1955 Dash With V8

I purchased a new omix-ada dash. It had the mountng holes, speedo, and glove box holes cut out and I added the ignition, light switch, wiper wiring, and grab handle holes. My question is do I need more gauges since converting to a V8? I'm also wondering about the hand throttle and choke cable. I want to put these in even if I don't use them. Do I need them? I'm trying to keep the dash as close to original as possible but if I need a gauge for safety, I'll add it.

 

When I changed to a V8 in mine, I added a manual oil pressure gauge because the factory must have felt it was unnecessary and didn’t provide one.

 

Thanks, oldriginal. Did you hook up the hand throttle and choke cables?

 

No, just tucked the cables up behind the dash. Couldn’t have open holes.

 

That's what I was thinking of doing. I figured with the V8, there was no need for either. I want to keep the switches for a stock look

 

It doesn't matter what engine you have, if you want to know what your oil pressure is, install a gauge.
As far as the cables go, again it doesn't matter what engine, only if your chosen carb has a manual choke or not. Most two or four barrel carbs for a v8 don't have a hand throttle provision but it wouldn't be difficult to fabricate something to hook it up if you so desire.

 

You can hang gauges on a bracket under the bottom edge of the dash instead of cutting holes in. Even with a V8, I still prefer a manual choke, so the contol cable in the stock location in the dash works well.
-Donny