I'm installing a console pod in my 68 using AutoMeter gauges. No factory gauges in the car. Where's the best place to tap into the following power circuits under the dash?

1. Ignition (switched) power. Using this to power the gauges.
2. Constant power. Using this for the new clock.
3. Lights On power. Want to use this to supply gauge lighting.

What color wires can I tap into under the dash, or where can I connect on the fuse box?

Since (I assume) you have an original console, the wires will be there, for the most part if it is or was an automatic car.

The white wires that go to the shift indicator lights work for your gauge illumination, and will get lighter or brighter when you rotate the headlight switch.

The "power input" wire for the backup light switch will work for the guage power and voltmeter. I think it's pink, check it with a meter or test light, should be hot in "run".

For the clock, you need "always on" and that's not there. If you look up between the dash carrier and the center dash, find an orange wire. That's you cigarette lighter power, and it's alway hot, you just have to bring it into the console.

JimM,
Nope... It's a manual transmission.
Only two wires running through my console. One orange, and one white. They run to a lamp (or what appears to have been a lamp at one time) in the rear of the console. I get 12V "always on" across these wires.

Any other suggestions for switched power and illumination wiring? Maybe in the wiring from the steering column.

JimM,
Nope... It's a manual transmission.
Only two wires running through my console. One orange, and one white. They run to a lamp (or what appears to have been a lamp at one time) in the rear of the console. I get 12V "always on" across these wires.

Any other suggestions for switched power and illumination wiring? Maybe in the wiring from the steering column.

The orange wire is the power feed for the courtesy light. It will serve for your clock, it always has power (should go to a courtesy light in the back of the console, below the ashtry.)

You'll have to go under the dash for what you need then. Both went to the original radio, you should find them around there. Again, now you got me second guessing myself, at work with the references of course... I'm thinking dah illumination is GRAY, not white like I said at first. (someone confirm??) The other is yellow (for this one, there is a spare spade connection on the fusebox labelled "IGN" if you prefer to do that.

I'm installing a console pod in my 68 using AutoMeter gauges. No factory gauges in the car. Where's the best place to tap into the following power circuits under the dash?

1. Ignition (switched) power. Using this to power the gauges.
2. Constant power. Using this for the new clock.
3. Lights On power. Want to use this to supply gauge lighting.

What color wires can I tap into under the dash, or where can I connect on the fuse box?
1. use the IGN terminal at the fuse box, hot only when key is on
2. use the BAT terminal at the fuse box, hot all the time
3. use the LPS terminal at the fuse box, hot when parking or headlamps are on.

The is also a ACC terminal at the fuse box, hot with key in on or ACC position

Heres a pic http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=846

i got this jim been havin alot of pratice the pink in dash harness is alwas hot in "on" and grey is dash illum

Thanks guys. Wired them all this weekend. I used the existing orange & white for "always on" power in the console, and tapped into the ACC and LPS terminals on the fuse block for ignition power and illumination. Thanks again.