How To Restore and Detail an Original Gauge Cluster

[chakah]

I know what's next on my "to do" list now. Thank you astronaut, this is a great write up. Very well in detail man.

[speedy_steve]

Looking forward to this exercise!

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by 64shortc10

How much you charge for a 64-66 cluster with tach, and clock installed? The tachs work with hei distributor don't they? You do such nice work!Thanks
Tony from Norcal

Thanks Tony, I'll send you a PM about your cluster. I'm not sure about the factory or aftermarket tachs working with an HEI. I searched and found a topic about that, stated that you may have to use a tach filter in the wiring. For a clock, Jason at Greenback has the most factory-appearing clocks I've seen. I haven't tried a clock yet myself.

Here's that thread.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=376080

Originally Posted by VonDog

Hey astronaut, thanks soooo much for this thread!!! I rebuilt mine in my 60 K-20 about a month ago and it's Awesome! Now the speedo and odometer work and the fluorescent red is spot on! This site is so fricken cool!!! Thanks again!

Glad the thread was a help, and your cluster turned out great!

Originally Posted by chakah

I know what's next on my "to do" list now. Thank you astronaut, this is a great write up. Very well in detail man.

Originally Posted by speedy_steve

Looking forward to this exercise!

Thanks dudes!!

[OldSchool66]

Your previous post are great. However, I am hoping that you can shine a light on how to remove the bezel and cluster from the opening. All of my switches and screws are removed, and the dang thing will not come out. The cab and steering column are already painted, so I am trying my best not to scratch the crap out of the column. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Budman56]

Originally Posted by OldSchool66

Your previous post are great. However, I am hoping that you can shine a light on how to remove the bezel and cluster from the opening. All of my switches and screws are removed, and the dang thing will not come out. The cab and steering column are already painted, so I am trying my best not to scratch the crap out of the column. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

the process is as follows remove or loosen the 4 bolts the hold up the steering column, most likely you will need to remove then lower the column. remove all 5 screws from the face of the bezel, then remove the speed od cable, disconnect the wiring harness from the two connectors. take out all the switches, this is where it get difficult, you will have to get under the dash with a screw driver and slightly bend down the tabs to make clearance so that the cluster will come out. this is where the cluster always hangs up take your time and you will get it out with out scratching your column.

[ol_skool_chevy]

Anyone know where to find a decal for a 64-66 clock?........Green ______, something made one but says he does not make one "for sale"..

[theastronaut]

Finally received the lens and background decal so I could assemble the cluster.

[duallyjams]

Dang it now I want one.

[Hardrockz28]

Just finished mine
Great info thru out his subject made it easy

[Ghernandez66]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

Finally received the lens and background decal so I could assemble the cluster.

Can you pm me a price to rebuilt mine with gauges ?

[tigerburns]

Hey theastronaut, I am new to C10 ownership and new to this forum. The gauge cluster on my '65 is in pretty rough shape, so I clicked your thread out of curiosity. Then, I see that you are also in SC...I am in Greenville.

What would you charge to recondition a cluster for me? Feel free to PM me.

[theastronaut]

At this time I'm not taking in any clusters to restore. I have the engines out of two of my daily drivers, trying to get those back together. Appreciate the interest though!

[Boedean1981]

After seeing this thread I took it upon myself to do ours. With the help of the colors listed I was able to put out a nice product from what I had.

[Slambone]

Where did the get the factory air gauge? How many bulbs are there? I got a harness that has 7 bulbs. Is that correct?

[jetboat 4]

i got this gauge cluster with my truck, i see every one has a 5000 rpm tach this has 8000 looks factory, hopr to us this in my "66"

[Vortech]

Planning to use the overspeed and tandem lock on my instrument cluster. Where can i source 2 bulb holders?

[MikeN]

I'd like to buy the gauge face deals from Jason Wilson at Green Back decals, linked on page 1 here, but there is a problem with his website. It's blocked from my work PC, and when I go there on my iPad it tries to force me to download an Adobe flash player. I'm simply not interested in playing any click bait games. Does anyone have a phone number or email for the guy?

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by MikeN

I'd like to buy the gauge face deals from Jason Wilson at Green Back decals, linked on page 1 here, but there is a problem with his website. It's blocked from my work PC, and when I go there on my iPad it tries to force me to download an Adobe flash player. I'm simply not interested in playing any click bait games. Does anyone have a phone number or email for the guy?

I'm pretty sure Adobe Flash and Apple/Safari are incompatible so that's why it won't pull up on your iPad. I had no problem viewing his website on my PC but it never has worked on my iPhone. The email listed on his website is parklane410@hotmail.com. If I remember correctly he sometimes works out of the US so he may be hard to reach at times. LMC sells his decals if you can't contact him directly.

[Slambone]

Originally Posted by Vortech

Planning to use the overspeed and tandem lock on my instrument cluster. Where can i source 2 bulb holders?

I have a couple of them. PM me and I'll give them to you.

[MikeN]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

I'm pretty sure Adobe Flash and Apple/Safari are incompatible so that's why it won't pull up on your iPad. I had no problem viewing his website on my PC but it never has worked on my iPhone. The email listed on his website is parklane410@hotmail.com. If I remember correctly he sometimes works out of the US so he may be hard to reach at times. LMC sells his decals if you can't contact him directly.

Thanks man!

[theastronaut]

**Update on foil lining the tubes**

I pulled the cluster out of my '66 yesterday to clean it up and lube the speedometer that was chirping. I put in new bulbs and foil taped the light tubes while I was in there which really helped brighten them up... Just drove it home and the red plastic high beam indicator lens melted after driving with the high beams on for awhile. I pulled the bulb out and it looked fine, so I think the foil insulates the tube and heat builds up more- enough to melt the red plastic lens. I'll pull it apart to check into it further tomorrow. So it might not be a good idea to line the tubes that will be continually lit long enough to build up any heat. It works great in the turn signal tubes though. I'll post my findings once I get it apart.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by theastronaut

**Update on foil lining the tubes**

I pulled the cluster out of my '66 yesterday to clean it up and lube the speedometer that was chirping. I put in new bulbs and foil taped the light tubes while I was in there which really helped brighten them up... Just drove it home and the red plastic high beam indicator lens melted after driving with the high beams on for awhile. I pulled the bulb out and it looked fine, so I think the foil insulates the tube and heat builds up more- enough to melt the red plastic lens. I'll pull it apart to check into it further tomorrow. So it might not be a good idea to line the tubes that will be continually lit long enough to build up any heat. It works great in the turn signal tubes though. I'll post my findings once I get it apart.

Rats! I thought I had a good idea but what you say makes sense too. Are you using standard bulbs? Well, at least it can be used with the turn signals. Thanks for the feedback.

[theastronaut]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Rats! I thought I had a good idea but what you say makes sense too. Are you using standard bulbs? Well, at least it can be used with the turn signals. Thanks for the feedback.

I was using standard 1895 (going from memory) bulbs. Still a great idea for the turn signals, makes them much easier to see in the daytime.

[MikeN]

For those of us without a blasting cabinet, is there any other good way to clean the housing and the bezel before re-painting?

[lonestar308]

Originally Posted by MikeN

I'd like to buy the gauge face deals from Jason Wilson at Green Back decals, linked on page 1 here, but there is a problem with his website. It's blocked from my work PC, and when I go there on my iPad it tries to force me to download an Adobe flash player. I'm simply not interested in playing any click bait games. Does anyone have a phone number or email for the guy?

I'm interesting in seeing Jason's work as well, but the link to his website as posted is a dead link....anyone have a good link to his website?