GT6 MKII Gauge wiring with alternator conversion

[davecymru]

Hi all,

I've had a good search and read around the different threads and i've got a lot of good hints and tips, but nothing seems to meet what I'm experiencing so i thought it only wise to ask.

I've got a Sammio Spyder that has a GT6 MK2 engine and box fitted.  When i bought the donor i was told that it was a Vitesse MK2, but it turns out to have been a Herald 13/60 that was upgraded (at considerable cost!) in the 80's.
During the conversion to a Sammio i've had it all down to nuts and bolts and I'm now happy that everything mechanical is 'right' but when i bought it i didn't have any gauges so i had to buy a set.

I ended up completley rewiring the car as the previous alternator conversion had some..... interesting wiring mods!  So I'm now happy with how the Alternator etc is all wired in and i'm very familiar with the Triumph wring loom :) , but the one problem i've been having now that the car is on the road is that my fuel gauge over reads.  

Basically it stays on full for ages and then when it finally moves it only ever gets to just under 3/4 and then I'm empty.
My temperature gauge on the other hand seems fine and sits at between 1/4 and 1/2 during normal driving, rising to 1/2 and slightly over when stopped in traffic.

From the reading i've done on here so far they seem to be the later "damped" gauges and I have also been been reading about the regulator/stabiliser on the back of the speedo.

I didn't have one of those on the original gauges i bought and as i had the alternator conversion i simply assumed that i didn't need it.  (i know now i should have looked into it more!)

But i recently bought a replacement speedo and it did come with one so and now I'm starting to worry/wonder if i 'should' have it wired in and if that is causing my fuel gauge woe's?

But if so, why is the temp gauge working fine?

Any advise/guidance would be greatly appreciated!


Dave

[Dicky Blighter]

The gaugs are 10 volt not 12 and thats what the regulator is for so yo do need it. The standard ones on the back of the speedo are not that relaible as they use a b-metallic strip - much better to upgrade to solid state one - lots of sellers of these or you can make one for less than £1.

As an example
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Triumph-Spitfire-Herald-TR4-3-6-Dolomite-Gauge-Voltage-Regulator-Stabiliser-/180889619755?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2a1ddc8d2b

[davecymru]

Many thanks matey, the voltage stabilizer has been reinstated and the fuel gauge now reads correctly! :)

I've yet to take it for a run to test how the temperature gauge is reading, but seeing as the sun is out then as soon as i've been released from officialy family duties i'll be taking it for a blat over the levels to check it out :)