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Replace instrument cluster

Reply #15 –
Just to let you know- The gauges I will be using are:

Speedometer---  Autometer 3988
Tach-----------  Autometer 3991
Water Temp----  Autometer 3337
Voltage--------  Autometer  3391
Fuel------------ Autometer 3315
Oil Pressure----- Autometer 3327

Gauges are on order and should be here by 3/3.
I'll probably have a number of questions on wiring so I'll say "Thank You" in advance.
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #16 –
Shown below is the layout I used for the new Autometer cluster. The dimension used for the fuel and water temp gauges should be moved an additional 1/16 in. to allow for the Autometer mounting hardware.
Diameter of Tach, speedometer hole- 3.32in, overall- 3.82in
Diameter of small gauge hole- 2.03in, overall- 2.20in.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #17 –
Shown below is the new cluster mounted on Lexan filler. Also shown is the rear of the cluster to show how much material needs to be removed to fit the gauges.
I still have to cover the Lexan with vinyl wrap.
Total cost to date- $750, Gauges- $650, Lexan- $10, Ebay TC cluster- $50, (Didn't want to tear up the existing cluster), Misc. Material- wire, clamps, vinyl wrap, etc- $40

XX
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #18 –
Just for reference this is what I have for gauges at this time.

XX
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #19 –
Shown is the bracket that the gauge cluster mounts to in the dash. If you use Autometer gauges you will need to make holes in the bracket, (2nd picture), to clear the gauge mounting bracket.

XX
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #20 –
Gauge cluster with the new mounting plate covered with 3M charcoal gray vinyl wrap.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #21 –
Decided to try using 8w, 12v LED's to replace the turn signal, bright, check engine, ABS, Shift, Seat Belt, and Brake lamps. I used the existing sockets, pulled out the contacts, drilled a hole in the back for the LED pigtail. I used silicon adhesive to hold the LED's in the socket and secure the socket to the backbox. This solved the problem with wiring the existing sockets using the film.

XXX
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #22 –
This shows the new light sockets installed. 2nd picture shows the wiring. I used a connector from the door of a Lincoln. That way I can easily remove the cluster if I need to. A 4 pin connector will be used for the ABS and Check Engine lights. I used a P-Touch to make the wire labels. I will be removing the existing cluster plug and using the female Lincoln plug in it's place. All wire connections are horse tail spliced and soldered.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #23 –
Got side tracked today. Decided to see if I could make the mirror, window and switch panel look presentable.  decal Ford used was blistering, more came off every time I cleaned it. Hated those silver spots.

XX
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #24 –
This was the smoke test. I actually used 3 plugs to connect the cluster- 1- 18 pin, (for the cluster), 1- 4 pin, (for the check engine and ABS lights), 1- bullet connector, (for the 12v ignition power). Remember I changed my indicator lights out for LED's? Well it looks like I ran into a problem. All of the lights- brake, ABS, check engine all work like they're supposed to. The high beam and turn signal stay on continuously. Turn signals blink when making a turn, high beam doesn't affect the head lights. The indicator lights just stay on. Tried installing a diode in line but didn't do anything. Somehow I'm getting a backfeed on those 2 lights. Going to do some research wwith the EVTM and schematics and see if I can find the problem.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #25 –
Cluster installed. Still researching the problem with the turn and bright light indicators. Anyone with an idea I'd appreciate the help. Please excuse the steering wheel cover. The steering wheel is a sentimental part from my original 87 Sport Coupe, bought new, total by my wife 10/03. Bought this car in 11/03 and after 2yrs of work had it on the road in 11/05. I live in Nevada and a cover is necessary during summer to prevent 2nd degree burns. The black door handles are also a problem.

I would not of attempted this without the great information on this site. And a "Thank You" to JeremyB and Eric for the information and links. Sure made it easier.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #26 –
One last thing is a picture of the re-built switch panel. Worked out pretty good. The covering is 3M gray metallic vinyl, the lettering is by a Brother P Touch using white on clear weatherproof tape. I used the same color vinyl on the cluster. I also made one using 3M Matt Black with the same lettering. The gray seems to look better. Made a new panel where the cigarette lighter is adding a 12v power point. That is covered in the 3M Matt Black with the white lettering.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #27 –
Installed the Autometer Speedometer GPS Interface, (5289), because I will be trying different size tires on the rear and don't want to re-calibrate my speedometer each time. Easy hookup. Very accurate. Can be used with other brand speedometers.

Just something I tried in case someone wanted to try building a cluster and use existing lamps and sockets.

X
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more

Replace instrument cluster

Reply #28 –
Got 2 "new" bezels, excellent condition with all mounting points intact, from Ron Hartman and re-covered the brushed metal face with the same 3M vinyl I used on the cluster face. A little tedious but actually turned out better than the pictures. Cluster work is now complete. All gauges, lights now work and the GPS unit for the speedometer is definitely the way to go

XX
1987 Turbo Coupe, 306, Trick Flow Track Heat heads, Comp Cam, Trick Flow Pistons, Eagle Rods, Center Force clutch, T-5, 8.8 w/373 gears, and a bunch more