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!

[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?

[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.

[David Kirkham]

Originally Posted by computerworks

Actually, it was a Lucas ammeter.

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

David

[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?

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[Lew Ledyard]

If I wanted to install the Kirkham gauges, what is required? I currently have the Autometers.

Tom/David - sorry for the stupid "Priceless" line in my earlier post. I shouldn't post when I have the flu.

[Tom Kirkham]

Originally Posted by Lew Ledyard

If I wanted to install the Kirkham gauges, what is required? I currently have the Autometers.

Tom/David - sorry for the stupid "Priceless" line in my earlier post. I shouldn't post when I have the flu.

No offense here. I am just jealous of the all aluminum 582 FE.

To convert over and get a fuel level sender you will need to weld a bung to your tank. This is the most difficult part of the job.
You will also need to change out the Auto Meter senders for ours.
And then you will need to hook up the wires.

If you bring your car out for the track event I am sure we could take care of it here.

I hope you get feeling better.

[Don]

I am not an Engineer, the tests used by Formotion Products as mentioned on their web site, comments ? While not researched, anyone recall tests performed by other vendors ?


Gravel Bombardment Testing
Altitude Testing
Talladega On Track Testing
Vibration Simulation Testing
Weathering Testing
Solar Radiation Testing
Ramp Temperature Testing -40F to 140F
Mechanical Stress Testing

Fine Motorsport Instruments: Motorcycle & Automotive Clocks & Motorcycle and Automotive Thermometers - Motorcycle Handlebar Accessories

MotorSport magazine, published in the UK and available at Barnes & Noble etc, has had advertisements on replacement gauges and rebuilding services

[David-JBL]

Tom,

The Kirkham web site has Kirkham gauges and Brock Racing Enterprises gauges. What is the difference? Why put competing gauges on your web site.

David

[hot427cobra]

RodKnock,

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

Mark