remanking

I replaced my '69's broken in the typical place center gauge bezel with a repro piece. Now I have this gap at the upper left between the top dash pad and the bezel. It looks like the top dash pad actually curves up at this point.
Something must be amiss??? I then look at other cars dash pictures online and see that same issue on many cars??? Then I asked around and was told "that's the way they are, live with it" No way!!!
This can't be! It looks terrible! There must be a fix!
I have that screw at the top super tight, but the gap is still there on only the left side.
One of you out there must be familair with this problem. I can't sit in the car and ignore it. What's the answer? new top dash? Different bezel? LH dash adjustment?
Thanks!!!

Durango_Boy

Maybe try to find an original bezel that's in good enough shape to use. It will probably fit better.

onaqwst

caulk it

wro87

Same thing on our 71' has new top cap and drivers side also still not a good fit.
Good Luck hope you get answer! wro87

Alan 71

There is often a gap at this point even with original bezels. I ended up shimming the bottom of the bezel where it mounts on top of the shifter console to tip the bezel up on the left side. It helped a LITTLE.
I got the bezel as straight as I could and then tightened the screws a little at a time so I didn't pull it out of position.
Good Luck.
Regards,
Alan

When I lay my original bezel on a flat surface it's obvious it's warped at the top.

remanking

Alan,
Good idea, I tried that to, but it only goes so far.
Is your original "warped" to compensate for "lift" if the top dash to fill the space at the top?
I was wondering if the repros don't have this "Warp" and that's why you see so many with that gap.
I went on ebay today and almost every '69 that has a dash picture you can see how the bezel does not fit at the top.

...Roger...

I dont shim the bezel but I do lift the shift console up where it attaches on each side.
Loosen all the screws going across the front of the dash and let it sit with the cluster pushing up in the center.In the summer if left outside in the sun and windows closed I can get them close to perfect but it takes time.You have to give the upper dash time to reform.If you push too hard you'll crack your new cluster.

remanking

Are all the top dash pads supposed to have this Lift-Bend-curve just left of center? Or is that caused by the pull of that top center screw in the gauge cluster?
It looks like they made it curve up for the driver. Is it intentional, or a factor of age?

Chris Farrer

My '72 has a gap probably 1/4 inch when I replaced the bezel. I have seen many photos of cars most seem to have a gap. I am going to repair my original bezel one day and make it fit properly.

kdf1986

Hello, I replaced the bezel in my 72 last month. Put in a new radio, clock and lens plate. The top left corner of the bezel sticks out and away from the dash. Everything else is nice and tight, with a good match between the dash and bezel.

Only the top left of mine is out of place also.

kdf

hammadown

My original 72 gauge bezel sticks out in the top left corner................a-lot.......... and I do have an original dash cover

If you look close at the dash just to the right of the air freshener you can see what looks like a small white line .. just to the left of the chrome wiper switch..... at the same height as the switch... where the guage bezel and dash pad meet. That, is infact, the top of the bezel overhanging the dash pad about a good 1/4''




Hammadown

remanking

That's exactly what mine looks like. Original top dash pad, just a new bezel, and it sticks out just like yours.
I'm determined to take it apart again and mess with it until it looks better. I can't believe people paid $6K for a car back in '69 and didn't complain about that poor fit!

Alan 71

Hi RMK,
All kinds of good suggestions here. They do look like Hammadown's. DW's right, it can be helped.... but you have to be SOOOOO careful that you don't break the bezel.
The upper dash pad shouldn't have a 'hump' in it. Even old pads still have a smooth arc in them.
My problem always seems to be in the bezel, not the pads.
Regards,
Alan

PS: In 71 other parts of the car had much worse problems than the bezel fit. Let's talk paint, chrome, radio, alternator, cracked intake manifold, leaks, leaks, leaks, leaks.
Why do you think birdcages are so rusty?

kdf1986

My new bezel replacement looks almost exactly like Hammadowns photo shows. Top left has about a 1/4 gap.

kdf

GD70

A lot of them are like this. Here's a 69 from a cruise last year. This one sticks out on both sides.

Ron R

Is the problem the bezel or the dash?

0Willcox Corvette

I think it was a combo, poor design on both parts from GM. Here is a factory original dash pad and dash bezel pictured I've saved.

hammadown

Thats what happens when two parts that go together are made by different companys.

Besides ...... wasnt the ''weed'' real good back in the 60's & 70's

Hammadown

0Willcox Corvette

Famous last words: They did not inhale! They did not have sexual relations with that woman!

...Roger...

This one is fairly easy to get looking good.

On the ones like Wilcox posted if you use the radio as a "lever" you can still find a happy medium that doesnt look too bad.DON'T DON'T DON'T..try to push on the upper edge it will break....I was under the understanding the upper portion was "designed" to break in an accident.