Cobra Cockpit Gauges

[FastEddy]

On gauges. My Slab-side came with S-W gauges of uniformly poor quality. Gas gauge stays full until maybe 2 or 3 gals left, then drops like a rock to E. Mileage odo stuck on 5158, but speedo works! Coolant temp. gauge used to stick hard downscale, needing a "rap" to get it to register properly (seems ok last few months, tho). BTW, condensation normal on inside gauge glass? (I am assuming units not sealed, because of temperature (light bulb inside) considerations. Yes?)

Any advice on switching to Smith's? Happy with them on MGA and BJ8 Healey Mk III, and no worries ever with Jaeger gauges on old 73 Alfa Spider Veloce. Were Smith gauges OEM on Slab-sides as a nod to AC, Ltd?

[Bob Putnam]

As far as I know, all the 260/289 cars that came to the new world used Stewart Warner gages. I've seen pictures of British 289 AC's with Smiths though. I suppose that you could morally justify either one. Frankly, I wouldn't expect the Smith's reliability to be much of an improvement over the S/W gages.

[FastEddy]

Mr. Putnam--

As always, thanks eversomuch for your propmpt and informative reply.

I (apparently) was thrown off by reading somewhere in CC, "If you are a stickler for detail/originality, you could use Smith's" or similar quote, so I just assumed that the 260/289s came so equipped. My builder sending a new SW speedo, so reckon I'll keep the SW gauge set I have (while praying the busted gears driving odo inside original speedo was a random failure). Although, I must admit a trip odo would be handy to support my oh-so-lame petrol gauge to keep track of range.

BTW, I measured my LH door latch and found it to be a "Tri/Mark" unit, measuring 3 7/8 long, 3/4 wide, 1 1/4 deep, with 2 bolts, 2 1/2 on center. Closure "capture" (C mouth) in center, with "release" spring/lever mechanicals above. EHT

[427sharpe]

I can tell you from experience that the Smith's gauges are JUNK! I went thru quite a few before I finally gave up and replaced the lot. I used VDO at first because they offered an electric 160 MPH speedo, but have recently switched over to the new AutoMeter Cobra line that LOOK like the oe Smith's, but are much cheaper and best of all--THEY WORK! I use the reverse wind 180 speedo and the 8k tach, and the rest of the set, and they have been flawless.

[FastEddy]

Does "Torque-e-Modo" have a roll-bar hunch ?? (Little joke)

But there is the "oe" reference to Smith gauges again. Mr. Putnam tells me that all 260/289s came over or were supplied with Stewart-Warner gauges, so where do Smith gauges come in? Not that it really matters, I plan on staying with S-W, but would like them to work well and be reasonable accurate. A trip "odo" would also be nice on speedometer.

EHT

[Cobra University]

Look at the Autometer line again for your replacement gauges.

They have two Cobra replica sets: (1) Smiths-look, and (2) Stewart Warner look.

The Stewart Warner replicas are top quality electronics and look very accurate to the SW face and bezel.

They can be purchased from either:
Woodruff's House of Cobras 714-639-8088
Highland Daytona Racing 888-718-8702
Tri-State Motorsports 717-859-5487

Hope this helps...

Stephen
www.cobrauniversity.com
See my CC ad for engine music at "Sounds of Cobra-CD"

[427sharpe]

Somebody finally got the reference line (torque-e-modo!!)!! No, the only hunch in my back is from having my wife on it all the time to take her out in the Cobra--what a woman!

[Jack21]

Hmmm. Do I want gauges that look OE, or do I want gauges that look good although not OE, but work. i.e. Smiths vs Auto Meter.

Back in my MG/TR/Healy days, I don't recall Smiths being that bad. Lucas electricals were another story. But, alas, did finally allow pragmatic tendencies to influence gauge (and other electrical components) selection. Went with Auto Meter Sport-Comp 160MPH electronic speedo, and 8000 RPM tach, and "Z" Series oil, water, fuel, & volts. They look good, work perfectly, and AM backs them up. Speedo went back for condensation removal, tach went back for bulb change, both at no charge.

If Smiths, check suppliers in England. I get most OE parts (at OE, not "Classic Car" prices) from europaspares.com in UK.

[Whaler]

Hi looked at the Cobra style gauges at HOC and then went to the autometer set looking to find them myself and got no where. Guys what line would the new Smith and SW look alikes resemble.

Having a heck of a time finding the actual part numbers for this set or these 7 gauges so i can order them from an Autometer dealer here in Canada.

Tim

HOC gauge set

Autometer site

[JamesBond]

I am using the VDO series 1 gauges. They work great and look very similar to the S-W's. The biggest difference is they work. I have an S-W speedo and only the most observant people notice the rest are not S-W. They are pretty cost effective as well. I am surprised that few people consider them as a good S-W alternate.

[Steve Siedlecki]

Fast Eddie,
I have the HOC gauges. The difference between them and the autometer gauges is the HOC gauges have a small logo of a cobra and the autometer ones say auter meter. I would go to Tri state for the gauges. Also he has the reversing piece for the speedo...
Steve

[JOHNNYB26]

Does anyone have the correct dash layout of a 289 FIA ?

[Whaler]

289FIA dash

poke around there may be better

Tim

[M & M]

This site has everything -

http://users.pipeline.com.au/bryanw/...g_an_authe.htm

[JOHNNYB26]

Thanks for the info, I have seen more dash layouts and would like to set up gaufes as close as possible, thanks again John B.

[Sonny]

where did this come from, i've used s & w since 1972 and never have had the gauge problems like i've heard lately, usually faulty readings are due too installation (wire size, improper grounding, bad sending unit install, leaking line pressure, etc), not the gauge!

[Whaler]

Of course these are for right hand drive. flip flop them accordingly

Tim

[Bob Putnam]

None of those dashes were used on the FIA Cobra - the original used the layout here:
http://www.erareplicas.com/fia/fiadash.htm
Small instruments were 2 5/8" S/W, with a 3 5/8" S/W speedo (far right) and 90-degree Sun tach.

[Whaler]

LOL Bob where were you earlier??
I gave out a link to your site earlier and it took off from there... you will see it in the page one of this thread

FIA

Tim

[Whaler]

This is a better price for me

Gauges link

I printed it out and will simply hand it too my autoline dealed up here in Canada. Now they won't look so puzzled when I describe them to him...LOL

Tim