Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Thanks for sharing :gi:

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

I always enjoy your work. For a young guy you have great skills and an eye for detail.

If you have a bezel that the lower center screw hole is cracked, what do you do to fix it?

I will be doing mine this year, but mine is only the idiot light version so I will have less work to do :lol:..

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

I've never repaired one that was cracked, but it would probably be best to grind out the crack completely to keep it from spreading. Thick two part epoxy might work to fill the gap since there isn't much strain on that area. I don't think it can be welded since it's pot metal.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Thanks, I've never seen that FAQ list! I've seen others on here but completely missed the one for my "home" 60-66 section.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Awesome tutorial! I had planned on replacing mine with a Dakota cluster but after seeing this I'm going to do a restore first. I just hope I can come close to the fine job you do on these.

Still waiting to hear a source for the tach. I know you aren't done with the tutorial but hope you include that info.

Thanks!

Scott

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Thanks! Jason at Greenback Decal custom built the tach for me. It looks stock but has a 10k range instead of the original 5k. He used my original block off plate and he supplied the tach guts, made the 10k decal using original colors and fonts, and calibrated the tach to the new face. Original style 5k tachs are available from places like LMC, Brothers, and Classic Parts.
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Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Thanks! I found the tach at LMC. Didn't see that there before!

Adding up the parts and material costs it looks like it could exceed 400 easy with the tach cost being the biggest expense. Adding a clock/air/vacuum gauge to the other side will bring it up even more.

Less than a new cluster from Dakota and original. Both good things depending on your taste.

Scott

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

LMC will probably be the most expensive. Shop around and I think you'll find one cheaper. I imagine they're all made by the same manufacture. You're not kidding about cost adding up; I'll have around $600 in this one not counting the donor cluster or the Air gauge that I already had.
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Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Anyone ever source out a clock that would fit into a restored gauge cluster like these?

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Awesome write up!
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Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Thank You for the write up.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

This is pretty cool. I've been looking for this kind of info.

By the way, you don't have to get a new lens if you're just dealing with surface scratches on plexiglass. There are all sorts of products that will polish that stuff out of plastic. You don't even need the expensive headlight repair kits. A polishing wheel on a grinder and a plastic buffing and polishing compound would work better.

The only issue is when the plastic is cracked on a gauge cluster. There are ways to "repair" that, but none will be flawless, and when they don't make a repop lens for your gauge, it's a bear.

My lens actually has a crack in it, as well as scratches. I can replace it with clear plexiglass, but the numbers and things that are engraved into the plastic will be lost, and I've been exploring options on how to reproduce that.

I could design a stencil on the computer and reproduce those things with a flat painted look, but it won't look original.

I could find someone with a cnc machine, but that doesn't allow someone to do it in their own house unless they have one, and it would possibly end up more expensive than just finding an old gauge cluster in decent shape.

I'm not sure what could be done in such a situation, but it would be nice to figure something out.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

[/QUOTE] I could design a stencil on the computer and reproduce those things with a flat painted look, but it won't look original.

I could find someone with a cnc machine, but that doesn't allow someone to do it in their own house unless they have one, and it would possibly end up more expensive than just finding an old gauge cluster in decent shape.

I'm not sure what could be done in such a situation, but it would be nice to figure something out.[/QUOTE]



Take it to a JEWELER that has an engraving system or a Laser Engraver.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

The lettering on the original lens isn't engraved, it's just printed straight onto the plastic. The main reason for replacing the lens is to get rid of the faded letters and have the correct pale green coloring. Even if hazing and scratches can be sanded and buffed out, the color will still be faded. Jason at Greenback Decal can reprint the lens, and also modify the lettering. He is currently working on a 160 mph lens for the cluster I'm rebuilding.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Pic of the color difference.

http://i557.photobucket.com/albums/s...C44BA2FDC5.jpg

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

I should have made it clear that I was talking about the 1962 lens. It is engraved. If not, I could have made a stencil and painted the new piece myself.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

I have 2 62 dash clusters one with a tac, and one that can be modified to insert a tac. How rare is the factory tac in a 60-63 truck? I see the 64-66 on FEEBAY but never 60-63.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

I didn't know that about the early lenses, I've only had 64-66 clusters.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Wiring harness details added.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

FYI....Echlers Vete site has orginial non adheasive tape for wrapping harness

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

I think those tachs are pretty rare although the 64-66 are pretty hard to find as well. I believe the '62 tach will need a sending unit.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Thanks Woog, I enjoyed doing it! I was already going through the cluster so it wasn't that much more work to put this together. I appreciate you adding it to the FAQ, and also all the work you've put into the FAQ.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Subscribed and agree with everything Woogeroo wrote!

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Nice Job. Thanks for your effort.

Re: How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster
 

Great write up!!