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Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
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Bought this at an auction recently in a box full of other auto parts and just wanted to confirm its identification before I put it up for sale. It has an 80mph AC Spark Plug Co speedometer in the middle. On the back the casing is marked: PATENTED, MADE IN U.S.A, AC SPARK PLUG CO, FLINT MICH. Then over that in a different type of marking is "724?" and a character I can't make out over "1-D-28". On the left side it has a place for the CHOKE cable up top then below it has a light selector switch with the positions; ON, DIM, OFF, and PARK. On the back of the light switch there is a MADE-IN-U.S.A. "UNION" 20A-25V fuse and the connectors on the back of the switch are marked from lower left to lower right : REAR, DIM, HEAD, SIDE, and BAT. On the right side it has a Sterling Mfg Co amp meter that measures -20/+20amps and a TM Co oil pressure gauge that measures from 0-25psi in 5psi increments. There are no markings on the backs of either of these gauges. I do not know if any of the gauges actually work but the speedometer dial does roll and reset to zero when you turn the body of the speedometer and the trip odometer will reset. Also the needle in the oil pressure gauge will move from side to side when you tilt the cluster. I have limited knowledge of vintage cars and would like someone to verify what I've looked up on the Internet so far. I've found photos of Chevrolet truck from 1926, 1927, and 1928 that all had gauge clusters that looked just like this one to me. So before I go out and say it is a 1926-1928 truck cluster would someone be so kind as to verify that for me and add anything else that you might think may be of help to me about this item? Sorry about the second photo. I kept trying to rotate it before I posted it but it kept showing up sideways. Got frustrated and just left it that way. Sorry for the inconvenience. ![[Linked Image from i770.photobucket.com]](http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx348/TicketMan4u/1928ChevroletGaugeCluster015a.jpg) [/img] ![[Linked Image from i770.photobucket.com]](http://i770.photobucket.com/albums/xx348/TicketMan4u/1928ChevroletGaugeCluster021a.jpg)
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Hi,
These look identical to the gauge clusters in my two trucks: 1927 LM 1 ton, and 1928 AB 1/2 ton Canopy Express. It also looks like the gauges in a truck I used to have, a 1928 LO 1 ton commercial chassis.
If you're going to sell it as a unit, let me know. I might be interested.
Cheers, Dean
Dean 'Rustoholic' Meltz old and ugly is beautiful!
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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they are out of a 1927 chev
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The 1 ton trucks and 1/2 ton commercials used a different light to the '27 passenger cars.The early switch had the ignition key in the centre of the light switch lever("REMY" type),and this was later replaced by a "DELCO-REMY" combined ignition/light switch with no key.This light switch also worked the ignition.
CJP'S 29
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Shade Tree Mechanic
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Hi, The oil pressure needle should rest on zero when not in use.The gauge could be broken as it appears to be on max pressure.
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If the instrument cluster is laid flat as in the 1st picture,the oil pressure gauge needle will go straight over to max pressure reading.If it is stood up in its normal working position,the gauge will return to zero,as due to the construction of the gauge,the needle will float back & forth if it's not in its proper working position. 
CJP'S 29
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Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
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Thanks for all your speedy replys and help confirming the identity of this gauge cluster. Now one more thing if you will.
Help me set a value on the cluster as a whole that would not only put a few dollars in my pocket but would also be fair to the buyer also. I'm not looking to make a killer profit off this one piece but then again I'm not ready to just give it away either.
So far I've seen similar speedometers selling separately in the $50-$100 range and one separate amp meter/oil pressure gauge for $90. This conflicted with the price of $100 for an entire cluster but it had an oval speedometer and looked like one out of a sedan instead of a truck. I know these were prices asked and not sale prices realized so if anybody has any suggestions I'd like to hear them.
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Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
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As I said in my original post the needle in the oil pressure gauge moves from side to side when you tilt the cluster. It does seem to get stuck sometimes and you can hear something rattling a little when lightly shaking but I think that's the amp meter needle tapping the glass.
