Need some information about bezels
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 7
From: Mindenmines Missouri
Need some information about bezels
I have a 1974 corvette and today while replacing the wiper switch I managed to break the top half of the center gauge bezel in half. What years would work as a replacement ? Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Too bad, fixing one side isn't too bad but both is tricky.
Hopefully you can find a used one somewhere, (check the parts section) as the repros were quite dear $$$.
I do have a vague memory of some people repairing ones broken on both sides, maybe try a search
M
Hopefully you can find a used one somewhere, (check the parts section) as the repros were quite dear $$$.
I do have a vague memory of some people repairing ones broken on both sides, maybe try a search
M
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 7
From: Mindenmines Missouri
I`m wondering if I might be able to solder pot metal ?
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
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From: PHOENIX, AZ Yes, it's true. You are a good woman. Then again, you may be the Antichrist.
You can, with the right materials. Problem is, that joint area is so thin and there is so much pressure put on it, it's not a great solution.
I used a combination of steel braces and epoxy for strength, and soldering to fill in the crack. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...int-match.html
It's a fair amount of work, but if you want to keep your original parts and you like fixing stuff, then it's satisfying to do the repair.
Good luck!
I used a combination of steel braces and epoxy for strength, and soldering to fill in the crack. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...int-match.html
It's a fair amount of work, but if you want to keep your original parts and you like fixing stuff, then it's satisfying to do the repair.
Good luck!
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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i posted a how to on fixing them. I got the idea from someone else hear. Make sure you run seperate ground from the top of the console incase you dont maintain a good ground
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Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,221
Likes: 9,357
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
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From: Long Island
On my 71 daily driver I drilled 4 holes on each side, tapered the holes - 2 above the break and 2 below the break. (each side) Tapered the holes for 4-40 screws - flat head.
I backed up the rear of the piece with a very thin piece of Stainless steel . (to span the break and screws)
I used the bezel as a templet, drilled and tapped the plate for the screws.
Cut the SS plate to fit the shape of the bezel. I then roughed up all items with sandpaper where the JB weld was going - rear of the bezel and front of the SS plate.
Then screwed them together and let it sit. Then used a Dremmel / Milwaukee M12 version and ground the screws flush with the rear of the SS plate. Filled in the screw heads with JB weld, sanded smooth with 400.
Spray painted the bezel - it's held for 2 years. Cleaned up the chrome with Q-tips and thinner .
If you look close enough it looks like a small scratch in the chrome strip.
But for a daily driver it was a quick low cost fix... for me anyway as I had the materials on hand.
I backed up the rear of the piece with a very thin piece of Stainless steel . (to span the break and screws)
I used the bezel as a templet, drilled and tapped the plate for the screws.
Cut the SS plate to fit the shape of the bezel. I then roughed up all items with sandpaper where the JB weld was going - rear of the bezel and front of the SS plate.
Then screwed them together and let it sit. Then used a Dremmel / Milwaukee M12 version and ground the screws flush with the rear of the SS plate. Filled in the screw heads with JB weld, sanded smooth with 400.
Spray painted the bezel - it's held for 2 years. Cleaned up the chrome with Q-tips and thinner .
If you look close enough it looks like a small scratch in the chrome strip.
But for a daily driver it was a quick low cost fix... for me anyway as I had the materials on hand.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Feb 18, 2018 at 11:40 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Personally I'm amazed that any of the metal ones didn't break in that thin little corner.
Mine was broken on one side only so I managed to drill a tiny hole in both ends and insert a piece of drill shank to keep them together, then backed it up with some steel mesh and epoxy on the outside. Must have been 20-25 year ago now and the dash has been in and out numerous times since then
M
Mine was broken on one side only so I managed to drill a tiny hole in both ends and insert a piece of drill shank to keep them together, then backed it up with some steel mesh and epoxy on the outside. Must have been 20-25 year ago now and the dash has been in and out numerous times since then
M
Last edited by Mooser; Feb 19, 2018 at 03:59 PM.