Factory Vacumn Gauge Question

[Already Gone]

Could someone with a original factory vacumn gauge in their truck post a pic of where it comes through the firewall and where it is connected to the vacumn source on the motor. Thanks..
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[cdowns]

what type truck r u lookin for

1/2 and 3/4ton trucks there was no vac gauge as an option/// was only on large commercial type trucks

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by cdowns

what type truck r u lookin for

1/2 and 3/4ton trucks there was no vac gauge as an option/// was only on large commercial type trucks

Thanks, I thought I remembered reading that on here one time. I have a 72
C10 Long box with a 396 in it.

[WadmalawJoe]

Well, maybe someone will post how they set up their vacuum gauge anyway.
I want to add a tach, vacuum and a clock, but only have two holes to work with. So,I may have to pass on the cool old clock.

[Andy4639]

I would pass on the vacum gauge since it doesn't do anything for you other than look good. The gauge itself isn't made for the engine vacume like the newer styles that help with gas mileage. It was for the brakes on the bigger trucks. I would go with the clock myself.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I would pass on the vacum gauge since it doesn't do anything for you other than look good. The gauge itself isn't made for the engine vacume like the newer styles that help with gas mileage. It was for the brakes on the bigger trucks. I would go with the clock myself.

I bought a refurbished dash from a boardmember and it has all the gauges including the vacumn gauge and speedwarning. Unless I'm mistaken I thought there never was a factory clock option on 67/72's.
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[WadmalawJoe]

Any pictures Already Gone Greg? Gauge and connections?

[Ol Blue K20]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I would pass on the vacum gauge since it doesn't do anything for you other than look good. The gauge itself isn't made for the engine vacume like the newer styles that help with gas mileage. It was for the brakes on the bigger trucks. I would go with the clock myself.

vacuum is vacuum it doesn't help with mpg unless you know how to read it and drive accordingly.
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[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by WadmalawJoe

Any pictures Already Gone Greg? Gauge and connections?

The dash isn't installed yet but I can take some pics and post them if you like.
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[jocko]

Originally Posted by Andy4639

I would pass on the vacum gauge since it doesn't do anything for you other than look good. The gauge itself isn't made for the engine vacume like the newer styles that help with gas mileage. It was for the brakes on the bigger trucks. I would go with the clock myself.

Originally Posted by Ol Blue K20

vacuum is vacuum it doesn't help with mpg unless you know how to read it and drive accordingly.
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Hmm. Andy, I NEVER thought of that, excellent point. So, I'm wondering if the range of the gauge is different than the range of an engine vac gauge - i.e. is that why the brake vac gauge is kinda worthless? Seems if they covered the same approx. range of vac readings (and I don't know if they do) that it would still be somewhat useful (to Blue's point)...

Thoughts?

Hmm. My vac gauge may be up for sale soon! Quick, someone DELETE THIS THREAD!!! .... Just kidding, looking fwd to installing mine along with an 80 lb op gauge too. Lookin fwd to your install pics Greg!

[leddzepp]

Here is a pic of the factory hard line that was used. The left side connects to the back of the vacuum gauge. The right side connects to a vacuum source inside the engine compartment against the firewall. However you decide to route it, you need a hard line as a rubber line will collapse under vacuum.
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[Already Gone]

Thanks for the info and advice Leddzepp. Here are pics of my dash. It was hard not to get any reflections on the clear faces of the gauges.

[1972SUPERSB]

That is some nice gauges!
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[jocko]

that looks great greg, lookin fwd to seein it in the truck.

[Already Gone]

Originally Posted by jocko

that looks great greg, lookin fwd to seein it in the truck.

I'm looking forward to the work of installing it.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by Already Gone

I bought a refurbished dash from a boardmember and it has all the gauges including the vacumn gauge and speedwarning. Unless I'm mistaken I thought there never was a factory clock option on 67/72's.
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Never said the clock was a factory option. Just that it would serve more pupose than a vacum gauge out of a bigger truck.
The vacum gauge isn't a factory option either for the C-10 trucks. Only the bigger trucks with air brakes had them.

Ol Blue K20,
Yes vacume is vacume! Duh...If you can tell us how to read the gauge once it's installed then fine let us know how. My opinion is the clock would be a better choice.
Here is my old dash. Yes it's a factory speed warning, tach, with the clock installed. No vacume gauge!
It's sitting on the shelf now though since I bought my new dash.

[leddzepp]

Good luck Greg! Here is a pic of my dash. All original parts, except for the aftermarket woodgrain bezel.
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[leddzepp]

Back
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[leddzepp]

Andy is correct in that the vacuum gauge was not an option on C-10/30 trucks. The vacuum source is also tapped into the brake booster at the firewall on the larger trucks. The factory gauge also has hatch marks and numbers to read very easily. The numbers are standard, and end at 30, as does every vacuum gauge to my knowledge. It is very useful if it is actually hooked up rather than occupying space as an ornament (which in a lot of cases, it is). A clock is also a viable option, fills the empty space, and is very useful as well IMO.
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[Andy4639]

I wasn't trying to say the vacume gauge was worthless but I don't know of one person who honestly drives by that gauge. I have one in my new dash and in my 08 Tahoe and my wifes 2011 Trevearse and I never even look at them muchless try to drive by them.

Now as for the clock I use it everyday. The only reason I didn't go back with it is my radio has the clock in it so I didn't need two of them.
Here is the new dash with speed hut gauges installed. Yes the vacume gauge is functional. It's in the same location as the orignal vacume would be. I should have put a trans temperature gauge in that spot. It would be more usefull that's for sure.

[WadmalawJoe]

Andy, I think the old dash would look great in my truck instead of on your shelf! I even plan on painting my truck orange. You interested in selling it?
What is the toggle switch for, down below the ignition key area?

[BlackedOut67shorty]

They did have air pressure dashes for the air brakes too. In a way the vacuum gauge can be useful to get a truck tuned to have maximum vacuum. However a vacuum gauge tool would do the job a little better. Stock vacuum gauge can determine if your engine is not running with full vacuum, but I would use a vacuum gauge tool to determine its proper vacuum.
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[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by WadmalawJoe

Andy, I think the old dash would look great in my truck instead of on your shelf! I even plan on painting my truck orange. You interested in selling it?
What is the toggle switch for, down below the ignition key area?

That's the old torque converter switch for the 700 R4. It's down on the console now.

[WadmalawJoe]

Originally Posted by BlackedOut67shorty

They did have air pressure dashes for the air brakes too. In a way the vacuum gauge can be useful to get a truck tuned to have maximum vacuum. However a vacuum gauge tool would do the job a little better. Stock vacuum gauge can determine if your engine is not running with full vacuum, but I would use a vacuum gauge tool to determine its proper vacuum.
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Where did you get your vacuum gauge tool? I have been keeping an eye out for one but haven't found one yet. I think I have looked in 3 different auto part stores. I like to buy things locally, so that I am helping a local out and I can put my hand on whatever I am buying, but I may have to order this online.

[BlackedOut67shorty]

Originally Posted by WadmalawJoe

Where did you get your vacuum gauge tool? I have been keeping an eye out for one but haven't found one yet. I think I have looked in 3 different auto part stores. I like to buy things locally, so that I am helping a local out and I can put my hand on whatever I am buying, but I may have to order this online.

I believe my dad got one at habor freight but I'm not quite sure if autopart stores would have it( surprising)
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