VN Calias V8 - Speedo required?

[Mudgy]

Hello everyone

Scored a VN V8 Calais for a donor to power a '37 hot rod.

Will be using engine/trans (4 spd auto) + all wiring & fans/heater, maybe column and pedals/MC too.

Have plans to use a Dakota Digital instrument cluster.

Will the older VN's work ok with cruise/etc. if I use a non GMH speedo?

Want to use the fuel tank/pump, too.

'37 Dodge sedan vehicle

'83 Jag front + rear susp.

'90 VN heart/lung/brain.



comments welcome.

Cheers Mudgy..

 

[mr calais 5.0]

If your using all the wiring and most of the parts then I would use the factory cruise control as well.. What color is the Calais?

 

[Mudgy]

Thanks. I'll be using everything possible. All the heater & A/C (this one has climate control), column + combination switch, ALL the wiring front to back.
Obviously I'll need to make new switchgear for wipers/lights, etc.

Here's the Calais

Here's the last victim...donated its arms & legs

All bits ending up in here

Hope to have a green one of these one day

Cheers

 

[Mudgy]

Hello,
Does anyone have a set of standard rocker covers for the VN 5.0 litre?

I posted in the "wanted" section. PM me if you have a set you want to sell. The Left one on my engine has a hole rubbed through it.

I'm on NSW Central Coast. I can Pick up from Sydney to Newcastle, but if you're further away, we'll chat about freight.

Cheers, Mudgy

 

[Mudgy]

Hi all,

I got myself a new PS pump off ebay..... specs said it was for a VN V8..... Once mounted, the belt alignment was way off.

Had to make some 6mm or thereabouts spacers for it.....and 3 x new longer bolts.
At least this way if I ever need another one, the spacers can be ditched, or I'll make new ones. All this because the pulley was installed
at the wrong spot.

Just saying, check your stuff before blindly accepting it's right for the job.

Cheers, Mudgy

 

[hsvwgn]

The pump is correct, you had to use spacers as you are not running the bigarse a/c bracket!

 

[Mudgy]

No mate, I still have the alloy AC mount, it uses a third vee belt - and in no way affects the position of the PS pump. I sourced an engine mount for non-AC equipped commodore, I'll use an AC pump (all electric) from a hybrid vehicle and install it in the boot. Plain and simple, the vendor buggered up the pulley placement.

Think of it this way.... back in 1990, if I ordered a brand new VN with or without aircon, the PS system is independent, and universal. OEM's wouldn't waste $$$$ on 2 x PS systems when one will suffice across the board.

Cheers, Mudgy