Here's what we had to start...
Here's what we had to start with-a worn, discolored dash cluster with several inoperative gauges.
Here's an exploded view of...
Here's an exploded view of the speedometer assembly. Ours, like most, is extremely worn and needed help.
As much as we like wrenching on our own cars, there are just some parts of an old Mopar that it makes sense to let somebody else repair. One of the items that we just don't have the patience, tools, or parts to repair ourselves is the instrument panel on our dashboard. Sure, we've repaired wiring, even replaced gauges on some of our dashes, but when it comes to dash restoration, and more importantly, gauge and gauge face restoration, the task is more of an art than a mechanical skill. That's why you see so many Mopars with aftermarket gauges hanging under the dash, because when the factory instruments stop working most of us don't have the ability or knowledge to repair them. This is why when it was time to restore the dash gauges on our project Timber wolf Super Bee, we needed a little help.
One of the major problems...
One of the major problems found in our speedometer assembly was the cracked and warped speedometer drive magnet.
The speedometer assembly is...
The speedometer assembly is reassembled using new parts where needed, including a new speedometer drive magnet.
Since factory clocks were...
Since factory clocks were notoriously unreliable, they are replaced by a modern quartz movement.
Fortunately, the guys at Autoinstruments.com specialize in just the kind of repairs and restoration our gauge cluster needed. In addition to repairing and reconditioning gauge clusters for better aesthetic appearance, the guys at Autoinstruments.com have the tools and calibrated test equipment to get your factory gauges working better than they did when new.
While the gauges are being...
While the gauges are being rebuilt and recalibrated, the dash lens is polished with three different rouges for clarity better than when it was new.
Gauge faces are pad printed...
Gauge faces are pad printed for a better-than-new look. We chose white for our gauges, but Autoinstruments.com can also do them in original black or custom colors.
Factory tachs can be off by...
Factory tachs can be off by 1,000 rpm or more, so each tachometer is recalibrated for accuracy before being installed.
Most factory gauges, especially tachometers, are notoriously inaccurate. In fact, factory tachs can be off by 1,000 rpm or more. Knowing this, the crew at Autoinstruments.com has developed repair and calibration techniques to make your factory gauges work as well as expensive aftermarket units, and without cluttering the area under your dash. They can also change the face color of the gauges to make them easier to see or for a custom look unique to your car.
Side by side you can certainly...
Side by side you can certainly tell the difference between our old, discolored odometer wheel and the new one that will be installed.
Fuel quantity, oil pressure,...
Fuel quantity, oil pressure, water temperature, and ammeter gauges are all repaired, calibrated, and tested for accuracy before they get reinstalled in the dash.
Since we wanted to keep a factory look to our project Super Bee, but wanted to brighten up the dash a little, we opted for factory gauges with white faces to replace the factory black gauges. Also, since none of our factory instruments seemed to work properly, the entire cluster would need to be refurbished, and the oil pressure, water temperature, and tachometer would need to be repaired and recalibrated.
Follow along as we show you how the crew at Autoinstruments.com performs their magic.
With the speedometer reassembled,...
With the speedometer reassembled, it's tested and calibrated using specialized equipment. Speedometer drive magnets are actually calibrated by adding or subtracting magnetism.
The plastic bezel is rechromed,...
The plastic bezel is rechromed, then painted, and all the white lettering and numbering is restamped for a better-than-new appearance. Autoinstruments.com can rechrome, paint, and detail virtually any Mopar plastic dash to look as good as ours.
With the gauges repaired and...
With the gauges repaired and calibrated, the instrument cluster is reassembled and ready to be mated to the refurbished bezel.
Reassembled, our instrument...
Reassembled, our instrument cluster looks better than it did when new. The white gauge faces will make the dash brighter and the instruments easier to read. Accurate, working instruments will also keep us from cluttering the lower dash with aftermarket gauges, ensuring a cleaner look for our interior.