65guage panel welding? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

shortbed70 · 08-24-2008, 11:29 AM

Has anybody tig welded on a 60's model guage panel surround that holds your wipers and key? I am wanting to fill the key hole and clean it up some for when I get my billet insert.

**ChiefRocka** · 08-24-2008, 11:52 AM

It could be done with my MIG.....I weld thin stuff all the time with my MIG.

shortbed70 · 08-24-2008, 03:31 PM

I tried and its like pot metal thats why I haven't done this. I can weld it but I tried mig but it just wanted to blow out. By the way I am a certified welder.

**Captainfab** · 08-26-2008, 10:58 PM

I've never had a reason to weld on the bezel, but I'd guess to say it is either pot metal or at least diecast aluminum. Either way a pita to weld.....often not very sucessful.

I think Chief was thinking of the '60-'63's switch panel below the gauge panel....it's steel.

shortbed70 · 08-27-2008, 06:46 PM

Well I tried to tig it today and its possible but I would have to have way more skill than what I posess. Its some kind of aluminum like the slag they scrape off the top or something. So I didn't get my holes welded so I'm looking at another option.

padresag · 08-27-2008, 07:02 PM

I don't know why you just don't put a piece of sreel in there and weld it up and finish it off
ron

hAetWagon · 08-27-2008, 07:13 PM

One piece winders...huh? That sounds kinda cool. How'd that whole thing work? or is there a thread around here somewhere?

ChopperDr · 08-27-2008, 09:38 PM

Why not fill it with body filler? Multiple flavors to choose from.

Chopster

jonzcustomshop · 08-28-2008, 03:22 AM

I guess that you are talking about the lower strip of this style cluster.
Why not mill a piece of aluminum, or carve a piece of steel that would fit over it, and just bolt through the back, then you could chrome/paint/polish it.

jchav62 · 08-28-2008, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

I guess that you are talking about the lower strip of this style cluster.
Why not mill a piece of aluminum, or carve a piece of steel that would fit over it, and just bolt through the back, then you could chrome/paint/polish it.

That's a nice looking cluster! Is that clock factory? We need one of those...

Real_McCoy · 08-28-2008, 10:28 AM

What year is that cluster from?

jchav62 · 08-28-2008, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real_McCoy

What year is that cluster from?

64-66.

*LILRED66* · 08-28-2008, 11:20 AM

The factory option clock for the 4-5-6 Chevy trucks mounted on top of the dash like this one:

There were no factory options for a clock mounted inside the dash cluster on a 4-5-6 Chevy truck, but I have seen a few that have been modified to accept a '60's electric clock from a Nova/Chevelle/Impala etc., like the one shown above.

I have had my father repair a number of the factory dash bezels from the 4-5-6 Chevy trucks. He is a retired welder from TWA/American Airlines. He was there for 40 years and still runs a small welding operation from his home shop. He believes they are cast aluminum or pot-metal, but in either case they can be repaired/modified with great results.

If you need one modified, let me know and we can move this conversation to PM, in order to not violate the forum rules.

I hope this information is helpful.

08-24-2008, 11:29 AM	#1
shortbed70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney TX Posts: 4,512	65guage panel welding? Has anybody tig welded on a 60's model guage panel surround that holds your wipers and key? I am wanting to fill the key hole and clean it up some for when I get my billet insert. __________________ Troy 1965 Chevy Bagged,361 sbc,voodoo cam,1.5 full roller rockers,patriot 185cc vortec heads 2.02-1.60,vortec weiand polished intake,demon carb my truckhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332884 Big Red Dog build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=572274

08-24-2008, 11:52 AM	#2
ChiefRocka Hollister, CA. Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hollister, Ca. Posts: 6,150	Re: 65guage panel welding? It could be done with my MIG.....I weld thin stuff all the time with my MIG. __________________ John What the Heck is that ?? CURRENT BUILDS: 62 BurbMaster Other Builds: My '63 C-10,LWB,CC,BBW '06 HD StrAight Axle Swap Father/Son '67 C-20, LQ9,4L80,Bagged,8-Lugger !!Good Friend Richard's Build AMERICAN CUSTOMS & CLASSICS (831) 630-1965 www.ACCHOLLISTER.com ACC on FACEBOOK "Rest in Peace, Mom & Dad ... I will see you again someday!"

