I am needing to wire two gauges up and I am nervous about how to wire the power to them. The gauges I am installing are oil pressure and coolant temp. Any suggestions on how to wire power to and ground the gauges properly for a 1995 LT1 would be greatly appreciated.

Mike

 

I remember when I put in my first two gages in my A-pilar in my 95 Z. My first gages were a VAC gage, and a rich/lean gage. I was nervous as all get up as well to touch anything electrical. Most if not all gages come with all the directions needed to install them. Mine were both from Autometer.

The next thing is how hard the installation is for the type of gage you are getting. My first two were probably two of the easiest to install. Although I have no experience with the installation of either an oil pressure gage, or an engine coolant temp gage, I can't imagine either one being too difficult. If you run into any problems during the install, you can most always contact the meter's tech guys on the phone to talk you through it.

Good luck.

 

You need +12V "switched" power for the gauges themselves, if they are "electronic". There is a source of switched +12V power in the fuse block in the end of the dash. Its a small rectangular hole, labeled "IGN" on the cover diagram. Put a 1/4" female spade lug on your wire and push it over the male spade lug in the fuse block.

For a ground, you need to find a bolt or screw that is screwed directly into chassis sheetmetal.

For the lights in the gauges, you can tap into the headlight switch, the instrument panel dimmer rheostat, or the fuse in the dash panel block, for the dimmer circuit.

Try a "search". In the past month or so, there was a person with very similar "nerves" and we managed to walk him through the electrical stuff with photos and diagrams. He posted pics of his setup as he completed the steps. Its all you need to cover the electrical part.

Are your gauges mechanical or electronic? That will determine how you install the sensors, or connect the tubing to the engine.

 

Interesting choice of gauges; I take it you don't trust the stock oil pressure and coolant temp gauges? Personally I think a fuel pressure gauge and a vacuum gauge are quick helpful; good indicators of common failures.