67 instrument gauge face finish

[John M.]

I purchased an AC Delco Restoration 80 lb oil pressure gauge for the instrument cluster for the '67. I thought, great it is an AC Delco restoration part, well the black paint finish is flat, not semi-gloss like the original. Without searching for a NOS part that will cost 5 - 6x. Anyone know know of where you can find a correct restoration part?

[Leif A.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

John,
The ones from LIC and Paragon appear to be identical to the one you already have. Just a curiosity, if I may, why are you going from a 60# gauge to an 80# gauge?

[John M.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

Hi Leif,

Thank you for your investigation. Yes, it seems GM restoration parts has the paint finish wrong. I was surprised by that, but it is what it is.

I think I'm going to do some experimentation to to see it I can create a closer finish by painting some sample material with a flat black the matches the gauge surface and then covering it with a semi-gloss clear coat. If that works then I'll mask and spray the gauge with a clear coat. The indicator needle is not a direct match to the OEM either, but I can swap that from the OEM 60lb gauge.

[John H.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

Hi Leif,

Thank you for your investigation. Yes, it seems GM restoration parts has the paint finish wrong. I was surprised by that, but it is what it is.

There is no connection whatsoever between GM and GM Restoration Parts; reproduction suppliers wishing to use the GM Restoration Parts logo, sticker, label, box, and numbered tag apply through EMI (Equity Management, Inc.), pay a licensing fee up front, and then pay a royalty per piece sold to continue using the GMRP to help sell their part. GM is not involved in any way with the manufacturing, sale, or quality control of the parts.

[Bob W.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

John If the semi-gloss clear works let us know.

Bob

[John M.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

After further searching on this forum, I reached out to Bill Harrison (http://harrisonspeedometer.com/home.html). I have sent my original 60lb gauge to him for conversion to an 80lb. I returned the AC Delco restoration gauge for a refund.

[Leif A.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

After further searching on this forum, I reached out to Bill Harrison (http://harrisonspeedometer.com/home.html). I have sent my original 60lb gauge to him for conversion to an 80lb. I returned the AC Delco restoration gauge for a refund.

Still curious as to why??

[Larry M.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

Still curious as to why??

Probably because many of our small block cars have had replacement oil pumps with the HD spring. They run about 70 psig cold and 40-50 psig hot with correct viscosity oil.

I my case, I guess I could change the pump or pump spring, but after running this pump for over 30 years with no issues, I prefer to just leave it alone.

In my younger days I always went for the higher oil pressure due to street performance and racing. Felt that more oil pressure (to a point) was better than not enough..............although I realize that it did cost a few engine HP to drive the higher psi pump. Ran deep sump oil pans as well.

Larry

[Gene M.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

Truth be known the oil pressure in excess of 40 pound at high way speeds is only wasting power.

And yes most persons find that a Melling standard duty pump puts out far more than the original GM pump even with a "green" spring.

The new Melling is far better fit control thus the higher pressure. I suggest one seek an original GM pump or cut down the "green" Melling spring.

I was surprised nobody even looked at my original GM pump at Carlisle.

[John M.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

I'm converting my 60lb to 80lb because I [FONT=georgia, serif]have a base engine black on black number matching '67 coupe that I bought in 2003. When I bought it I knew it had been whacked in the right front corner sometime in its past. But I drove it and enjoyed it. After owning it for a while I determined the frame was still tweaked on the right side and wanted to get that sorted out (hence the need to pull the body). A year ago I began a body off rebuild of the car. I have had the frame straightened, stripped, derusted, fully welded, and powder coated. The body has had an entire new front clip put on it and fully stripped repaired, and repainted. So I'm now entering the re-assembly phase. So with that bit of back round, my re-build it not a restoration to factory spec. I'm converting it to a big block car, based on the ZL1 aluminum block using the L88 cold air induction hood, tremec TKO600, and many other heavy duty goodies from Duntov Motors. My over arching objective is to make a tribute car to Duntov, (my vision of what he would have done if he could do anything he wanted in '67). I'm keeping all the original number matching items, including the engine and the entire drivetrain so that if my kids or some else want to return it a matching number C60 car they can do it. So that is why I have changed the tach face, and need an 80lb gauge.

[Leif A.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

I'm converting my 60lb to 80lb because I [FONT=georgia, serif]have a base engine black on black number matching '67 coupe that I bought in 2003. When I bought it I knew it had been whacked in the right front corner sometime in its past. But I drove it and enjoyed it. After owning it for a while I determined the frame was still tweaked on the right side and wanted to get that sorted out (hence the need to pull the body). A year ago I began a body off rebuild of the car. I have had the frame straightened, stripped, derusted, fully welded, and powder coated. The body has had an entire new front clip put on it and fully stripped repaired, and repainted. So I'm now entering the re-assembly phase. So with that bit of back round, my re-build it not a restoration to factory spec. I'm converting it to a big block car, based on the ZL1 aluminum block using the L88 cold air induction hood, tremec TKO600, and many other heavy duty goodies from Duntov Motors. My over arching objective is to make a tribute car to Duntov, (my vision of what he would have done if he could do anything he wanted in '67). I'm keeping all the original number matching items, including the engine and the entire drivetrain so that if my kids or some else want to return it a matching number C60 car they can do it. So that is why I have changed the tach face, and need an 80lb gauge.

John,
Thank you for satisfying my curiosity...makes complete sense now. Best of luck on what sounds like a really cool project!

[Alan S.]

Re: 67 instrument gauge face finish

Hi John M,
It's interesting to read of someone taking a slight turn from a TFP restoration but still paying attention to the small details!!
NICE!
Regards,
Alan