of the Autobahn.

84porsche9113.2 · 07-26-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84porsche9113.2

Best part about this "temporary" solution is it 1) something that should be around the house and readily available, and 2) costs next to nothing to do and hardly takes any time to make.

Sorry, I forgot to mention one other benefit of this method: 3) you can also have a meal in the process.-- (I just got done making a tuna salad for lunch from the "contents" of last nights project...;

Wil Ferch · 07-26-2007, 05:45 PM

It's the price for the bezel ONLY (!) ....$20 from NHS and ( sit down!) $31 from Palo Alto Speedometer.

I didn't buy one, but I managed to get the old bezel off, but it looks awful. I'm guessing I can get it back on and still make it look presentable but I may end up buying the bezel if all else fails.

- Wil

84porsche9113.2 · 07-27-2007, 02:31 PM

Will, how long ago did you get the quote for the bezel at NHS? I contacted them just recently and they said they were not setup to do retail sales (i.e., they could not sell me just a bezel), but they would be able to take my clock apart for a fee (which was pretty reasonable).

I still don't get how they can take apart the clock so easily. There must be a trick or secret to it that allows them to do it quickly.

How many hours did it take you to get the bezel off? Divide $15 by the number of hours you took to take it apart and you arrive at your cost per hour to do the work. That's because you could've just as easily paid NHS around $15 to take it apart for you (not incl. shipping of course).

That's about the quote I was given at the time, but they did not agree to hold the pricing or anything, so it is apparently that quote is subject to change at any time...

fly4val · 07-27-2007, 04:55 PM

Hopefully, you dont have any felines in the house....or with access to the car...could get a bit nasty...

My ex father in law used to make center hubcaps from tuna or cat food cans for his Toyota p/u many years ago 'cause the stock ones fell off or were stolen....but that's another story....

fly4val · 07-27-2007, 04:57 PM

Last year, Palo Alto Speedo did a conversion for me on a pair of '36 Pontiac gauges ~5" for a future '32 Ford roadster project...yikes! thought they were gold plated!

NHS seems to be more flexible and less costly...just a thought...