'78 Dash Gauges / Spare Tire

[Yook]

Is it hard to change the gauges in a '78 Vette. I've noticed
the gauges are connected to a digital strip, and they aren't
too reliable.. sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't.

I'd like to remove the oil, heat, and battery gauges, and
put in some real gauges that run straight to the engine
and the battery. Is it a big project taking the dash apart
to change these? Also, is it possible to change these gauges
in the dash, without bothering the fuel gauge, or is the
fuel gauge part of the digital strip that the others are on?

I need to keep the fuel gauge, and if its on the digital strip,
I'm thinking that it might just be easier to change it with the
digital strip set-up, but I think that I'd prefer real gauges.

Also, their isn't a spare tire or a set-up underneath the back
for a spare. What is the standard set-up for a spare on a 78?
Does it use a full-size tire or a donut. I've noticed their isn't alot
of room under the rear-end near the fuel tank, so I'm thinking it
might be a donut. I need to get something under there just in
case I get a flat. What a pain to call a tow truck over a flat.

Any feedback on both of these things would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

What is the standard set-up for a spare on a 78?
Does it use a full-size tire or a donut.

What a pain to call a tow truck over a flat.

I got a flat (sidewall, irreparable) last summer in the 78 and I used the spare, which is a donut-like tire with an uuugly yellow rim. Even though the tire is obviously not a match for the stock tires, I do believe it is the same circumference as the stock tires, not a teeny, tiny donut like have seen with other cars.

Another problem I experienced...it took my local tire shop (whom I have road hazzard warranty with) just over a WEEK to get my Firehawk tire! When I next replace my tires you can BET I am going to keep my old tires for just-in-case I need to wait for tires again!
Heidi

 

[matchframe]

Not sure about the guages, but I do know the spare came from the factory as a smaller temporary tire much like a doughtnut tire. The outside diameter has to be the same as the tires on the ground because of the positract rearend. What I did on my '78 is I got a spare rim that would fit over the brake calipers that also had a 7 inch width. I put on a smaller width tire that had the same diameter as to what I had on the ground, and was able to fit it in the spare tire carrier. Remember that the wider the tire, the more it will hang down under the car.

Let us hear what you do about the guages, I would like to do the same thing!

Bill

 

[mvftw]

Tip for Heidi, that ugly yellow spare rim is gold for you. Only the early '78 had yellow rims, they changed over to black rims. I took my spare out and put in normal rim & tire. Do you still have the Goodyear Temp. tire on it?

 

[Greekman]

Yellow Spare Tire Rim is GOLD

Heidi, that's correct that yellow rim for your "Temporary Use Only" spare tire is gold.

There has been much discussion as to the dates of when the yellow rim was started and discontinued the same 1978 year.

But your right, it's still ugly.


.

 

[matchframe]

I still have my original yellow rim. That's why I got another tire for spare because it is gold!! My Vette was built in April '78 and had yellow, but soon after they went black. Heidi, I would suggest getting another tire for a spare, because if somebody knows what they are looking for, your ugly spare could mean money for them.

Bill

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I didn't know that!

Tip for Heidi, that ugly yellow spare rim is gold for you...Do you still have the Goodyear Temp. tire on it?

Yes, the temp is the original and it held the 78 up for a week while we waited for the Firehawk to arrive at my tire shop.
Good advice about getting a replacement and storing this one in a safe place.
Heidi

 

[page62]

Okay, now back to the gauges. There is nothing "digital" about these gauges. They are merely "electronic." These cars had NOTHING "digital" back in '78.

This means that, for example, the oil pressure gauge uses an electronic sending unit and an electronic gauge, instead of having an actual oil tube running through the car and to the gauge. Just ask earlier-model Vette owners how they feel when the tube connecting to this "real" gauge manages to break.

Your problem is likely that the circuit board (or "digital strip" as you call it) is cracked from age. Replacements are available from most Corvette catalog vendors.

 

[Yook]

Thanks for all of the advice. Your right, its just an electronic
strip. A bad choice of words at the time, I guess. I'll have to
send off for the electronic strip, because the gauges are all
messed up, except for the fuel gauge which actually works.

Well, this car didn't have a spare tire when I bought it, and
their isn't a set-up in the back underbelly of the car for a tire.
The previous owner did alot of modifications to the car, and
I don't know why its no longer there. How exactly is the tire
fastened underneath the car? I'd like to get an idea, and I
may just build something for it myself, close to the original.

I'm trying to get both of these problems out of the way, before
the warm weather hits.. and I get the itch to go for a ride.

 

[page62]

You may want to carry a can of fix-a-flat, and a AAA card instead!

I removed my spare tire carrier (at least for now). The assembly was very heavy, and the tire was flat...

 

[Willis76]

You may want to carry a can of fix-a-flat, and a AAA card instead!

I agree get the fix-a-flat and the AAA card - and go have some fun!