question on 81 guage layout

FunBobby · 03-16-2012, 02:51:58 PM

Hey guys,

I have an 81 that has the large speedo on the left and large fuel guage on the right. Between them, and higher is a hole about the size of a quarter. I believe it's original, but I have no idea what would have been there. Whatever it was will likely go away, but I was hoping someone could tell me what would have been there. Thanks in advance!

moosey3000 · 03-16-2012, 03:04:40 PM

That is where the "Check Engine" light would be.

FunBobby · 03-16-2012, 03:12:08 PM

Ok, thanks! I had an 80 Z28 when I was 17 (a long time ago) and it obviously had a different layout. My goal is to "recreate" that car I had....so that check engine light may not survive the transformation!

B.M. · 03-16-2012, 03:45:00 PM

I have a gauge bezel from my 80 Z,the brown/bronze color is worn off in a few spots,but if your looking for one send me a pm and i'll get you some pics of it.

Skip Fix · 03-16-2012, 05:37:44 PM

Any input on plug and what colors are what for an 81 cluster?

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236738

B.M. · 03-16-2012, 06:50:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

Any input on plug and what colors are what for an 81 cluster?

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236738

From what i can tell on my 80,which should be the same as the 81,i traced out the wires as far as i could follow them,and it seems that the pin numbers listed in the electrical stickie section,all match up just the later cars have a few different colors of wire in the harness,but pins match up.I will know for sure sometime this weekend as i will be putting my new autometers in the car finally haha,anyway as long as everything works,i can then confirm whether they are the same or not.As for the big 12gauge brown wire,it should be for the oil pressure light,as long as you are referring to the wire in slot # 12 on the plug.

Skip Fix · 03-17-2012, 02:19:25 PM

You would just think you wouldn't need a 12ga oil gauge wire!

B.M. · 03-17-2012, 02:28:39 PM

Yeah,i really dont understand why they did it like that,the wire on the sending unit on the engine is not a 12 gauge,it's more like 16 gauge,so i'm not sure why it's bigger under the dash.

Skip Fix · 03-17-2012, 02:35:34 PM

I;ve got Autometers in a Covan I'm using. Be nice if the Painless harness had a plug you could just use the factory pins in!

B.M. · 03-17-2012, 08:45:11 PM

Yeah.i dont understand why nobody has ever came out with a gauge harness for aftermarket gauges that would plug right into the factory harness.I'm not sure what the painless harness comes with as far as a connector as i made my own harness,but they sell the 12 pin plugs on ebay and the male and female pins pretty cheap.I bought a 12 pin plug kit from jegs that was made by msd,only because jegs is local,it was expensive though,close to $26 or so,but it worked out great.I just clipped the wires on the factory plug,as i cut each 1 i put the new pin on and connected it in the same # on the new plug as what it was on the old one.

**77RS** · 03-17-2012, 10:02:41 PM

Welcome aboard Bobby! I see that you're from Greenville. I am originally from Liberty (Pickens County). I moved to Asheboro NC in '90. Just wanted to say hi and welcome to NastyZ28. I do complete gauge restoration, calibration, and repair for all 2nd Gen Camaro's. If you need any help just let me know.
Thanks! Daniel