New gauge cluster wiring

Hello. Personally, I would attach it to the stud on the back of the ignition switch. I always try to do things in as non-destructive a way as is possible. Soldering into the ignition circuit is also ok, but, you are then sort of committed to having this component function flawlessly forever. It is always possible that a component could fail after a while and needs to replaced, or, you could simply change your mind after a while and decide to go back to original or use some other new component. There are also a lot of other things that could fail in the near future, like the headlight switch,or the ignition switch itself, that the fix requires removing the instrument cluster.

As usual, Veronica is spot on. Solder a lug on it if it doesn't have one already and attach it to the ignition switch. Moses7797 is also right about soldering. I do sometimes use crimp on connectors, but always solder them after crimping. Another wiring decision is electrical tape vs. shrink-wrap. I never use tape unless there is no other way, and even then the best 3M tape I can get. And use a heat gun to shrink, not a soldering iron, lighter, or torch. Yea, the latter three will work if you're very careful. . .

I have mp products gauges in both my cars. but I also used an AAW wiring harness when I did it so I don't remember for sure if the disconnect came with the wiring harness or the gauge cluster. regardless as veronica mentioned you are going to want to take that cluster out at some point in the furture so I highly recommend a wiring disconnect which makes it a simple matter of unplugging one connector and the gauges pop out. if one did not come with the gauge cluster get one now before you finish everything up.

Thanks for the guidance. Looks like a ring terminal on that stud will work. Plenty of room to add an extra nut on the end vs trying to loosen the one that's on there. I'll also be shrink wrapping every connection.

Still have to swap out the oil and temp senders today. From the top I can't see the existing oil light sender between the fuel pump and oil filter. Maybe I need to look from underneath. Are they always mounted in that location on a 289?

mccance said:

I have mp products gauges in both my cars. but I also used an AAW wiring harness when I did it so I don't remember for sure if the disconnect came with the wiring harness or the gauge cluster. regardless as veronica mentioned you are going to want to take that cluster out at some point in the furture so I highly recommend a wiring disconnect which makes it a simple matter of unplugging one connector and the gauges pop out. if one did not come with the gauge cluster get one now before you finish everything up.

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The cluster came pre-wired into a single pigtail with a quick disconnect. Sure made it a whole lot easier.

mccance said:

good, yeah I could not remember if that pigtail came with the gauges or the wiring kit. but it does make it a lot easier to remove and to work with. I really like the clusters now that I have them in. I assume you got the electronic programmble speedometer?

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No, I stuck with the old mechanical speedo.

by the way oil senders are allways located in the same area on windsor engines. you may find that you need an oil pressure sending unit extension to be able to mount it however due to how close it is to the oil filter. this is not my car. it is just a picture I found.

mccance said:

by the way oil senders are allways located in the same area on windsor engines. you may find that you need an oil pressure sending unit extension to be able to mount it however due to how close it is to the oil filter. this is not my car. it is just a picture I found.

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Thanks for that... I already bought the extension piece. I'll crawl under the car this weekend and swap it out.

A couple of pictures of the finished product. Note that the Rally Pac is not connected (and likely never was before I bought the car)