Smiths, Autometer or Kirkham

[Lew Ledyard]

What do folks think about the various gauge opitions available for 427s? The Smiths look the best and have that traditional styling. The Autometers were supposed to be a slight step up in quality (but I have heard mixed reviews), but they fall off of the mark as far as looks go. The Kirkham electronic gauges are supposed to be very accurate and high quality, but they don't have the Smiths look.

Any thoughts?

Also, I run a voltmeter on my 427 replica, but I heard somewhere that they ran Lucas ammeters and not Smiths voltmeters. Anyone else know of that?

[David Kirkham]

The original 427 cars ran Smith's gauges and a Lucas volt meter.

The Autometer gauges are now made in China...hence our now making our own gauges. When we were getting 2 out of 7 gauges failing/car, we decided that was twice as bad as the Smith's 1/7 bad gauges so we decided enough is enough and made our own.

Now, think about your $25,000 engine...is it really worth the "look" of the original gauges?

David

[Lew Ledyard]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

The original 427 cars ran Smith's gauges and a Lucas volt meter.

The Autometer gauges are now made in China...hence our now making our own gauges. When we were getting 2 out of 7 gauges failing/car, we decided that was twice as bad as the Smith's 1/7 bad gauges so we decided enough is enough and made our own.

Now, think about your $25,000 engine...is it really worth the "look" of the original gauges?

David

All aluminum bored and stroked 582 c.i. motor: $25,000
Fully assembled Kirkham roller : $49,999
Magnesium Halibrand wheels : unobtainable
The period look of Smiths gauges : PRICELESS!

[computerworks]

Originally Posted by David Kirkham

The original 427 cars ran Smith's gauges and a Lucas volt meter.

Actually, it was a Lucas ammeter.

[Tom Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Lew Ledyard

All aluminum bored and stroked 582 c.i. motor:

Lew do you have one of David's secret billet blocks?

[hot427cobra]

Lew,

When I originally took delivery of my car a few years ago, it had the Autometer gauges. Last summer I brought my car back to Kirkham's to have some work done on the car. All along from the beginning I wanted a fuel gauge to obviously know how much fuel was still in the tank. I was getting tired of keeping track of how many miles I had driven since the last time I filled it up. While they had my car I ended up having my gauges swapped out for the new Kirkham gauges because the fuel gauge is already built in. Besides the best thing I like about the new gauges is at night. They illuminate so nicely and are very easy to read. The Autometer gauges only have the small back lit bulbs that barely illuminates the numbers. It was well worth the extra money to have them changed out. You should see if the Kirkham's have a picture of the dash lit up at night. That might just convince you to change your mind.

Mark

[RedCSX1]

Mark,

How does the gas gauge work? Is it accurate? Wonder if it works on the CSX Cobra's?

[Jamo]

Morg...I'd love to see a full set of "KK" gauges in your CSX.

[xracerbob]

I prefer the Smiths gauges because I like to have something from England that needs fixing all the time for the true "British sports car" experience.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Actually, it was a Lucas ammeter.

Busted...I shouldn't post when I am tired!

David

[CHRIS DAMSCH]

I'm on my third bad gauge in my SPF. All of them are Smith's. This is there last chance with me. Even though I love the look, I'm not willing to keep wasting money on them.

I may be sporting Kirkham gauges in my spf one of these days.

[BigRed427]

The Autometer gas level gauge never worked from day one in my Hi-Tech produced CSX. I even replaced the tank sending unit and tested the gauge. I like the look of the Autometer, but the China thing is something to consider.

[RodKnock]

Originally Posted by RedCSX1

Mark,

How does the gas gauge work? Is it accurate? Wonder if it works on the CSX Cobra's?

Morgan, the fuel gauge is located in the speedo, right below the digital odometer reading. It's a little small square LED or LCD screen. The Kirkham's have a special website just for their gauges and there's a picture of the speedo all lit up. I'll try to find the link.

[RodKnock]

Here's the link to the Kirkham's gauges:

Kirkham Performance Gauges

[hot427cobra]

I am not 100% sure how the Kirkham fuel gauge works, what type of fuel sending unit is used in the tank, etc..... Perhaps we can get some feedback from David or Tom as to how it works and what is involved if someone was interested in changing out their gauges for the Kirkham gauges.

[hot427cobra]

RodKnock,

Thanks for the link. My post was a little slow, should have refreshed the screen.

Mark

[mpanten]

I have replaced my Temp gauge and the gas gauge on my smiths. The gas gauge was not broke I just needed another one that was compatible with my fuel cell. 200 bucks for the sending unit and the new gauge does not work either. Anyone need a gas gauge cheap?

[dynoroom]

Originally Posted by mpanten

I have replaced my Temp gauge and the gas gauge on my smiths. The gas gauge was not broke I just needed another one that was compatible with my fuel cell. 200 bucks for the sending unit and the new gauge does not work either. Anyone need a gas gauge cheap?

I use a cut off broom stick.......

[Madmiles442]

Timely thread as I'm looking for a replacement speedometer that's not as nervous and shaky as my dead Smith. The cable on my SPF broke where it enters the gauge and I'm using that as an excuse to replace the thing.

I've looked on Tom's website and can't see how the fuel gauge part works either, but love that feature because totally Full it reads 3/4 and at 1/4 it reads E.

[Tom Kirkham]

The fuel gage have we integrated into the speedometer can be used with any sender. The gage has a calibration menu so that gage can calibrate full and empty.