instrument panel

[Bruce Compton]

To replace a 78 Cutlass total idiot light instrument panel with an all gauge panel , how many years newer can you go before the computer starts to interfer. I think they all fit but with the printed back and all will say a guage panel from an 85 work in a 78? Any help? Bruce

 

[88hurstolds]

Any gauge cluster from 78-88 Cutlass will work.
The computer receives no input from the gauges themselves aside from the optical Vehicle Speed Sensor on the back of the speedometer.
The computer gets the temp reading from a seperate temp switch, which tells the computer when the engine is at operating temperature, and doesn't utilize Oil Pressure, RPM, Volts, Fuel Level etc... The computer will however send a Check Engine signal to the idiot light on the cluster but that's negligible of year or engine type.
If you have a cluster from a V6 or visa versa you will need to make sure the jumper on the back of the tach is in the right position for V8 or V6.

 

[Bruce Compton]

Thanks for the help. I am looking at a couple of 78 CUTLASS`to build a street machine and both cars are the idiot light dash and there seems be alot of the gauge dashes out there, so not a big deal for that. Thanks again.