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Chevrolet had at least two sources for their oil pressure gauges in 1927 and other years. The gauge pictured (TM co.) is from Tiffany Mfg. Co., Newark N.J.. Chevrolet also used gauges from a company named Sterling. The fact that the Tiffany gauge reads full scale and will move to the opposite end of the scale may not be a problem as this gauge does not have a direct solid link between the gauge bellows and the needle. The needle has an offset arm that rides a simular arm from the bellows, but they are not directly connected together. The Sterling oil pressure gauge uses a circular bellows that is directly connected to the gauge needle and it (the needle) will not float around with changes in position as the Tiffany gauge will.
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Grease Monkey
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Grease Monkey
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Thanks Oldie, that basically confirms what CJP's 29 said about the oil pressure gauge too so hopefully there isn't anything wrong with it. The amp meter gauge above it is a Sterling gauge and the needle on it does stay fixed in the middle. It will wiggle "slightly" but not very much. Just enough that it looks like it's vibrating.
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All of the original truck clusters I have seen at least from 27-28 1 tons do not have keys.
28 Chevy LO Capitol 1 ton, 28 National 2 dr coach, 71 Chevy Custom Camper 3/4 ton. Also 23 Oldsmobile Economy truck and a 24 Olds sport touring.
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Have a look in a 1928 Master parts book Bob,and it will show you the switches in question.All Australian 1 ton trucks from 1926-28 had the key in the middle of the light switch lever(REMY type),this switch was then superceded by a DELCO-REMY switch that had the ignition function as the first position to the right of off on the switch. 
CJP'S 29
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The characters 1-D-28 likely refer to date of manufacture, i.e. 1st April 1928, suggesting it was likely for a 1928 production model.
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The production date may indicate an early 1928 LO series 1 ton truck,as the oil pressure gauge reads a max pressure of 25 psi,whereas the LP trucks had a oil pressure gauge that read a max pressure of 30psi. 
CJP'S 29
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I have an original unrestored unmolested 28 LO 1 ton... no key. Dad has an original unrestored but dismantled 28 LP 1 ton...no key. All 27 cars I have seen have keys. Trucks, no keys.
28 Chevy LO Capitol 1 ton, 28 National 2 dr coach, 71 Chevy Custom Camper 3/4 ton. Also 23 Oldsmobile Economy truck and a 24 Olds sport touring.
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Bob,get hold of a 1928 Master Parts Price list(I'm sure the Filling Station would have re-prints of them),then go to page 140.Have a look at part # 351966.This is the description as per my copy: Sup.,U,C,N Lighting and Ignition Switch,with Choke Tube (Series K,M,R,V,X)(Series AA,AB 1/2 ton Truck,LM,LO) Price ........$1.50 Step forward to a 1940 edition Chevrolet Parts list,and this is the listing for the switch which superceded part #351966: Sup.,U,C,N Lighting and Ignition Switch(Series K,M,R,V,X, LM,LO,AA 1/2 Ton Truck,and AB 1/2 Ton Truck This switch is part Number #361654 The light switch for 1927 passenger cars is listed in the '28 Master Parts Price list thus:; C Lighting Switch and Choke Rod Tube(Series AA Pass.Cars) Part #343985 1927 passenger cars have keys that work the steering column lock.The ignition switch is a flick switch that is part of the steering column lock assembly underneath the dash panel. P.S. The early switches with the key in the centre of the light switch lever were made by either REMY or CLUM,and the later ccombination ignition/light switch which superceded the earlier one was made by either DELCO-REMY or CLUM.
Last edited by CJP'S 29; 07/15/12 05:55 PM.
CJP'S 29
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The '27 Passenger and '28 Passenger had the steering column keyed lock and coasting switch (ignition switch). There is no need for an ignition switch as part of the light switch. Since the trucks used a steering column more like the '25 passenger without the lock and ignition switch combination it was necessary to use either a ignition/light switch combination or other ignition switch.
How Sweet the roar of a Chevy four!
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Perhaps Bob needs to get in touch with the Tech adviser for trucks from the '20's,Chipper.I'm sure he'd put him straight. 
CJP'S 29
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