Coolerman, I think I can come up with a good thermometer. Thanks for telling me where to put it. (I'd have probably tried to stick it on the sender and then wondered why my truck was running at 80 degrees.)
gmarshall7, I should have tried that. d'oh!
Thanks for the ideas guys. The fuel...
Spoke too soon: the fuel gage is still pegging at full. Not that I don't wish that were true.
I finally got to the sending unit (man that thing is deep back in there) and unclipped it, cleaned it with a toothbrush and hooked it back up, and pulled the instrument cluster a third time to make...
OK, got the fuel gauge working again. Coolerman, you were right: the circular connector was partially disconnected. Unfortunately, the engine temp gage still spikes the second I start the engine up, just idling. The radiator is hot but touchable and the engine block doesn't feel much more...
'78 40.
OK, so I'd like to pull the cluster, but when I got it about an inch out I felt a lot of resistance. Is it safe to keep yanking or should I disconnect the steering wheel and try to disconnect the speedometer from underneath?
The oil pressure and amp gauges work fine, it's just temp...
OK, so I got my no-banana self into trouble again. I was going to pull my instrument cluster, and disconnected the lead from the battery, unscrewed the retaining screws and started to pull it out, but got a lot more resistance that I was comfortable with. I assumed it was the speedometer cable...