Original Cobra tach

[deathsled]

I never painted my Cobra tach and it still bears the patina from the time the car was bought in the beautiful State of California (I see California with rose coloured glasses, I know, but I still hold the state in high regard as just...dreamy).  My questions are two:

1. Repaint professionally or leave as is with chipped flat black paint?

2. What are the specs on the spacers in the dash for the two screws that hold down the tach and the screw size.  Old post with this info was lost regrettably but I recall the screw heads are pan head and someone suggested (might have been acman) to machine two pieces of aluminum tubes as spacers.  If Acman has repros I will buy.

Thank you all,

Richard E.

[J_Speegle]

I never painted my Cobra tach and it still bears the patina from the time the car was bought in the beautiful State of California (I see California with rose coloured glasses, I know, but I still hold the state in high regard as just...dreamy).  My questions are two:

1. Repaint professionally or leave as is with chipped flat black paint?

Depends on the car. Will a restored exterior look out of place once installed?  Or will it make other things in the interior look out of place?

2. What are the specs on the spacers in the dash for the two screws that hold down the tach and the screw size.  Old post with this info was lost regrettably but I recall the screw heads are pan head and someone suggested (might have been acman) to machine two pieces of aluminum tubes as spacers.  If Acman has repros I will buy.

Yes two P&O pan headed Phillips. The use or non-use of the supports would depend on when your car was built (read car number). Something your didn't include

[deathsled]

6s843 and thank you

[pmustang]

I had my 66 Tach looked at for an operational fault and I didn't have a thing done to the patina, my car has a tired paint job to match :-)

[J_Speegle]

6s843 and thank you

Would expect that your car would have had the reinforcements (tubes) originally.

[deathsled]

Thank you Jeff.  I think acman had a suggestion on the former site about dimensions and how to make.  Or maybe he makes them.  I'll check it out.  And thank you gentlemen, all of your for your input.

Richard E.

[J_Speegle]

A few pictures as usual  to help bolster the thread and rebuild the site to its former glory








Sorry for the poor scan

[Greg]

A few pictures as usual  to help bolster the thread and rebuild the site to its former glory








Sorry for the poor scan

Jeff, are the spacers (so that the pad doesn't collapse) in the pad itself or a bracket mounted to the metal frame?  Thanks, Greg

[J_Speegle]

Jeff, are the spacers (so that the pad doesn't collapse) in the pad itself or a bracket mounted to the metal frame?  Thanks, Greg

The tubes/stands were inserted into the holes made in the dash pad (each are individuals)

[SFM6S087]

I made some notes when this topic came up on the old forum. Here's what I have:

Those spacers look like short pieces of tubing 11/16" L, 1/2" OD, 1/16"wall. Originals are thought to have been some sort of bakelite material. Ford replacements were made of steel. Repos can be made from 3/8 tubing.

If that's wrong, maybe someone will jump in and correct it.

Steve

[GT350Lad]

That sounds correct Steve, I took a screen shot of the description on the old forum, I'll try find it but I think your on the money mate 

[kingchief]

I think Jim Cowles reproduces them from time to time.

Steve