Thanks for the insight... I was kind of thinking that it wasn't possible for so many of the instruments to malfunction at the same time if it wasn't a common electrical issue, which, as I said, my mechanic doesn't think it is.
I've been told to check the wire to the engine temp sender, between piston 2 and 3, under the intake manifold and that a fried wire is usually the problem, not the gauge. Does this make sense to anyone? Also what about the ODOMETER??? The speedo works, but the odometer doesn't, even though they are part of the same gauge. HELLLLLLLPPPPPPP MEEEEEEE. Thanks again.