68Barracuda dash bezel removal

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Inspector71

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Lee's Summit Missouri
I need to take out the entire bezel restore/repaint. I don't want to take out gauges and so forth. I took out the screws and it moves out at the top but not the bottom. What else do I need to disconnect? I am hoping not instrument cluster. The shop manual and other two books I bought are not clear on this. Thanks in advance.​
 
You'll need to remove the entire instrument panel assembly ( includes gauge housing ) with or without the climate controller. I remove the lever knob(s) then reach around and remove 2 screws so to leave the climate controller in the car. Anyway... The bezel is separated from the pot metal gauge housing at the workbench. Remove trip clock reset knob where applicable and 8 screws including the one that stands alone over at the climate controller.
 
Yep, the cluster needs to come out as an assembly! The bezel is fastened through the back with hex headed screws, and will be near impossible to remove in the car!
 
Not what I wanted to hear, ha ha, but this is a big help. This all started with a planned 360 swap in place of the 225 six but turned into a much bigger project.
 
It was easier than I thought. I forgot to mention, I already had the heat core, box, blower motor, etc out so the cables were detached and, no AC. Now the really beeg question if anyone is still following this, how do I paint the dang thing? It appears the top part, over the instruments was once chrome. The black appears painted over chrome. The silver strip I can handle. I painted the one on my glove box. It took me 8 times, yep, not kidding, to get it right. But, as the saying goes, I now know 7 ways not to do it (the blue painters tape didn't stick well and masking tape leaves residue. I had to paint it inside because Missouri heat, about 1000 degrees by noon, does a number on tape). How do I put the chrome back on all the surfaces that read wiper and so forth. How on earth to I tape this off to paint it? My guess is, I want to paint the silver flat part first, black second, and chrome last. Oh yes, the round conical piece in the center of the speedometer and gauge clusters (no tack but it cluster is there) is that supposed to be chrome or silver? Classic Industries has all of this...for about $755 not including instruments only the plastic parts. Thanks everyone
 
Originally, the entire face side was vacuum metallized chrome. Then argent, black, and white detail painting was done. To D.I.Y. liquid mask and a artist air brush is the best way.
To remove the center cones from the lenses is better than any mask on the clear lens. Separate the cone from the lens, then separate the lens from the bezel. Lots of work but you'll be able to polish the lenses before reassembly. Once separated you'll find the lens edges are blacked out so light can't enter the material in that direction. You want to keep that correct. I remove the red and green lenses also. Did I say lots of work?
Cone sides are flat black. Their face was left chrome when they had light circular texture to knock down some of that shine. Smooth face cone was argent or black in some models with only the larger outer edge ring chrome.
For what its worth, I had custom pieces made for backlighting HAZARD LIGHTS WIPER and the 67 base model climate controller too but...posted here and didn't get enough interest. So I never completed all the various climate controllers. I don't have to paint those little letters though. I just shave them away, peel the paper and stick the custom pieces on.
 
Originally, the entire face side was vacuum metallized chrome. Then argent, black, and white detail painting was done. To D.I.Y. liquid mask and a artist air brush is the best way.
To remove the center cones from the lenses is better than any mask on the clear lens. Separate the cone from the lens, then separate the lens from the bezel. Lots of work but you'll be able to polish the lenses before reassembly. Once separated you'll find the lens edges are blacked out so light can't enter the material in that direction. You want to keep that correct. I remove the red and green lenses also. Did I say lots of work?
Cone sides are flat black. Their face was left chrome when they had light circular texture to knock down some of that shine. Smooth face cone was argent or black in some models with only the larger outer edge ring chrome.
For what its worth, I had custom pieces made for backlighting HAZARD LIGHTS WIPER and the 67 base model climate controller too but...posted here and didn't get enough interest. So I never completed all the various climate controllers. I don't have to paint those little letters though. I just shave them away, peel the paper and stick the custom pieces on.
 
Wow, your skill set is way beyond mine. Please forgive me for sounding like I might know what I'm doing, I don't. How do I take the cones and lenses out? I might not do this as they are in good shape. Only the flat top of the cone needs repainted. I never planned to restore every inch of the car but here I am doing it anyway. I brought it with me from California so it had almost no rust. Thanks for the help
 
Wow, your skill set is way beyond mine. Please forgive me for sounding like I might know what I'm doing, I don't. How do I take the cones and lenses out? I might not do this as they are in good shape. Only the flat top of the cone needs repainted. I never planned to restore every inch of the car but here I am doing it anyway. I brought it with me from California so it had almost no rust. Thanks for the help
I forgot to ask, mine did not comr with a tach, can that be added to the where it would have been or id easier to mount one elsewhere? It is a bench seat car.
 
So how I remove the center cones ( probably are several methods )...I reach under a face down bezel and pull the cone with finger tips applying pressure against the lens while I heat the melt stakes with a solder tip. Brim of the bezel pressing against my forearm. Working from one stake to another trying to heat all at once, the cone slowly pulls away leaving a tiny donut of white plastic on the back of the lens. Those will pop right off with a razor blade and I have been known to reuse some of those in reassembly. Next is same but different separation of lens and metal matting ring from the bezel. By the way... The 2 large lenses do appear the same but they are not interchangeable. To remove the green lenses ( 2 melt stakes each ) eraser end of a broken pencil applies pressure from underneath the lens. Solder tip gets to one melt stake easy enough but the other down in there is a biotch. So with a little heat and effort I tilt the lens out from under that one ( the lens is slotted rather than holes at those stakes ) The red lenses are barely glued in and typically pop right out. I don't know if any aftermarket vendor offers the adhesive backed foam gasket rings for these 4 indicator lenses. I just make 2 new gaskets for the red lenses. Gaskets at green lenses usually stay in the pot metal housing and reuse without issue.
Are we having fun yet? Honestly, even at 750 bucks the aftermarket reproduction bezel aint a bad deal considering the time/labor/expense of restoring OEM. My reason for learning and doing all this was my wanting something other than OEM ( see pic ).
One more note just incase you do pursue this project... The lens and metal matt at the right hand 4 inst' pod needs to be reattached as good as you can get it. Why? The OEM fuel gauge is chassis grounded, and everything about the ALT' gauge is firecracker hot. If/when the metal matt falls against these instruments, sparks fly, fuel gauge needle turns to ash and disappears in milliseconds. This did happen when a owner tapped on the lens because a inst' wasn't functioning correctly.
Oh and your tach question... Year One and other vendors offer new modern tachs built specifically for this application / bolt right into your center pod.

DeMonDIN  02.JPG
 
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Do a search on here for a thread by Cosgig. "Rani im calling you out" A great thread on diy bezel resto.
For a total of about $50-60 and lotsa time n patience, you can have a very respectable looking bezel.
@cosgig
 
Thanks. You talked me out of removing cones/lenses. Nothing wrong with mine I thought it would make painting and taping off easier. I wish I could spend the cash on the new one but I have a child about to go off to UC Rverside. Well thanks for all your help no matter. You have a really nice car. Back out the garage to sand. AC or not, this is Missouri so it's about 500 degrees out there
 
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