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Re: [oletrucks] Instrument Cluster Restorations

To: oletrucks@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [oletrucks] Instrument Cluster Restorations
From: Bill Bailey <billb1@mindspring.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2002 22:13:54 -0500
I realize the original poster was looking for something better than a do it
yourself restoration job but I had pretty good results restoring a TF
cluster myself.
I found a cluster literally buried in the mud at the boneyard which I got
from the junkyard guy for 5 bucks because it was in such crappy shape. He
told me I could bring it back if it was total junk. Found a plastic lens in
another truck  that looked almost new and got that for 2 bucks. Found out
that the worm gear that drives the odometer was busted in the 5 dollar
cluster (this seems to be a common problem in TF clusters) but I discovered
a gear in junkbox  (came from a early 50's GMC speedo) that was very
similar except a little long. I turned the gear down shorter using an
Exacto blade and a drill motor (a hillbilly lathe setup) and it fit and
worked perfectly!
A little polish on the V bezel, some rattle can black paint on the metal
plate behind the lens,the decal sheet you can get from most all of the
vendors and I was in business.  I think my total cost was just a shade
under $25. You can see the results at 

http://members.tripod.com/~oltruck/misc/SPEED000.JPG

It's not show quality but it is a cheaper alternative until you can save up
the $$$ to have a pro do it.
Bill Bailey
57 Chevy 3100
Hagerstown, MD
http://members.tripod.com/~oltruck
oletrucks is devoted to Chevy and GM trucks built between 1941 and 1959

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