The new instrument cluster for my 1970 arrived this week. I finally got a chance to remove my old modified one and compare it with the new one. Very interesting. The black paint on the new one appears to be too glossy. Is it supposed to be semi-gloss black? Is this color readily available at K-mart or Walmart, etc? (Krylon semi-flat black #1613???)
Another big difference was the spring for the seat belt button. The new button supplied is slightly different than the original in shape (exact dimensions are slightly off) and finish. The original is shiny while the new button has a matte finish.
The new button retainer is of different configuration. I'll have to write a Restorer article on this to give all of you a better description of what I have observed. Basically it is a donut that slides over the button shaft from the back side of the bezel. It appears to be a light gray flat stamped steel ring. The original is black with four internal prongs that secure the button shaft.
The new spring for the button is zinc plated metal with a much lower spring constant with about twice as many coils as the original steel spring.
In order to make the seat belt lens fit in properly, I had to modify the new cluster bezel to accept the lens. (I prefer not to modify original parts like the original lens). I used a dremel tool to do this.
I photographed the buttons and components side by side before my 4-year old son lost the new spring. (That's OK, it felt like junk any way compared to the original spring.)
While I was at it, I removed the radio and repaired the loose ground. Hopefully this will fix my radio. As soon as I get the correct black paint, I will paint the masked bezel and proceed with installation. With modifications and reuse of old button and spring, the new instrument cluster will look as good as original.
Another big difference was the spring for the seat belt button. The new button supplied is slightly different than the original in shape (exact dimensions are slightly off) and finish. The original is shiny while the new button has a matte finish.
The new button retainer is of different configuration. I'll have to write a Restorer article on this to give all of you a better description of what I have observed. Basically it is a donut that slides over the button shaft from the back side of the bezel. It appears to be a light gray flat stamped steel ring. The original is black with four internal prongs that secure the button shaft.
The new spring for the button is zinc plated metal with a much lower spring constant with about twice as many coils as the original steel spring.
In order to make the seat belt lens fit in properly, I had to modify the new cluster bezel to accept the lens. (I prefer not to modify original parts like the original lens). I used a dremel tool to do this.
I photographed the buttons and components side by side before my 4-year old son lost the new spring. (That's OK, it felt like junk any way compared to the original spring.)
While I was at it, I removed the radio and repaired the loose ground. Hopefully this will fix my radio. As soon as I get the correct black paint, I will paint the masked bezel and proceed with installation. With modifications and reuse of old button and spring, the new instrument cluster will look as good as original.
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