'65 replace fuel gauge - telescopic steering column to be lowered?

[Oliver S.]

Hi,

I may be in need to replace the fuel gauge and I'd like to know if I have to lower the telescopic steering column or is it enough to extend it, loose its clamp on the dashboard, remove the cluster screws by threaded studs and pull the cluster a bit to get access?
Once I heard it is possible to replace it cluster in place ...

Oliver

[Richard M.]

Re: '65 replace fuel gauge - telescopic steering column to be lowered?

Oliver,

You do not have to remove the cluster or loosen the column to remove the fuel/battery gauge pod. I just did this on a '63 gauge pod with no difficulty.

If this is a A/C car, you'll have to remove some of the ductwork/brackets for the left vent.

Remove the Hood Release bracket(2 bolts at the crossbrace) and secure it away from the dash area. Also remove the Headlight rollup switch, unplug the harness plug from it and move the harness wires out of the way.

Remove the light switch and tuck it's harness out of the way. Remove the 2 meter harness plugs and tuck them out of the way also.

Removing the above items will allow easier access to the gauge pod.

There are 3 small hex head screws holding the gauge pod. When facing the rear of the pod, 2 are to the right(upper/lower) and one is at the left center. Using a 1/4" drive ratchet and a combination of short extensions and/or a u-joint, you can get the 3 screws out. Here's a file photo from a '67 cluster so you can see the 3 screws(right side pod). The left center screw is the tricky one.

strng_and_cluster_15.jpg

Once the 3 screws are removed, carefully move the pod forward(front of car) to get the meter faces out of the cluster and angle it slightly to draw it down and away from the cluster.

To replace the pod, the left center screw is the toughest. I use a little clay or a piece of sticky tape to hold the screw to the socket to help get it started.

Rich

[Henry J.]

Re: '65 replace fuel gauge - telescopic steering column to be lowered?

Oliver:

I agree with Richard. I did this job on my 66 non-A/C car recently with no problem.

I did remove the driver's seat so that I could lay on my back and work in relative comfort.