40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

I am going to give the instument cluster in my 40 standard a face lift.Has anyone used the decal kits that are sold for the gauge faces?What is the color of the plate that goes around the gauges and where can the paint be purchased?Can the new speedometer face be installed without taking the needle off?Has anyone been here and done this? Thanks,Russell

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Russel, The decals are "okay" at best.The colors are not quite accurate.
However, if you can't locate NOS gauges, it is perhaps your best option.
You must remove the needle from the speedometer face and the metal "faces' from each of the gauges to apply the vinyl decals.
I will check (tomorrow) and post here what paint color is a good match for the cluster bezel background area.

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

In one of his recent sale flyers Drake was offering (“coming soon“) new gauge faces.

Iv changed them before …. nothing to it / super easy

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Probably the hardest part is the contortions required to remove and then reinstall the cluster.:(

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Russell,Getting the speedo needle off is the hardest part. Macs has the decals. I used a sandy color duplicolor rattle can for the plate. Came out beautiful. Good luck Ken

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

i have one in my little pickup, in and out a couple times but i can take my seat out and use blocks to raise up to the level of the seat riser.

that way i dont have to contort this pushing 60 back that much.

you should be able to get it once you see where the mounting screws are it will come right out, remove the light sockets so it will come all the way down.

rich

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Mike,
What is the paint color you recommend for cream background area?
Thanks Tom.

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

I used Rustoleum "Painters Touch" Ivory on mine.

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

I went to rattlecan alley and took in the cluster to match. I used a roll of pin stripe to try to look original. It's not quite right only we know. Everyone else loves it. Guage decals were used. See the picture in my only album....

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Gauge cluster looks very nice Mike.

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

I just did mine over the past couple of nights:

http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws...0a1f9bc6_7.jpg

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Neat job. Congratulations.

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Ctaulbert.......my '40 has a small water mark and started to take it out, but decided against it after awhile. Any secrets to know about a easy removal ?

That really looks nice !

Mike

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Mike - I'm rewiring the car, so I was cutting most of the wiring out. The harness along the back of the dash does somewhat block a clear path of removal, but overall, it's not too hard to remove.

There are four nuts and clamps on the back side. Remove those, disconnect the wiring, and push the cluster toward the firewall.

There are four metal tabs that are folded over the chrome bezel, which hold the front of the cluster together to the cluster panel. You can unfold them easily with a screwdriver, and disassemble it from there.

Hope that helps.

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

Hey CT...thx. I got as far as removing two of the nuts and started looking at where this thing was going to go after I got it unbolted ! That's when I stopped. I'll look at it again in warmer weather, as your cluster looks great.

Thanks.....Mike

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

With the Chrome bezel you really only have to undo 2 of the tabs - the 2 on the top or the 2 on the bottm - the other 2 can just be loosened.

If you do not intend to go back to completely stock, there's a great thread on the HAMB regarding redoing the 40 std gauge cluster. Might just be (or a portion there of) what you are looking to do. I've started one for my 40 p-up project ....

Here's the link:

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=676488

You might have to join the HAMB to see this thread - just do so, do a small intro, and start lurking. Many of the same folks are on here and you would be surprised how many, many of these guys really dig stockers and saving stockers ....

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

TT....

Thanks for info. I want to clean it up and leave stock, as the car is stock. There were just so many wires under there I could not figure out which way it would come out.

I'll be down your way with my Wife in April staying at the Williamsburg Inn for a week. We also are going to Monticello.

Thx for the link....Mike

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

No problemo, Mike - I'm gone most of the last week in April (Spring Carlisle - T-Fri) but there's a pretty nice show in town the last Fr-Sat in April and I'll be at the show that Sat - what dates are you looking at being my way? Hopefully we can get together and do some flattie bench racing .... let me know and maybe, if you have time, we could visit a couple guys garages here in town ....

Re: 40 Instrument Panel (Standard):
 

TT..... I'll look at my schedule and let you know.

Mike