Smith's Gauges

Tirebiter · #1 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 05:22 PM

I've found a complete set of Smith's gauges for my HiTech that look right to me but I'd love some input before buying them. Speedo and Tach each about 4.5 to 5 inch diameter chrome bezel, black face. Tach is electric and yellow zone begins at 5500rpm and redzone begins at 6000 (if I remember right). Speedo has integral odometer. Fuel gauge, ammeter, and combination oil pressure/water temp gauges are about 2 inches in diameter, black faces with chrome bezels.

Does that sound right to you experts out there?

Back in Black · #2 (**permalink**) 01-31-2002, 06:50 PM

I could not find a complete 9 piece set from Smiths, so:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is a new Autometer set, specifically for the 427 SC. Looks good and I hear the quality is high. Any comments?

http://www.hdrcoupe.com/html/AutoMeterGauges.html

Dave Samson · #3 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 01:59 AM

I have yet to see a bunch of reliable Smiths gauges, they just don't exist. You can't go wrong with Autometer.

Bob Putnam · #4 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 05:32 AM

The original Smith gages had 2 1/16" (small) and 3 7/8" (speedo and tach) case diameters. The tach had no redline and read to 8000 rpm. The repro's that we've used were the same, so I don't know the brand that you've found. Not all Smith gages are "equal". Are your small gages mechanical (original) or electric?

Whaler · #5 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 06:16 AM

Bob I tried to show these to you before on your thread...

Here's info from the link that was provided

"Standard 427 gauge set:
4" Tach 8,000 rpm
4" Speedo 0-180 mph Reverse Rotation
2" Mec. Oil Pressure 0-100 psi
2" Mec. Water Temp.
2" Mec/Oil Temp.
2" Volt
2" Elec. Fuel level (No Sender)

Retail price - $675.00
HDR price - $525.00

Additional gauges:
2" Mec. Fuel pressure w/ Isolator 0-15 psi
2" Ammeter 50-0-50
2" Elec. Clock

FIA Standard Gauge Set:
3-3/8" Tach 8,000 rpm
3-3/8" Speedo 160 mph - Standard Rotation
2-5/8" Mec. Oil Pressure 0-100 psi
2-5/8" Mec. Water Temp 140-280
2-5/8" Mec. Oil Temp
2-5/8" Volt
2-5/8" Elec. Fuel level (No Sender)

Retail pricing - $615.00
HDR pricing - $475.00

Further

"The 427 S/C gauge set is an exact exterior reproduction of the originals. The 180 mph reverse Speedo and the Tach come in 4" dia, with all Sub-gauges measuring 2" dia, as per the originals.

The FIA gauges also are an exact reproduction and are a direct replacement set for the SW's. The FIA's 160 mph Speedo measures 3-3/8", as does the Tach, all Sub-gauges measure 2-5/8" as per the originals."

They are nice looking knockoffs of the originals used. They are reliable in that they are Autometer...But they are mechanicals..not many are comfortable with bourdon tubes and lines filled with motor oil etc in the dashboard. They are truly smith like.

I have to order some up as well, just a matter of getting the best deal

my opinion

Tim

#6 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 07:07 AM

I BOUGHT A SET OF THE SMITHS REPLICA, AUTOMETER GAUGES FROM RICK ELLIS AT HIGHLAND DAYTONA RACING. THEY REALLY LOOK GREAT AND IT'S VERY HARD TO BEAT AUTOMETER FOR QUALITY AND DEPENDABILITY.

RICK'S PRICES WERE VERY GOOD AND THE SERVICE EXCELLENT.

I HAVE NOT INSTALLED THEM IN A CAR YET BECAUSE OF THE FIRE BUT AS SOON AS I GET A GARAGE SOMEWHERE IT'S GOING TO BE MY FIRST PROJECT.

AS AN OLD AIRLINE CAPTAIN I'M SOMEWHAT ANAL ABOUT WANTING TO KNOW EXACTLY WHATS GOING ON WITH MY ENGINE. BOTH S-W AND SMITHS DRIVE ME NUCKING FUTS. THE NEEDLES ACT LIKE THEY ARE CONNECTED TO THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AND I HAVE TO CARRY A PENLITE FLASHLIGHT IN MY TEETH AT NIGHT IF I WANT TO READ THE GAUGES.

MY BLACK COBRA HAS VDO GAUGES WHICH ARE GREAT, THEY WORK WELL AND LOOK GOOD. THEY ARE, HOWEVER, NOT AT ALL ORIGINAL IN APPEARANCE.

