My 1973 914 with 2.0 liter 1974 GA engine came with a non original combined temp and oil pressure gauge. At first glance it looks like a normal VDO gauge, maybe for 911 original but looking closer it seems the letters and numbers are hand painted or some sort of transfer decals. There is no item number and at the back there is also no number or date stamp. Could this be custom made by someone? Here are some pictures







This is the sensor that is installed



The temp meter works but the pressure meter works only from time to time and sometimes drops all the way down or jumps up to the maximum. I took it out and replaced it with an original fuel gauge with just the pressure warning light and a 60mm temp gauge in the console.

Maybe someone can tell me more about this gauge?

This is a 911 gauge. Nice upgrade to your gauges but obviously non 914 stock if you are a purist. If your car is a 73 2.0, then it should have the center console with the oil temp gauge. A wire could have been extended from that gauge to the 911 gauge for the temperature part of the 911 gauge.

The cylindrical sender you have on the engine is a typical upgrade 914 owners i stall to get the oil pressure readout. This being the two pole sender (one is for oil pressure, one is for low pressure warning light). This sender needs to be grounded which seems to be the case via this brown wire you have near it. You might want to check how good of a ground you have there as this might be the cause for the bouncing gauge.

Thanks Montreal914 so this is an original 911 vdo gauge? No part number on the gauge is correct and the somewhat unsteady lettering is normal?

I am not so much of a purist but prefer the stock set up with the temp gauge in the centre console so planning to go back to that. The jumpy pressure gauge and the pressure light on at idle only makes me nervous when driving ;-).

That really isn’t a good ground.

Wire loosely wrapped around the fitting and the fitting partially insulated by teflon tape or pipe dope isn’t going to ground.

Fix the ground and your gauge instability should go away.

The gauge is “custom”.
911 gauges don’t have the silver dot in center of the gauge.
911 gauge will have 911 part number visible under bezel when viewed at an angle
Agree that lettering is transfer decals and not VDO screen print

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Quick test/fix.
Take the ground wire off of the brass fitting.
Loosen the rubber coated clamp
Shove bare wires under clamp directly against the metal housing of the sender.
Tighten clamp.

What's up with the weird letters?

I agree, those look wrong to me.

Thanks everyone! Not so much looking for a fix as I am already planning to go back to the stock set up but I think you are all right and the ground can be done better and would probably fix the issue but as I already replaced the gauge (that's why I have it out now :-)) this is not relevant anymore.

I am more interested in finding out more about the gauge and if this would be a DIY job or if it looks like it is customized by a professional shop. Would this have similar value to standard temp pressure gauge?

Use a braided steel hose and lose the ground wire. Problem solved.

Unless you go back to stock sender (idiot light pressure switch) mounted in the case, metal to metal, you’ll need still a good ground.

If you put the “custom” gauge up for sale in forum it will move pretty quickly despite the quirks.

This is a 1970-71 911 oil gauge. 1969 was very similar in design but without that vertical symbol at the top, which gives it a nicer look (personal opinion (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )

Like the 70-73 914 gauges, 911 gauges had silver dot from their first appearance in 69 (black) until the switch in style in 74 both on the 911 and 914s.

Not sure why you guys are saying this is custom. Seems to me it’s just in need of nice restoration. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I personally think it is a nice addition to the 914 dash but it does require a separate fuel gauge.

Edit: also important to know is that the dual sender low pressure is set higher that the stock sender, hence probably why you get that flicking light at idle. I forget the numbers but it’s documented here on 914World. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

I stand corrected - for some reason I don’t recall the silver dot 911 gauges

I’m blaming it on old age (IMG:style_emoticons/default/chair.gif) Thank you for edgumacating me on 911 history!


Curious though - on OPs gauge, is there a 911 part number up under the bezel?

it is a stock 69-73 911 combo gauge. You can see the numbers in the 12 o'clock position.

Thanks again everyone! No part number at 12 o clock so I am suspecting this is maybe restored at some point? I was hoping someone would recognize the work but I guess it's to generic and no identification numbers or logo at all.

My 914 had this gauge and a separate 912 fuel gauge at the console but as I prefer the cleaner look with the 3x 60mm gauges in the console I am going back to this and will probably sell the combo gauge and 912 fuel gauge to fund the 60mm gauges (already found a temp gauge now just need a clock as this currently is also a 912 clock)