1973 Dart Swinger. I am in the process of replacing my gauge panel with aftermarket gauges (finally) using the panel Sick6 made, and have encountered a couple of issues. I have to have the car back together by next weekend for the Redding races (I knew I should have started earlier)

1. since the original speedo cable had the plastic clip on to attach to the speedometer, and the autometer speedo has a screw-on attachment, I ordered a speedo cable for a 66 Dart, (part # ATP-Y803), it is 83" long. The ATP part no. for my 73 is ATP-Y881, 80" long, only 3" difference. However, when I pulled my cable, it measured out to be 68" long. I looked for other cables at other parts stores, all I came up with are the ATP, Pioneer cables (basically the same). NAPA has a 68" cable (part #BK6151659) for the 1973, but no cable for a 1966.

Is this car an oddball? or do they just make the aftermarket cables too long to piss me off?

So, I either, have a big loop into my engine compartment. Find a decent cable in a 66-67 Dart in good condition the right length this week or, Is it possible to cut this cable and crimp a new end?

2. I replaced the thermostat and housing. The old thermostat had a small hole (1/8") in the metal flange, the new one doesn't (it is a Stant). Is this a problem?

3. I have everything temporary wired for testing prior to final install. The blinkers/high beam indicator (aftermarket LED lights), gauge lights, headlights all work. What doesn't work are the oil light and brake light. Any ideas why these wouldn't work (they worked before). I hooked all of these to the wires that were in the round plug at the back of the dash, and all have a ground.
orange - dash/gauge lights
tan and lt green - blinkers
red - high beam
violet - temp (I ran a new wire)
dk blue - fuel gauge
gray - OIL LIGHT
black - BRAKE WARNING/e-brake light

4. My new oil pressure gauge is reading 100, the engine has a high volume pump, but this seems high. Is it? never had a oil pressure gauge in this before. I have the oil senders for the light and the gauge teed (this tee existed before I put the new gauge in, so there should be no change in the light).

5. My new autometer fuel gauge reads lower thant the Equus gauge I had been using, almost a 1/4 lower. The Equus gauge was pretty accurate, I had about 3/4 gallons of gas when I hit empty.

Any help or suggestions on part or all of this is appreciated.

check your pm about a speedo cable from a 66 dart