08-24-2008, 03:31 PM	#3
shortbed70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney TX Posts: 4,512	Re: 65guage panel welding? I tried and its like pot metal thats why I haven't done this. I can weld it but I tried mig but it just wanted to blow out. By the way I am a certified welder. __________________ Troy 1965 Chevy Bagged,361 sbc,voodoo cam,1.5 full roller rockers,patriot 185cc vortec heads 2.02-1.60,vortec weiand polished intake,demon carb my truckhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332884 Big Red Dog build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=572274 Last edited by shortbed70; 08-24-2008 at 03:38 PM.

08-26-2008, 10:58 PM	#4
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: 65guage panel welding? I've never had a reason to weld on the bezel, but I'd guess to say it is either pot metal or at least diecast aluminum. Either way a pita to weld.....often not very sucessful. I think Chief was thinking of the '60-'63's switch panel below the gauge panel....it's steel. __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

08-27-2008, 06:46 PM	#5
shortbed70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Forney TX Posts: 4,512	Re: 65guage panel welding? Well I tried to tig it today and its possible but I would have to have way more skill than what I posess. Its some kind of aluminum like the slag they scrape off the top or something. So I didn't get my holes welded so I'm looking at another option. __________________ Troy 1965 Chevy Bagged,361 sbc,voodoo cam,1.5 full roller rockers,patriot 185cc vortec heads 2.02-1.60,vortec weiand polished intake,demon carb my truckhttp://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=332884 Big Red Dog build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=572274

08-27-2008, 07:02 PM	#6
padresag Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Sidney,b.c. Posts: 4,425	Re: 65guage panel welding? I don't know why you just don't put a piece of sreel in there and weld it up and finish it off ron

08-27-2008, 07:13 PM	#7
hAetWagon Schlongbed MEMBER (heh)#15 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 232	Re: 65guage panel welding? One piece winders...huh? That sounds kinda cool. How'd that whole thing work? or is there a thread around here somewhere? __________________ 82 Chevy Blazer 4wd.RIP 1965 Chevy C10,350V8 Get it reliable,then puttin' it in the weeds.. "Old truck, all new headaches."

08-27-2008, 09:38 PM	#8
ChopperDr Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: WA Posts: 189	Re: 65guage panel welding? Why not fill it with body filler? Multiple flavors to choose from. Chopster

08-28-2008, 03:22 AM	#9
jonzcustomshop 1961 crewcab Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: missoula, mt Posts: 6,164	Re: 65guage panel welding? I guess that you are talking about the lower strip of this style cluster. Why not mill a piece of aluminum, or carve a piece of steel that would fit over it, and just bolt through the back, then you could chrome/paint/polish it. Attached Images

08-28-2008, 10:28 AM	#11
Real_McCoy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: El Dorado, Kansas Posts: 198	Re: 65guage panel welding? What year is that cluster from? __________________ Daniel 66 Chevy C10 LWB Support our troops!

08-28-2008, 11:20 AM	#13
LILRED66 Account Suspended Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas City, KS Posts: 3,906	Re: 65guage panel welding? The factory option clock for the 4-5-6 Chevy trucks mounted on top of the dash like this one: There were no factory options for a clock mounted inside the dash cluster on a 4-5-6 Chevy truck, but I have seen a few that have been modified to accept a '60's electric clock from a Nova/Chevelle/Impala etc., like the one shown above. I have had my father repair a number of the factory dash bezels from the 4-5-6 Chevy trucks. He is a retired welder from TWA/American Airlines. He was there for 40 years and still runs a small welding operation from his home shop. He believes they are cast aluminum or pot-metal, but in either case they can be repaired/modified with great results. If you need one modified, let me know and we can move this conversation to PM, in order to not violate the forum rules. I hope this information is helpful. Attached Images



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