I just bought a 1983 Chevy Celebrity, low miles and in great condition. I don't like the volts and temp amps. I know real gauges were optional. If I can find some in a junkyard what is involved in swapping them. Do I also need new sensors too?

Yes, I can see that is a last resort option. The factory gauges are square; to fit round aftermarket ones, I'd have to mess up the dash. This car is totally original in every way and very well preserved, so I'd really like to go with original gauges. I think I will try to locate some in a local pick-and-pull and see how easy it is to remove that part of the dash.

Thanks for your reply. The coolant temperature lamp is either on or off. It gives no indication of the temperature. I live in very hot Arizona and don't feel secure with just the lamp. I need a gauge. The factory gauges are square and I cannot see any other gauge fitting the dash.

The type we are referring to is a set of gauges that mount under dash... All kinds of styles to choose from.. Google > automotive gauges and take a look at what's available at least... It's just a lot of involved labor to swap everything out like it should be to install 'in-dash' gauges! .. Up to you of course..

I did locate and remove from a junkyard a complete instrument cluster with the real volts and temp gauges. However, looking at the workshop manual, the printed circuits are different and also the sensors. I have not been able to find any other gauges that would fit. If I went that route, will I be able to use the original sensors or would I need new ones? Do the sensors have to be matched to the gauges? I cannot believe GM were so cheap as to design two completely different wiring systems just so they could give most people idiot lamps instead of real gauges. By the way the lamps don't 'work just fine'. My temp light appears off during the day but you can see it glowing at night.

®

I'm going to go back to the junkyard and see if I can remove the sensor that goes along with the gauge cluster. I'll also try removing the cluster from a car that has the idiot lamps and see if I can tell the differences.