Help! Installing Autometer triple gauges A pillar

[BennyH]

Folks,
I need your help on installing the gauges.
Just received Autometer triple gauges A pillar cover for 2/16"(part no. 22120 for 94-95 Integra grey color).
I have Autometer Full Sweep Fuel Pressure Gauge, A/F ratio and Vaccum/Boost Gauges.
The Autometer installation instruction for the cover is really simple.
"Just drill four holes around the four corner and put their cover on top of the stock a pillar."
They also said the opening for the gauge is just a press fit.
I tried to press in the meter and it won't go in.
Did any of you guys encounter the same problem and how did you solve it?
I went to Home Depot and can't find any 3/16 inch brass barb T fitting to tab into the vaccum line. Where did you guys get your from?
Sorry for the long list of questions?
All your help is appreciated as I want to put the meters on ASAP to find out how my car is running.
Thanks,
Ben
PS. I am not really inpressed with the built quality of the plastic A pillar cover. The opening for the gauges is not smooth.
For $65 buck, I would expect they do a better job than this.
I prefer the sleeper look. If not for people on this board commenting on the bad quality of the automete instrumental bezel I would have bought that instead.
What is your guys take on this quality issue?

[This message has been edited by BennyH (edited November 21, 2000).]

[11psiGSR]

Hi BennyH,

I, like you, ordered the triple pillar for my 95 GSR. I was disapointed like you. So much so, I cancelled my intake temp gauge because I didnt want to use it.

The Integra gauge bezel wasn't much better, but I did use it.

Autometer should make matching guage faces for the stock gauges. Wouldn't it be cool to have "Ultra-lite" or "Phantom" faces for your stock gauges to match your autometer goodies.

Sorry, I'm just talking and havent helped your problem.

I know on my gauge pods, I had to hit the bolts on the back or the gauges with a cutting wheel to shorten them a bit.

Allan

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95 GSR (B18C1)
ENDYN modified JRSC @ 14lbs, 50 shot NOS, ENDYN pistons, ENDYN rods, ENDYN modified crank, ENDYN ported and polished head, ENDYN valves, valve springs and retainers, Kamikazee Header, Nakayama Intake, Brospeed Exhuast, Unorthodox Cam Gears, RC 310cc injectors, Bosch (ENDYN modified) fuel pump, STR rail, Hyper R, Moroso catch can, B&M oil cooler, J&S SafeGuard, MSD6BTM, Blaster coil, MSD Cap, ES mounts, ES tranny bushings, ACT 6 puck, Baer 13" brakes (front), Slotted/Xdrilled rear, Stainless lines, M/T for the track, blah, blah, blah......

[12SecGSR]

I use greddy guages in my a pillar (which are a little bigger than autometer), so I used a dremell tool to open the holes a little, the same should work for you...

the fit isn't perfect, but mine turned out pretty good, I also used rivets intead of screws like some people use and it looked better...

I get my brass T's at walmart in the live fish section $.99

[Holden]

Don't the bezels of the gauges cover the rough spots in the gauge holes?

Mine looks great.

I believe I had to Dremel out one of the holes to make the gauge fit. Don't get carried away, because they need to fit tight to stay in place.

I would recommend you do the following in order:

1) Get ALL wires routed up through the dash.

2) Insert gauges into gauge pod and wire them up completely.

3) Test that gauges work.

4) Test fit the gauge pod. (Put it in place, slipping it under the plastic moulding. Remember where it is in relation to the stock cover).

5) Remove stock A-pillar cover.

6) While removed, use clamps to hold the gauge pod on the stock cover in exactly the right place. (This is why you test fitted in place).

7) Drill the holes along the edge that is close to the window. Insert plugs. The other edge will be held in place by the moulding.

8) Reinstall the whole thing back onto the A-pillar.

Pictures and more details can be found on my website.

Good luck,

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Greg Holden
96 GSR, JSRC @6psi, AEM CAI/RSR 4-2-1/Greddy PE, Cartech 20005/Walbro GSS-342, KYB AGX/H&R OE Sport/ST 19mm Rear Swaybar
Best 1/4 ==> 13.937 @ 101.41mph
My JRSC Install Site

[BennyH]

Thanks for all the quick response.
This board really rock.
11psiGSR,
How do you like your instrumental bezel?
I guess it is too late for me as I am an impatient guy and I just can't wait another four weeks. It took that long for Autoparts.com to deliver my A pillar due to unit temporary out of stock. Is this thing that popolar?
I am just going to installed all the meter and be done with it.
By the way all my gauge is the ultra-lite series 2/16". It would be sweet if Autometer make stock gauge replacement.

12SecGSR,
I will visit Walmart after work today to obtain the T fitting.

Holden,
Thanks for the detailed instruction and tips.
I wish the staff at Autometer writing manual could learn a thing or two if they go through the installation themselves.
I may also borrow a heat gun from a friend of mine to heat up the gauge pod to fit the gauge in before I am going to trim it a little to make the gauge fit.
Are you saying don't drill holes at the side near the windshield but drill holes near the window instead. How does the molding hold the other edge? Execuse me for this dump question, I have not remove the stock A pillar yet. Just wanted to be clear as I don't make any mistake since drilling holes is not a reversible process.

Thanks you all. Anyone have more tips on how to install this is welcome to share their experiences.
Ben.
PS. Anyone know where I can get the 1/8 NPT T fitting to hook up both the Autometer Fuel Pressure Sending Unit and the B&M fuel pressure gauge.

[CivicR]

Hey dont use the heat gun...you will melt it...I installed the Autometer ultralite guages in my pillar...I didnt have to trim the holes at all...I did have to trim a little for my K&N rich/Lean guage...I used a utility knife and just shaved a little off at a time all the way aound the hole...I think the Dremel tool can get a little extreme and you might shave off a little to much or get the plastic to hot and melt the edges...I think the utility knife is better suited to this job since you only need to shave a little

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John
B18C1 Powered 95 Civic EX Coupe
H22A Powered 92 Civic VX Hatch(In the works)
88 CRX HF(Coming soon)

[BennyH]

CivicR,
Thanks for the tip. I also think the heat gun was too extreme after I post it in the message. Oftentime you though you got a great idea and only a moment later you found out how foolish that was.

Holden,
I saw the photo on your website about the install.
I think I can answer my own question.
Looks like you drilled the hols on the A pillar cover along the edge near the windshield. The molding near the window hold the other edge in place.

Ben

[Holden]

You got it.

Greg

[nexusone]

I have the dual gauge pod and its a piece of crap. First of all it didnt match the color of the stock a pillar, which pissed me off. The "stick 'em in and you're done" mounting method is so half ass that I would be embarassed to sell a product like that.

At any rate, I had the pod painted by a local body shop to match pretty close. And I drilled holes in my A pillar and used small bolts and nuts in four corners to sevure them together. I need to get two more at some point secure the middle as well, it has begun to sag a little.

I'm unimpressed by Autometer accessories.

The bastards won't even make a right side pod for me. Silly, there must be a market for them.



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'98 GSR JRSC with all sorts of high-performance, high-tech, overpriced stuff packed in all over the place.
http://www.donia.org/clandestine