It was 1983 when we bought our first 1967 Barracuda. By 2004 we had owned six of these cars (still own two). Four of the six had the same problem... the gauge readings were wrong. Even after a new engine was installed in one the oil pressure reading remained low. We never knew when we might run out of gas either.
It wasn't until April 2006 and only after I ran out of gas (again) and found myself stopped in a blind curve with a left rear corner still in the road that I decided... THIS MUST BE FIXED !
Through research I learned these rallye gauge panels have their instrument voltage regulator built inside the fuel gauge housing.
My first task was to create a substitute voltage regulator to be placed somewhere outside the fuel gauge and connected to the circuit. With some much needed help from my brother, who has a degree in electronics, the DeMonIVR unit was developed.
My second task was to remove the original regulator bits from inside the fuel gauge. I've always been pretty good with my hands but I can't claim the skills of a surgeon or jeweler. There are small and fragile parts in these gauge housings. The solution found was to build a fixture that would secure the housing positioned in such a way that I can open it, remove those regulator bits, and close it again without doing harm to the gauge, needle, or movement.
Since that time I have added a "DeMon" unit to that fixture as power supply , along with a fuel sender assembly, a mirror, and an ohm meter. This allows me to check and calibrate the gauge while it is mounted.
I proceeded to gather several of these rallye fuel gauges during the past year with intent to offer a repair or exchange program for other rallye gauge panel owners (see Services page for details).
The fact that our DeMonIVR unit is universal means we are enjoying more accurate gauge readings in all of our older vehicles and you can too.
