Topic: 65 instrument cluster

[MattDoscher]

Hi,
I have converted my standard interior to pony interior on my '65 coupe.  With the conversion I switched from the standard instrument cluster to the pony 5 gauge cluster.  My question is how do the 2 bottom screws on the cluster attach to the dash tabs?  The 2 tabs on the bottom part of the dash are situated vertical to accomodate the screws on the standard dash which screw in horizontally.  On the pony cluster the 2 bottom screws screw in from the underside of the cluster and do not screw in to the tabs on the dash.  Do I need to bend the 2 tabs on the dash downward to allow the screws to fasten properly?  Or is there some small part I'm missing?

Your help is appreciated.

Matt

[CharlesTurner]

Yes, the tabs should point outward, but I'm not sure if they are in the same location, you'll have to check that.  Here's a picture of an original '65 that came with a 5 dial cluster.  As you can see, there is also a "dip" in the dash, which makes the fit better:

[MattDoscher]

Thanks Charles.  I see the dip you're talking about.  My dash doesn't have that dip.  But I was able to bend those 2 tabs forward to where I was able to secure the underside of my instrument bezel.

[C5ZZKGT]

Matt, This swap is a very popular one for sure.
I am curious as to what you did for the oil pressure guage? I have heard that one must change the sender on the engine to one for a guage verses one for a light.
Also curious as to what you did for the amp guage-you may and may not know about the unique '65 GT/Pony interior amp guage......they are a bit hard to find and it is my understanding that they have unique wireing to go along with it. I also understang that a '66 guage can work with existing '65 amp (light type) wireing.

[midlife]

Matt, This swap is a very popular one for sure.
I am curious as to what you did for the oil pressure guage? I have heard that one must change the sender on the engine to one for a guage verses one for a light.
Also curious as to what you did for the amp guage-you may and may not know about the unique '65 GT/Pony interior amp guage......they are a bit hard to find and it is my understanding that they have unique wireing to go along with it. I also understang that a '66 guage can work with existing '65 amp (light type) wireing.

There are two versions of the oil pressure sending unit: one for the gauge and one for the idiot light.
You are correct that the 65 ammeter has unique wiring associated with it: it works by induction with a main power line looped through the back of the ammeter. 
The 1966 gauge will not work with the 65 ammeter wiring nor the 65 ammeter light system.  The idiot light system has a completely different Voltage Regulator wiring than the gauge version.

[C5ZZKGT]

Thanks Randy for the info!! I wonder what Matt did to get the swapped in cluster to work?

[MattDoscher]

I changed out the main under dash wiring harness to a '66.  Randy is right in that the ammeter gauge wires up differently on a '66 versus a '65.  The May '10 issue of Mustang Monthly pg 40 has a detailed article about troubleshooting Mustang instrument panels and talks about the different gauges and associated wiring.  Randy is also right about the oil pressure sending unit differing between if you have a gauge or warning light.

[C5ZZKGT]

OK, Thanks!