63 instrument housing same as all C2?

[Edward G.]

Are all of the 63-67 instrument housings the same? My 63 instrument housing/panel is cracked where the left vent pull attaches, are all of the mid year panels the same or are there differences between 63-64 and 65-67?
Has any one repaired one using those aluminium braising rods. Do they have rods for pot metal.

Thanks

[Michael B.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

63-64 are different from later C2s.

[Joe R.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

63 Instrument Cluster Housings are a one year only as was 64 Cluster Housings. 5-67 are the same housing!

The 63-64 housings differ with the size and shape of the steering column inlet hole. There are also minor differences in the back of the housing around the ignition switch.

JR

[Keith B.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

I thought 65 was a one year only housing where 66-67 are the same and 63-64 are the same

[Alan D.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

Ed, do not believe anyone has rods for pot metal. When a repair was needed on my FI doghouse a friend made his own rods from a donated trim rear light housing. (Not sure how he did that & would not tell)

[Mark F.]

Super Alloy 1 Multi-Metal and Pot Metal Sold 63 instrument housing

Are all of the 63-67 instrument housings the same? My 63 instrument housing/panel is cracked where the left vent pull attaches, are all of the mid year panels the same or are there differences between 63-64 and 65-67? Has any one repaired one using those aluminium braising rods. Do they have rods for pot metal. Thanks

Edward,

I have not used this product, but it sure looks easy and rather strong, too.
Super Alloy 1 Multi-Metal and Pot Metal Solder

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwLuV00Psu0

MuggyWeld.com

It's not cheap, but if it works - probably a lot cheaper than sourcing a '63-only housing!
good luck!

[Bob R.]

[Edward G.]

Re: Super Alloy 1 Multi-Metal and Pot Metal Sold 63 instrument housing

Thanks Mark,

I saw that video from Muggy Weld and many others, they all look so easy and effective. In my personal experience , I have never had any success with these products and I'm hesitant to put the torch to my dash panel. With my luck I would blow a hole through the panel and still not have the repair hold

Ed

[Joe R.]

Re: Super Alloy 1 Multi-Metal and Pot Metal Sold 63 instrument housing

Edward, those Pot Metal repairs are done on thick Pot Metal. By the time you get your instrument cluster hot enough to melt the solder it is melted and gone down the drain.

Heli Arc is the only effective way to fix a broken Instrument Cluster.

JR

[Edward G.]

Re: Super Alloy 1 Multi-Metal and Pot Metal Sold 63 instrument housing

Joe,

Thanks for that info I will definitely not try to weld or braze it myself. I don't have the equipment or the experience for that and I don't trust those brazing rods. I see that the steering column collar will support that section that is cracked and then add another plate somehow for added support that should work.

Ed

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

Ed, very late 63's, and I mean very late had a 64 cluster with a different bezel. When was you car built?

[Brian T.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

There were two variations of the true 1963 housings. Not counting the 64 housings used late in the year of course. The early version only had one cutout for the headlight motor switch. The later version had an inner cutout added. That was used on the few air conditioned cars that were produced. The 1965 housings were not different from the 1966-1967 housings. At least to the best of my knowledge. There were some running changes that I have documented on the cluster assemblies during the 1965 production.

[Edward G.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

Harry,

My car was built in May 15XXX serial #

Ed

[Richard M.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

Some reference photos that may assist.

1963 late Feb build.
Note upper column rounded access hole and the single rollover switch hole as Brian mentioned.
P1040013.jpg

A 1964 with the 2 rollover switch holes and upper column non-rounded access hole. (file photo)
64Cluster.jpg


1963 column to dash bezel. 1963 did not use wires from the hub so no wire access notch. No in-hub directional switch.
1963_collar_sc-661-1.jpg
1963 Switch mounted on column. Toggled by a wire cable from the hub.
P1070011.jpg



1964(to 1966) bezel. 1964+ ran wires from the hub(from directional switch) to main underdash harness via the notch.

64-66_collar_front.jpg

[Edward G.]

Re: 63 instrument housing same as all C2?

Richard,

Thanks for the pictures, that really helps. My dash panel has the 2 rollover switch cutouts and the rounded column access hole and the round dash bezel. I think the second rollover cutout weakens the panel at that point making it susceptible to cracking if the steering column is not supported properly by the "U" bolt and bracket.

This all helps and I know what to look for now, thanks

Ed