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I wanted to post an update on the burned up ammeter problem on my '41 Super Eight 160 coupe. We found a replacement ammeter at Max Merritt's and also a replacement front clear panel for the instrument cluster. We also replaced the burned cable and took the ammeter out of the circuit. (still haven't got it out yet, it is waiting until week after this one) The car runs fine with the cable replaced.

I had the replacement ammeter, which needed to be rebuilt anyway, rewired as a voltmeter. It will look the same, but it will indicate if the generator is charging, not the amps that the car's electrical system is drawing. I think that is safer.

The car is entered for the St Michael's Concours this fall, if I can get time off from work to attend it. Thanks to all for the help and advice and I will post again when we have had it all out of the dash and figured out what shorted the ammeter.

Glad to hear the progress. I'm wondering if you understand how to interpret ammeter readings. It does not just show what the car is drawing, it shows the net of draw versus charge. So (+) readings indicate that the charging system is providing more than the car's systems are drawing, the positive balance going to storage in the battery. A (-) reading indicates you are consuming more than the charging system is replenishing, resulting in a draw from the storage battery. A constant (-) reading would be indicative of a failure of the charging system.

IMO a voltmeter would be less informative than an ammeter, the ammeter tells you quite precisely at every moment if the net current flow is either TO or FROM the storage battery.