Dash face question

[maczter]

What is the curvature of the dash? I have found some neat gauge clusters made from billet aluminum and am wondering if the dash in flat more or less, or there is a significant curve to the face?:confused:

[michael everson]

I think its fairly flat. At least as far as mounting a billett gauge cluster. I made an aluminum gauge surround for a customer and it worked fine.
Mike

[maczter]

Great to know, and thank you!

[bbksv]

Did you end up using a billet cluster? i am looking at one like this.....

25735

[esff32]

The curvature of the dash doesn't become too much of an issue until you get to the extreme edges. If you look toward the end of my build thread where I mounted my push button start panel, the upper left edge was affected ever so slightly by the radius in the dash. So if you plan on installing in the center, you should be completely fine.

Evan

[maczter]

I saw that one and was my original choice too, but decided on this one ($79 on eBay)

25737

[bbksv]

That looks sweet

[rcotner]

I like it!! i am looking for a billet gauge panel as well. I haven't see anything like yours. I am also looking a gauge options. I kinda like the vintage ones from autometer. I am opting out of the supplied gauges from FFR.

[maczter]

This is the same seller as I bought from, but this one has a V8 logo on it....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-6-Gauge-Dash-Panel-Machined-Finish-With-V-8-Logo-Street-Hot-Rod-Boat/121244829990?_trksid=p2047675.c100012.m1985&_trkparms=aid%3D444000%26algo%3DSOI.DEFAULT%26ao%3 D1%26asc%3D20131230161411%26meid%3D445067940614320 8450%26pid%3D100012%26prg%3D20131230161411%26rk%3D 1%26rkt%3D10%26sd%3D121244828953

[68GT500MAN]

I am using a billit gauge pannel that is about 1/4" thick around the perimiter. I had to put a curve in it to match the dash as I did not want the 3/16" gap if I hadn't. I drilld and tapped it from the backside for 10-32 studs and it follows the curve perfectly. There is an old post about some who have added a bar to the backside to straighten the dash behind the bezzle.
Doug

[maczter]

The studs are a great idea...mind if I ask how long they are?

[68GT500MAN]

The ones I used were 3/4". I think that I may have some left, I will look tonight.
Doug

[maczter]

Doug...

After your suggestion I looked at them on McMaster-Carr. Did you use stainless? Since mine is about 1/4" thick too, was wondering how deep you drilled, and since that is not much of a depth, did you use any locktite on them. I was considering red to make sure they don't come loose.

Jack

[maczter]

I like it!! i am looking for a billet gauge panel as well. I haven't see anything like yours. I am also looking a gauge options. I kinda like the vintage ones from autometer. I am opting out of the supplied gauges from FFR.

I am opting out of theirs as well, and using the Autometer Ultra Lite's with blue LEDs. Yes, I know they are not truly "back lit" gauges, but I like the race car look of them. I was originally going with 5" tach and speedo, until I saw that console. Not a race car console per se, but I am going to paint the gauge bezels satin black. I am really happy with the quality and finish on it, considering it was an eBay find.

[68GT500MAN]

I did use stainless ones. The number of threads in the aluminum was a concern for me, so I flattened the drill point and then triple checked my depth stop. I then used a bottom tap to get maximum threads. Red Loctite was used when installing the studs. Probably overkill for the application, but I already had the Loctite in the shop.
Doug

[rcotner]

I like this guage panel a lot:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/32-Ford-Car-Billet-Aluminum-Dash-Insert-Gauge-Panel-Instrument-Cluster-1932-/301046970366?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessorie s&vxp=mtr&hash=item4617cc37fe#ht_1238wt_1312

It is a replica of a 34 ford panel. I would like to find a 6 gauge version but I am looking a speedo/tach combo guages to fit in the 5 gauge panel.

[kraftee]

27341

I used the exact billet panel in the first post by Boese engineering. It is indeed flat, but can be given a slight curve by simply working it over a piece of 4" pvc pipe for ten minutes or so. Mine matches the curve of the dash panel PERFECTLY.