Thread: "Dolphin gauges"....

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Car is almost done from Duane's shop.{He is sending me a couple of disposable cameras that he took several pics with and I will post later}
It's not that difficult to understand,,He does provide "rollers" and I wanted Mine with Bilstein coilovers and shocks.
I'm not shopping gauges,,the shop that's doing the "finishing build" uses Dolphin gauges but I can "upgrade" if I choose to a brand of My choice!
I have upgraded several items that the shop regularly uses to my choice of manufacturer.
Does this help you understand my build??

Originally Posted by DA34GUY

Let's see here.
You spend the BIG BUCKS on a blower motor, have a pro shop build you a car, and ya want to "Go Cheap" on fishy gauges.
Slam sum Stewart Warner traditional guages in it and do it right.
Just my .02 cents

I'm not "GOING CHEAP",,,,as You know some rod shops buy large quantities of parts from certain companies{like the dolphin gauges},some are decent parts,and some I chose to upgrade to a better quality part,,,,right?
I do like the Stewart Warner gauges a lot,but I might go with the Autometer Prestige series,,they are nice as well.
Sounds good???

I bought autometer when I got to the gauge point. Medium to very good quality, nice variety of styles and good reviews.

I've used Dolphin's in a few builds, no problems with them... Kind of comes down to the look you want on the gauges. I put a set of Stewart Warner "Wings" in a guy's car early last summer, it was a ten year old build and the new gauges vs. the Auto Meter Comp gauges he had in it sure changed the look of the dash. Don't really think there's much difference in the quality of the gauges and in a street car they're fine. Heck, you've already spent so much on the build the price of gauges is insignificant. Just go with whatever gauge fits in with the "theme" of the build and the look of the interior.

I have heard good things about Dolphin gauges. I agree that you should go with the guage that best fits the look of the car you are building. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Mr Blue

I have heard good things about Dolphin gauges. I agree that you should go with the gauge that best fits the look of the car you are building. Good luck!

"
Thank You Don,,,,should have some pics of the chassis and "un-painted" body next week!

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

I've used Dolphin's in a few builds, no problems with them... Kind of comes down to the look you want on the gauges. I put a set of Stewart Warner "Wings" in a guy's car early last summer, it was a ten year old build and the new gauges vs. the Auto Meter Comp gauges he had in it sure changed the look of the dash. Don't really think there's much difference in the quality of the gauges and in a street car they're fine. Heck, you've already spent so much on the build the price of gauges is insignificant. Just go with whatever gauge fits in with the "theme" of the build and the look of the interior.

I will do just that Dave ,Thanks!
ps,,,,these damn things "sure do" add up!!!!

I had them on a customer project that he provided. The speedo had dip switches. The book to set the dip switches was something like 72pages and there were over 200 possible settings to get the speedo right. Of course the speedo has never worked nor will it because to set it one would have to take wrenches drive the car, drop the steering colum and take the gage panel loose then take the speedo out far enough to change the setting and reinstall all that mess to retighten the steering column and drive it again. I called dolphin and gave him the tire combo, rear gear and tranny ratios and he couldn't figure it out for a 'dry, starting point' setting - he said i was on my own. I believe the newer generation gages have electronic adjustments you can do from the front. I had same problem with classis instrumets '56 chevy gage pckage. So when you are buying gages be sure to find out how the speedo is calibrated!

Thanks ojh!!!

Yep I'm still afraid to try calibrating mine once the truck is road worthy. Even the simplest ones come with the 100 page instruction book!

i have them in my t bucket have a little over 5000 miles on it so far no probs.

Originally Posted by Mr Blue

I have heard good things about Dolphin gauges. I agree that you should go with the guage that best fits the look of the car you are building. Good luck!

I agree with Don. I put Stewart-Warner gauges in my '29 Ford roadster back in 1988 but opted for Dakota Digital for my '32. Choice is a matter of reflecting the car's style.

I agree too that it is a matter of what look you want. Dolphin does alot of styles. I just didn't want the little dolphin picture on my gauges( and I'm a former Marine Biologist! )
I thinks as to quality they have been around a while now, and I do see them in a lot of rods at shows. I think the price factor really dictates what we buy, and by the time your getting to settle on gauges, most of our wallets are pretty thin! Since Your car is being built for you, I don't think you have to worry about install and calibration so that should make the choice a little easier!(or are you installing them?)