Gauges from Howard Instruments

[sambo]

These guys are located in Melbourne and offer a range gauges from the "known" brands as well their own range. These I am told carry VDO internals and come in a range of colours.

Has anyone fitted the Howard branded gauges and if so, how are they going? The usual price for a set of VDOs is around $1300 but the Howard gauges are around $750. That's the larger speedo + tacho plus oil pressure, water temp, oil temp, amps, fuel with all necessary senders.

Here's a couple of pics... (warning - actual images are very large)

[stephen low]

Sambo

The first pic is the refaced VDO gauges in Smith style by Howard Inst. and these should be around $1300. Its about $400 extra for the standard VDO gauges to be refaced and recalibrated this way. I think you have mentioned this the wrong way around!

Your second pic looks like the same gauges but I'm intrigued by the red lined rev counter. Are these HI refaced gauges and is the redline tacho a new item by them?

I've got the full set less clock but am yet to get these into a dash setting. Have tested the fuel sender and gauge and these worked well.

I understand the tacho is relatively simple to wire up and the speedo can be triggered failry simply as well. I know of at least one car running around with these gauges in it so it mainly comes back to your visual preferences on the gauges.

Cheers

[sambo]

Thanks Steve. The pictures were described as "cobra and gt40 replica gauges", although I'm not sure which is which. I'm trying to find time to visit their store during the week but its miles from work.

Actually on closer inspection they are different, have a look at the white marks between the numbers, one set is hollow while the other is solid.

[hsv300]

Hey Sambo got mine from Able Instruments in QLD VDO units white with chrome rings and had the pointers changed to white. I got 7 x 52mm gauges and 2 x 100mm plus senders and fuel tank float to suit Harrison tank for $1000.00 Will add some pics tonight.

[sambo]

Thanks - I might even take that path simply because it's a proven combination with the Harrison that I'm building. One less hassle!

[boss290cobra]

hey guys is there a website on a selection of guages,colours etc i can look at thanks
darrell

[sambo]

You need to google the various brands... VDO, Smiths, Autometer, etc.

Here's a few to get you started:

http://www.caigauge.com/Smiths_Cobra_Instruments.htm

Cobra dash layouts:

http://www.ffcobra.com/FAQ/dash.html

[boss290cobra]

thamks sambo,did you find out who was selling the gt motor for 3k


darrell

[stephen low]

Sambo

The first (upper) of your two pics is the cobra style.

The QLD Able Instruments price seems V. good as Howards were about $1300 for 5 x 52mm and 2 x 100mm plus senders and plugs.

Howard quality seems good, you need to research what the Able versions are like but sounds like you could better the Howard price even including freight!

I know Roger Howard is into the motoring game hence why he has copied the actual Smiths style of the cobra period.

The value of local purchase is local availability to fix problems but i don't think these gauges should be too problematic. Will leave it to you.

Cheers
though does

[hsv300]

The gauges I used from Able Instuments are Vdo Cockpit Vision which have the red pointer and black bezels Chris, from Able changed the pointers to white and the bezels to chrome. Also these gauges come with white, red and green back lighting cheers Greg

[stephen low]

Greg

I reckon you will run out of speedo with only 200kph, the howard version goes to 300kph and I'm betting most cars will fit somewhere between these figures - for race use only of course....!!!!!!

Certainly the repainting of the needles to white and the chrome bezel lift the std VDO gauge straight away and this might be enough in terms of look for some, it all comes down to personal taste, preference and affordability.

[hsv300]

Vdo do a 300kph as well I just got the 200kph So I can tell everyone I wound it off the clock
+ shows the 40, 60, 80, 100 ect better than the 300kph

[WKB]

I bought all my VDO Cockpit Vison gauges, senders and plugs from Able Instruments and like HSV300 I took the option to have the chrome bezels and pointers painted white(Smith replicas). I thought I got a pretty good price(around a $1000 from memory)for the 5 x 52mm gauges and 2 x 100mm gauges, senders and plugs, but the price HSV300 paid for his gear was exceptional. Well done!
Chris is the expert at Able when it comes to vehicle instruments(OEM or after market).
I bought a 300kph speedo, but if I was doing it again I would maybe get the 200kpa.
The 300kph looks more impressive, but the numbers are close together and when you are doing 100kpa the pointer is only at third of the dial.

Warren

[Philm]

WKB,
You can get the VDO speedo redone to read 200kph, I did that to go from 200kph to 300kph. It was not as expensive as buying a new one.

I know what you mean about the numbers close together, it is har to glance and see how fast you are going.


Phil

[cobbindale]

Sambo,

These are Howard VDO's with Smiths faces.




Cheers,
Dale.

[07cob]

Originally Posted by hsv300

Hey Sambo got mine from Able Instruments in QLD VDO units white with chrome rings and had the pointers changed to white. I got 7 x 52mm gauges and 2 x 100mm plus senders and fuel tank float to suit Harrison tank for $1000.00 Will add some pics tonight.

HSV300

Have you cut the hole in the tank for the fuel sender as yet? The units Able supply are generally installed from outside the tank, requiring a reasonably large hole to be cut (which may lead to some leaking). I took a risk (after measuring up about 200 times) and cut a smaller hole next to the hole for the pump. This way I could get my hand in the tank to install the backing plate for the unit. I fitted the unit and presto, it clears the baffle in the centre of the tank by a poofteenth and works a treat. With a much smaller hole than is needed to install from outside. I haven't filled the tank yet - just enough to start - so I am still hoping that it doesn't leak.

Cheers

GeoF

[hsv300]

No Geof haven't got the tank yet But seeing you know how to do it i will drop it off to you

cheers Greg

[sambo]

Originally Posted by cobbindale

Sambo,

These are Howard VDO's with Smiths faces.

Cheers,
Dale.

Thanks Dale. They look pretty good to me! I'm going to see if I can get black bezels to help cut down on glare.

[stephen low]

Sambo

The VDO's come std with a black bezel so that shouldn't be a problem.

I'd forgotten the Howard speedo only went to 260kph, but with a 5L that's probably enough for my needs.

Dale

Like the layout, its what I was planning. How does it suit your steering wheel and vision of the two big gauges? What wheel and column shroud are you using?

Cheers

[BMK]

I'm a big VDO - Howard - Instrument fan as Roger and Ian there cannot do enough for you.

I have used their VDO Smith faced gauges and have not had a problem.

Went over to Heidelberg, Victoria and Roger jumped in the Cobra and we drove around to a set marked distance and he set the speedo for me. Again no problem.

Good after marked service also, as I know someone who has had cause to go back finding them great.

Price good also at around $1300 with all sendersd etc. A supporter of Cobra related events including Classic Phillip Island where they had a large display.

Bernie