Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

[Kirk M.]

Finished putting everything back last weekend and decided to show off the finished products. The dash cluster looks and works great. The MC and power booster need to be bled again at the wheels as the pedal is still a bit mushy, but works. Will do that this Sunday and hopefully have everything buttoned up. Drove it about 375 miles this past Thursday which was a glorious day in Ohio. Lots of winding back roads, sun and music. Great day for a drive. Got a few thumbs up as I rumbled down I70 in central Ohio. One of things I had repaired on the cluster was the odometer. It's nice to drive along and see both the trip and mileage odometers clicking away. Also, the clock actually works and keeps time now, albeit a bit fast. Anyway, nice to have things back in working order in time for another car season. Hope to see ya on the road!

[Gerard F.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Kirk,

Gotta get rid of that brake pad. Only kidding, your car looks just great! And the restoration of the dash and brake booster/master cylinder are just wonderful.

I have a 67 327/300 too (but with a clutch and 4 speed).

[Kirk M.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Thanks. Do you mean the pad covering the brake pedal?? I'm still learning here so if it isn't correct, let me know.

[Jack H.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

The clock sports a self-correcting regulation feature. If it runs fast, each time you turn the hands back the regulator observes the correction and slows a bit. Also, if its slow and you correct by turning the hands forward, it speeds up a tad.

If you have a battery cut-off switch and constantly execute MAJOR time resets when you re-engage the battery, the regulation adjust process starts anew. Remember that if you're you're attempting PV...

PV judges DO know about/understand the clock's self-correcting regulation feature!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

I too had to repair my odometer on my 63 (twice now). If you're anything like me, you'll be afraid to reset it anymore at gas refills. They seem to be quite fragile. Otherwise, it looks great! Glad to hear you fellows up north are finally coming out of hybernation. I used to hate that when we lived outside Chicago. You feel so compelled to go to every event during the summer, rain or shine, because the season is so short. Here in Florida, if there is the slightest chance for rain, we just sigh and say: " well, maybe I'll go next week".

Stu Fox

[Gerard F.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Sorry Kirk,

I think I mistook the Corvette lettering on the floor mat as your brake pedal in the first picture.

But check the brake pedal pad to the Judging Guide, I can't tell from the photos.

[Kirk M.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Put another hundred on her today. Went and got the brakes "fixed". We bled all the lines at the calipers and got lots of air and even some dirty water. Definitely made a difference as the brakes grab a little harder now. Hopefully, that will do it for the summer season, although I'm thinking about a new exhaust.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Taking care of brakes, specially on a car that doesn't get driven a lot, is very important. As I was planning to change mine (63 w/drums) I let it go quite a while. On the day I chose to begin the job, I drove it to a friend's garage and when I pulled in to his driveway, the pedal went to the floor. My master was dry except for a greasy mix of water and old brake fluid. The RF wheel cylinder was also full of water. Now that I have all new brakes, incl. Master Cyl., I am going to watch them close. I put checking the master on my check list, and added brake fluid change to my scheduled maintenance.

Stu Fox

[Joe R.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Hi Kirk:

Wow, those photos look great! You have done a lot of work in the last couple of years. I still haven't mustered the energy to pull out my dash cluster and get it rebuilt. Maybe next winter.....

[Kirk M.]

Re: Recond Dash Cluster, MC, & Power Booster Pics

Hi Kirk:

Wow, those photos look great! You have done a lot of work in the last couple of years. I still haven't mustered the energy to pull out my dash cluster and get it rebuilt. Maybe next winter.....

Yea, that one was a bit scary for me too, but seeing that the odometer wasn't working, I figured I'd go ahead and do it. It ended up costing me close to $1000 when all was said and done, but that was a complete make-over. Considering the rust and wear on the original cluster, I think it was worth it. Although, I must admit, I kinda liked to dings and scratches - it meant the car's had been used, which for me equates "loved". Even so, the re-conditioned dash looks awesome installed and everything works great. I will say that Corvette Specialties did a wonderful job, but there were a lot of small flecks and "lint" on the gauge faces and I spent the better part of an hour carefully cleaning off each and every little speck. May be that I'm just anal, but I sure didn't feel like staring at those flecks for the next ten years! Another great byproduct of removing the cluster was all the stuff I learned about the workings of my car. I spent a lot of time pouring over wiring diagrams and getting things straight behind the dash. I feel like I know a lot more about my car now than before I started including finding the white number "14" on the dash post. It's funny, Bryan Craig, the guy who helps me work on my car, says my car "loves" me because I'm doing all the right things to fix her up but still driving her. I hope that's the case, 'cause I sure do love owning and driving her!