The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hello folks...

I am thinking of fitting a Smith 'Fuel Consumption' gauge to my Toledo for no other reason other than I think it looks pretty darn good!



Has anyone of you good people fitted one of these to your car?

If so would you be kind enough to let me know how you did it and whereabouts in the dash you put it (I think I know where I'd like to locate it)...?!?!?!

Many thanks to all in advance.

I used to have 3 of these in a pod atop the dash of my mkIII Zodiac - one for each carb! So I could check the balance of the carbs on the move (and it gave passengers something to look at!) All it is, is a vacuum guage, and if you think that one looks cool you should check out the earlier type, full circle dial with several different pretty colours!

Steve

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'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.

I've fitted a smiths vacuum gauge to my toledo:

Got a carb spacer with vacuum take off from minispares, and some silicone vacuum pipe.

jobs a good'n!

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RetroMat
1972 Toledo: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6OY1otgtVTs
1986 Saab 900
1979 Toyota Hiace camper

Crikey, I had forgotten all about those.
They were all the rage back in the day - early 1970's I think.

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Russ Cooper
Dursley
UK

The more the better!!!! Jeroen

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Classic Kabelboom Company. For all your wiring needs. http://www.classickabelboomcompany.com

Complete waste of time if fitted as a consumption gauge
They were fitted to the Audi GT5's which was completely pointless as if you don't buy a GT5 with fuel economy in mind.

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Some people are like Slinky's, they serve no real purpose in life but bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs.

Utter waste of time and space. Something else to go wrong that does nothing useful. You should drive according to your ability
and road conditions. If your looking at a stupid gauge you're not paying attention to whats going on outside.

By all means have an oil pressure gauge and a temp gauge, maybe an ammeter or volts for charge, but you dont need anything esle really.

I quite like the trip mpg digital thing on the Golf I have but on our TDC cars it would just be out of place.

Flog it to some MGB or Escort owner on Ebay and put the dosh to better use....like an electronic ignition or some Bosch platinum spark plugs
that really will improve the mpg...

Jonners.

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Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.

Probably not worth adding as a genuinely useful tool, as Jonners pointed out there are much better improvements that can be made to increase MPG.

However, I think I know why you're really adding it, not because you want to monitor your mpg, but because it's a cool 70's accessory - and for that reason I'd say go for it

I'd never go for something just because it was a cool looking 1970's accessory now would I...?!?!?!

Ok, maybe I would

Nice one!

Can you tell me/show me more about how you fitted this to your Toledo please.

Many thanks

Lol...

Youth is wasted on the young....

but you cant get experience any other way than ignoring boring old farts....

Jonners

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Note from Admin: sadly Jon passed away in February 2018 but his humour and wealth of knowledge will be fondly remembered by all. RIP Jonners.

Fit and oxygen sensor in the exhaust - in a Sprint just where the two down pipes go into one and
then you can add an air fuel ration gauge and watch the lights dance though red and amber to green. I fitted one originally in the race car when there was a suspicion the engine was leaning out too much at max revs on a circuit with a very long straight.
Geoff

Fitted one for the same reason. Only did buy a black face one and fitted a smiths bezel to make it match. It's the most right in the pod. And it's better than leaving an unused hole in the pod.

Jeroen

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Classic Kabelboom Company. For all your wiring needs. http://www.classickabelboomcompany.com

I have decided that I will most certainly treat myself and my Toledo to one of these gauges as I just think they are a nice and quirky accesory to add to my otherwise plain (but ruddy lovely!) dashboard...

Are they simple to fit though do any of you good people know?!

Obviously I appreciate that I will have to make a hole in the dash itself (I would like to fit it between the two main gauges) but what else do I need to do and what is the best way to go about it?!

If any one of you fine folks out there have any suggestions, or if you've fitted one of these gauges yourself please tell me all your secrets...

Many thanks

Nice and easy to fit, you need the carb spacer with the vacuum take off. This replaces the original carb spacer (in between the manifold and the carb) Run the vacuum hose from the vacuum take off on the carb spacer through the bulkhead, there should be a few free holes with grommets in the bulk head. Then stick the hose on the back of the gauge simple! No drilling required!

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http://www.minispares.com/product/Class ... o%20search

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RetroMat
1972 Toledo: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6OY1otgtVTs
1986 Saab 900
1979 Toyota Hiace camper