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Tirebiter · #7 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 12:05 PM

Bob,

Everything is mechanical except the tach.

Whaler · #8 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 12:24 PM

Kirkham was supposed to be another dealers as well as house of cobras....HOC even got their logo on the face of the ones they sell.

Looks like HDR is cheapest

HOC site

$578
HDR is $525

SCOBRAC · #9 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 08:04 PM

My Smith's gauges suck. I suppose I should feel blessed that any still work at all.. I mean what do you think.. You didn't expect them to make it to 20k did you.. Stewart Warner also makes a nice repro set that can be gotten with a 240 mph speedo.. Enzo has them in his online catalog at www.cobraaccessories.com though I think the Autometer gauges are a little nicer. Good price too..

leadfoot · #10 (**permalink**) 02-01-2002, 08:24 PM

There have been a number of threads on this topic, and the vendors previously mentioned.; Makes for some interesting reading.

Don't forget TriStateMotorsports.com, as they seem to have the same set for $475

... do your homework

... and customer service DOES matter!

I have do all of the above, and when I can sort out a new dash, TriStateMotorsports will receive my order.

Whaler · #11 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 12:31 PM

Leadfoot.
thanks for the extra supplier.. Every 50 bucks helps.
You and I are looking at 760 CDN plus taxes and shipping....wonder if theres lots of duty as well??
You obviously think highly of these guys.

Tim

Whaler · #12 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 01:51 PM

Shelby gauges

699 with a 100 dollar online discount= 599

also get to have the shelby name on the face...

So far tri state is in the lead at 475

Back in Black · #13 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 01:59 PM

I actually need 10 gauges total for my west coast build. The autometer set gets me the closest, and I hear the quality is high, with very good backlighting. At this point it's autometer for me.

computerworks · #14 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 02:15 PM

Guys...as with all purchases, compare apples to apples.
Some companies price gauges without required sending units, so the final cost may vary if you need extra items.

#15 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 02:26 PM

WHERE IS TRI-STATE???

ANYBODY HAVE A PHONE NUMBER OR OTHER MEANS OF CONTACT??

THANKS, AND Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

Steve Siedlecki · #16 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 02:43 PM

Hi,everyone, Just a little 2 cents worth.
I have purchased the autometers from HOC About a year ago. Needless to say the bezels and lenses fell off the speedo and tach. The bezels are plastic and they are glued to the housing.
No problem I sent them back to them and they sent them back to autometer. They came back repaired with a sticker from autometer. Didn't have them in the dash more then a day and they fell off again.
When I looked at them, all they did was add more glue. My experience with plastic models tells me that no glue sticks to chrome plated plastic!
Being a little pi***d off at this point I decided
to take matters into my own hands! I carefully scraped the inside of the plastic bezel with an exacto knife to expose raw plastic. Then I used a little clear silicone to glue them back on. So far they are stuck!
Just my tale of wo....
Steve

computerworks · #17 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 02:46 PM

http://www.tristatemotorsports.com/home.htm

...in Pennsylvania.

Whaler · #18 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 07:04 PM

Tri-State Motorsports
33 Industrial Road
P.O. Box 39
Brownstown, PA 17508
(717) 859-5487 phone
(717) 859-1489 fax

TriState motorsports

Yes I imagine that one must ask and see if senders etc are included. Many of the gauges are mechanical so they are a given...

HDR only mentions the fuel level as not having a sender incuded

"Standard 427 gauge set:
4" Tach 8,000 rpm
4" Speedo 0-180 mph Reverse Rotation
2" Mec. Oil Pressure 0-100 psi
2" Mec. Water Temp.
2" Mec/Oil Temp.
2" Volt
2" Elec. Fuel level (No Sender)

Additional gauges:
2" Mec. Fuel pressure w/ Isolator 0-15 psi
2" Ammeter 50-0-50
2" Elec. Clock

A quick phonecall away

Tim

Whaler · #19 (**permalink**) 02-02-2002, 07:11 PM

Lets compare the traditional chrome bezel style with the new smiths knockoff..

Tell me what you would buy...
Red needles and different sweep or maybe its the cleaner looking font. Either way you know you have autometer quality.

Tirebiter · #20 (**permalink**) 02-03-2002, 01:08 AM

Yeah, the aftermarket stuff is nice but there's something about originality. Call me crazy but since the HiTech car is a 4" round tube frame, and since this car is right hand drive, it think it needs the speedo that goes backwards, don't you?