C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

[Jamie F.]

I replaced my broken center gauge bezel with one from Keen parts. I swapped over the plastic lens, switch, little rubber pieces, red lenses, and screwed the gauge housing on to it.
Now the clear plastic lens is loose in there and moves back and forth...
The gauge housing is very tight and all the tabs on the sides are protruting up, so I know it is seated.
There were 6-7 little rubber spacers between the lens and new bezel which I put back it.
But now it moves around in there. I took it apart 7 times to double check everything and make sure the new bezel was the same as the original one.
What am I missing???
The only thing I noted was that the new bezel didn't have the correct little notch for the seat belt red lens and bulb housing, but it fit in there with a little force.
Any thoughts???
Thanks1

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

Jamie I have never taken the guage cluster out of my 68 or 70, but I have had the speedometer out of my 70 and I think the little rubber spacers are the same with the speedometer lens and the guage cluster.
Am not saying this is the problem with your guage cluster lens being loose in your new guage bezel, however you might be able to use the smallest vacuum hose about the same size as the rubber spacers. I lost a rubber spacer or two and that is what I used.
The rubber spacers take a "in use set" and may be to loose for your new installation. No one will know since they cannot be seen.
How much damage did your old guage bezel have? Sometimes a little application of JB Weld, surface conditioning, and paint can save a bezel.

[Jamie F.]

Re: C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

Jim,
Thanks for the reply!
I had the same thought. Those little spacers look like dried up licorice, but I figured that if they were holding the lens in place before, they should keep doing it. I though I may have lost something between the lens and gauges, some type of retainer or spacer, but I guess not.
I'll try some small vacuum hose as suggested.
My original bezel was broke at the place they all break at, up at the top.

[Ken A.]

Re: C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

Jim,
Thanks for the reply!
I had the same thought. Those little spacers look like dried up licorice, but I figured that if they were holding the lens in place before, they should keep doing it. I though I may have lost something between the lens and gauges, some type of retainer or spacer, but I guess not.
I'll try some small vacuum hose as suggested.
My original bezel was broke at the place they all break at, up at the top.

You purchased a repop bezel and they are very different from OEM. Mid America & Corvette Central still sell the OEM bezel.

[Jamie F.]

Re: C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

Ken,
What is the differences? I noted the hole for the seat belt lens was missing the notch, but otherwise it seems the same dimensions and look as the original.

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

The differences I've noted while doing interior judging include:

(1) Raise & finish of the radio legends: "Volume" and "Tuning"

(2) Treatment of the center bar across the seat belt warning indicator (originals were molded in and flush to adjacent bezel vs. being a 'tack on' assy to create a one fits all mold for the various early Shark cars where later cars lacked the reset push button below the indicator lamp).

[Jamie F.]

Re: C3 Center Gauge Cluster Lens Loose???

Jack,
Thanks for the info. I'll check those points tonight.
Have you noticed if the gauges actually also sit further back in the bezel?
That would explain my loose len glass and he need for bigger spacers.