instrument cluster restoration

[TOBKOB]

told me to throw it in the trash and dont ever call him again.  I told him my customer to do a CC chargeback and he did. I sent it to Phil and he said it was a mess inside.   A couple months later Tachman  calls me  leaving a message and asks me if I need any work done. Makes you wonder!

Sounds like a typical bi-polar issue. 

TOB

[1967 eight barrel]

Beer-polar is more like it.
                                  -Keith

[Darrpo]

Had mine worked on by Orlando Mustang!  They can repair the gauges and reface the surface.  They also have come up with a way to install tacks in 69/70 mustangs that were not tac cars originally

[JD]

Since the title of this thread is "Instrument Cluster Restoration" it may help some to also see the difference of the bezel and brushed aluminum insert.

The two options for the '67 Mustangs were Standard Camera Black and the Deluxe on the GT with the aluminum inserts.

The aluminum inserts were attached to a steel base and both installed to the GT Deluxe unique bezel with molded-in slots for the tabs on the aluminum insert assembly to fit into and the tabs were bent over to hold the unit in place.  Not the Camera black bezel. 

The correct bezel has raised edges around the openings and at the perimeter for the aluminum insert assembly to sit in and the ridges are visible.  Many repro aluminum inserts are adhesive backed and just stuck on Camera Black bezels which may repro's have very Red BRAKES lens with the BRAKES in black when the originals are the opposite.

Here are some images to reference:

(there are other aspects to the originals which will probably be discussed and illustrated too.)

[roddster]

   And while we're at it:  Chrome Tech has stopped doing business (rechroming the bezel) and Mr Azcue, last time I checked was not longer answering his E-mails.  So I assume he too is no longer rechroming bezels.
  Please list who to send them out to.

[Bob Gaines]

Since the title of this thread is "Instrument Cluster Restoration" it may help some to also see the difference of the bezel and brushed aluminum insert.

The two options for the '67 Mustangs were Standard Camera Black and the Deluxe on the GT with the aluminum inserts.

The aluminum inserts were attached to a steel base and both installed to the GT Deluxe unique bezel with molded-in slots for the tabs on the aluminum insert assembly to fit into and the tabs were bent over to hold the unit in place.  Not the Camera black bezel. 

The correct bezel has raised edges around the openings and at the perimeter for the aluminum insert assembly to sit in and the ridges are visible.  Many repro aluminum inserts are adhesive backed and just stuck on Camera Black bezels which may repro's have very Red BRAKES lens with the BRAKES in black when the originals are the opposite.

Here are some images to reference:

(there are other aspects to the originals which will probably be discussed and illustrated too.)

Great pictures,great effort JD. 

[Richstang]

JD,
Thanks for sharing those photos and pointing out all the original and repro details!

[pmustang]

I rang tachman a while back and a very brassy sounding woman answered, he was feeding her answers as she repeated my questions to him.  I felt it was very strange and didn't like how it was going.  i didn't send him my parts and sent them to Phil instead who did a lovely job

I am glad I wasn't alone in what I thought

[1967 eight barrel]

Your best bet is to do what I did. I sent my factory parts and bezel to Vacuum Ornamental in Michigan. They did a superb job of plating and unlike the old process that Ford used, the bezel can be cleaned and the finish doesn't rub off. The also did the blackout on the bezel. I bought the inserts for the dash and doors from Burton antique Auto parts in Dayton. They are the only ones who use the anodized aluminum on a steel back with tabs like Ford OE. The finish is consistent and looks OE. Be prepared to spend about 1500.00 when It's all said and done.



Vacuum Ornamental
(734)941-9100
Burton Antique Auto
(937) 275-6753




throughout.
h

[JD]

thanks guys, these dang cars get under your skin and never go away ;-)

[2112]

Your best bet is to do what I did. I sent my factory parts and bezel to Vacuum Ornamental in Michigan. They did a superb job of plating and unlike the old process that Ford used, the bezel can be cleaned and the finish doesn't rub off. The also did the blackout on the bezel. I bought the inserts for the dash and doors from Burton antique Auto parts in Dayton. They are the only ones who use the anodized aluminum on a steel back with tabs like Ford OE. The finish is consistent and looks OE. Be prepared to spend about 1500.00 when It's all said and done.

Vacuum Ornamental
(734)941-9100
Burton Antique Auto
(937) 275-6753

Did you send in just the bezel to vacuum ornamental?

Curious if You also had them do the vent control face or the 1/4 sail panel vents?

[Bob Gaines]

Did you send in just the bezel to vacuum ornamental?

Curious if You also had them do the vent control face or the 1/4 sail panel vents?
[/quote]The 1/4 sail panel vents are pot metal not plastic so most likely wouldn't go to the  plastic chroming people.

[1967 eight barrel]

Your best bet is to do what I did. I sent my factory parts and bezel to Vacuum Ornamental in Michigan. They did a superb job of plating and unlike the old process that Ford used, the bezel can be cleaned and the finish doesn't rub off. The also did the blackout on the bezel. I bought the inserts for the dash and doors from Burton antique Auto parts in Dayton. They are the only ones who use the anodized aluminum on a steel back with tabs like Ford OE. The finish is consistent and looks OE. Be prepared to spend about 1500.00 when It's all said and done.

Vacuum Ornamental
(734)941-9100
Burton Antique Auto
(937) 275-6753

Did you send in just the bezel to vacuum ornamental?

Curious if You also had them do the vent control face or the 1/4 sail panel vents?

The left lower vent/heater control is pot metal with the aluminum glued down with contact cement. I removed the original aluminum and had the trim chrome plated. I then re-cemented the new trim from Burton back in with contact cement. 
I had all four pieces of plastic trim done by Vacuum Ornamental. Dash bezel, center trim, over the glovebox and right lower.
Most upper trim is pitted and it's also pot metal. They would require painting if you found a set worth plating. I wound up just using reproductions in my original trim.
I assume you saw my interior pictures? I can re-post if not.
                                                                                            -Keith

[roddster]

  Small issue:  Burton's nor anyone else has the proper cutout for the door panel aluminum for the early cars.  Boo-hoo.

[JD]

Burton use to have both versions, I got the early when I re-did the car I had.


( Edit - better images...)