I always liked the appearance of the stock gauge cluster in the Purple Pig, but the speedometer stopped working a while before I quit driving the car, the chrome on the surround was rusty, and the numerals were worn out. In short, it would have needed a total restoration and recalibration. The idea of a modern but retro-looking electric gauge was appealing, but the '49 Chevy has a unique gauge size; at 7 1/4 inches in diameter, and coupled with its recessed surround, sourcing a replacement that suited the theme of the car (Dakota Digital offers a digital gauge for these models) was proving next to impossible.
Haneline USA supplied one of their 5 in 1 Cluster Gauges and the unique aluminum ring that allows it to fit into the odd-sized '49 Chevy dash. They also sent the necessary oil, water, and fuel senders and associated hardware, plus the Pulse Generator (next to the gauge) that allows the electronic speedometer to work. The gauge is supplied with a wiring harness and multi-plug connector, so it can be easily removed from the dash if required.
Then I discovered the 5 in 1 Cluster Gauge by Haneline USA, and more importantly, the adapter ring they offer to fit a '49 Chevy. These gauges are available in white and black, but when I found they also come in cream, I was sold. The gauge is all-electric, meaning there's no speedometer cable to worry about, and comes with a harness and connector to enable easy hook up to an existing wiring harness. Having no cable means a pulse signal generator is required, but Haneline supplied one for our GM transmission, which will also work withmost Chryslers and even early Ford torque tube speedometer drives, as it is equipped with a 7/8-18 inch thread. GM computer-controlled transmissions require a signal translator, so speak to Haneline about your requirements if you're using a late 700-R4, 4L60E, or 4L80E. Ford owners will require a different hard-coupler, as well as a different pulse generator, also available from Haneline. It should be noted that if you use a pulse signal generator from another manufacturer, ensure it is an 8,000 pulse per mile unit or the speedometer won't work.
The water temperature and oil pressure senders are simple to fit and hook up, though the fuel tank sender has to be set up correctly, as the gauge uses a 240-33-ohm sender (supplied). Your tank may already have the correct sender, though my Aeromotive tank was supplied with a 0-90-ohm sender, which I had to replace.
The whole job was easily completed in a day, though I had to paint my dash before I could fit the gauge, as it's held in by the retaining bolts on the chrome dash trim. Once installed, the speedometer requires calibrating, though the comprehensive instructions explain how to do this. However, this needs to be done once the car is driveable, so that will have to wait a little while longer. Soon though, soon ...
