Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

[Timothy B.]

I am soon to tackle one of the things I have been wanting to do for some time, and that is to remove and cleanup my inst cluster. I did some quick checking and it seems that the price to have this done by sending it out is way more than I want to spend. Therefore, I will do this work myself. I am already up to speed on the removal procedure. Once I have it out, my goal is disassembly and cleaning, lubrication of key parts, and stripping/painting the pot metal housing. Can the forum offer any advice as to specific things that I should make sure I do while I have things apart? What specific parts should I order in advance that will need to be replaced for example. I know I need all instrument lights, but what are the other standard things to replace? Seals, gaskets, filters, etc, etc.? Tricks from your experiences?

Also, I may disassemble the steering column while I have it out too. Is disassembly and cleaning of the standard 67 column difficult and/or required since it appears to function fine. I have a small amount of side to side play on the top end of the shaft but not much. Maybe just an adjustment? Is bearing replacement recommended or required for a car this age?

Thanks folks!

Tim

[Timothy B.]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

And by the way, everything in the cluster now works fine - just needs cleanup primarily. Instrument faces are fine and needles are fine.

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

Hey Tim.
I stripped and repainted my cluster. Since it is chrome plated I found I had to use a self etching primer on it first to get the Krylon 1613 to stick well. Mask what you can but the trick I found in the archives was to just spray it and then use a rag wrapped around your finger with a little solvent on it and wipe off the exposed chrome areas. It worked very slick.

As far as your steeering column, I rebuilt mine. The top bearing may be worn causing your noted movement but what I researched an found was that the acutal housing gets worn and allows the bearing to move. You need to confirm your problem. New top bearing is only like $13-15. In my case the upper column housing was worn so before installing the new bearing I wiped a little JB weld
on the ID of the column and let that dry. Bearing fit nice and snug after that.
The bottom bearing was shot and the column shaft had lots of wear (grooved)where the bearing worn it. I sent it out and had the shaft hard chromed.

[Timothy B.]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

Thanks Scott, where did you get your bearing from? Also, your trick to wipe the chrome areas with solvent - was that done while it was still wet after each coat or after you have sprayed all coats and allowed it to dry?

[Scott Marzahl]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

Got the bearings from Long Island and wiped the paint right after I sprayed it.

[Wayne K.]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

Tim,

If the current paint is not lifting you may want to consider not stripping it. Use a paint prep with a tooth brush to clean the paint. Then use a soft wire or copper brush to scuff up the old paint. A Scotch pad works too but the brush gets into the cracks. You don't want to scratch the paint, just scuff it. Use the prep-Sol to clean again then tack and paint.

Wayne

[bill stephenson]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

-------I agree with Wayne. If the black finish is still the factory finish, albeit worn, it makes a good base for the new paint.
-------Also, you can use a fresh razor and literally trim the paint off the edges of the cluster to show the chrome edges after the paint has dried awhile. I usually mask off the outer perimeter. You actually can scrape the paint off the letters with the razor if you are careful and they come out great. Trust me!..........Bill S

[Timothy B.]

Re: Instrument cluster/column refurb advice

Well, with my column out there is some play in the bottom bearing also. Thing is, I have an early 67 car, and the parts for it are not so cheap. From LI, the lower is like $40 and the upper $25. I should just let them manage my bank account...:-)