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I know a lot of you have seen this, at the top of the gauge cluster where it meets the dash for some odd reason one side always sticks out further toward the driver than the other side. Has anyone figured out how to make that straight across? I’m doing my best to figure this out and I just can’t get to the bottom of it. Here’s a picture of what I’m talking about. Look at the top of the top left sticks out toward the driver. If anyone here knows the fix for this please let me know so I can stop banging my head against the garage door.
My 72 isn't perfect but pretty good. Seems to me there is a screw that goes up thru the top of the piece that if you push the frame up and then tighten the screw tight, it might help. I know you shouldn't do a lot of monkeying around with the piece because it can be broken at the weak points so you have to be careful. It really wasn't designed very well, some were not very good even when new. Make sure nothing behind it is getting the way also.
Hey,
‘Thanks for the tips, I’ve really tightened things up behind it, it seems the that the way the console clips hit the studs make it pull to one side when you try to line it up, I’m going to do some modifications on it Tomorrow, After I layed that insulation down, it didn’t help matters, I’m going to split the plastic inseams of the console and butterfly the ends, then I’m going to ream out the slots where the studs go so the threads stop getting caught on the mounting plate. Then I’m going to straighten it up and mount it to the sides of the two side dash panels. After I split the inseam on the console, I’ll take it and get the fit, then I’ll take my instant plastic and remold and seal the cracks in place, then put the console back in. I just went into the garage and cracked the inseams on the console, it appears that this will work very well. I’ll post some pics later, Thanks again,
Powe.
Hey,
‘Thanks for the tips, I’ve really tightened things up behind it, it seems the that the way the console clips hit the studs make it pull to one side when you try to line it up, I’m going to do some modifications on it Tomorrow, After I layed that insulation down, it didn’t help matters, I’m going to split the plastic inseams of the console and butterfly the ends, then I’m going to ream out the slots where the studs go so the threads stop getting caught on the mounting plate. Then I’m going to straighten it up and mount it to the sides of the two side dash panels. After I split the inseam on the console, I’ll take it and get the fit, then I’ll take my instant plastic and remold and seal the cracks in place, then put the console back in. I just went into the garage and cracked the inseams on the console, it appears that this will work very well. I’ll post some pics later, Thanks again,
Powe.
Ibterested in what you do to fix this. My 72 is like this as well. I assume it was warped since its plastic or that there was a screw or something behind the left side keeping it from being flush.
today was the day that I cracked the center console and reformed the way it sits in the car. I’ve included some pictures on what I use and how I do this process. If you use this type of plastic, make sure you use P100 filters and a mask… the fumes from this stuff will knock you completely out, that’s why I highly suggest you use P100 filters with a professional mask. When as it cures it hardens into the plastic, becoming part of the original material, it’s tough as steel, “Almost.” it only takes 15 minutes to fully cure. Things are coming together really well, the reason the bezel tilts out is because the screw position in the top of the dash is slightly off, some cars have it some cars don’t, apparently it comes from the factory like this. But I have a fix… as soon as I get it all put together I’ll include the pictures, below some pics of what I used to fix the center console after I cracked it and reformed it.
You are lucky, the center console can be repaired. I bought a new pot metal center gauge and didn’t like the way it fit, exactly like the op picture. Unfortunately, I keep f_ king with it until I broke the thin metal vertical side. Let’s face it, the original fitment of these cars was not GREAT, and after 50 plus years, all parts (plastic, fiberglass, pot metal etc.) are obviously warped or bent from age/heat.
Seems to be a common problem. My 1975 original low mile car.... and yes, the center instrument panel is cocked with left side higher than the right side. Build quality on these cars is something to behold.
Annoying, but I'm not going to make an attempt to fix it.
Last edited by Zanny1; May 11, 2025 at 10:27 AM.
Reason: spelling
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Getting the gauge cluster even.
