49 Chry Instrument Cluster

[bobostski]

In my 49 Chrysler Windsor 4 door, when the ignition is turned on and the emergency brake is engaged, both map lights blink as a warning. Not easy to see during the day but very effective at night.

 

I was facing taking out the ignition switch because the  former owner couldn't find the keys. So I took the lock out of the drivers door to a locksmith, paid $65 to have a key made and it works great in the ignition. The locksmith said she had to take the tumbler apart and spent 3 hours to make an exact match. Sound like I saved money on not having to buy band-aids

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My car is very original and has never been taken apart. If you need some photo, let me know. It still had the tar paper covering the hole in the spare tire well.

 

You'll enjoy driving your car once you get it on the road. I have 400 miles on mine since getting it running again. Mine sat since 1980 and I've had it for 1 year. I took it on the expressway last week for the first time and it handles like a dream. 65 -70 was no problem. I was a little worried about the braking at that speed.

 

Took it to a car show and on the show widow placard in special features I wrote "Grandpa Car". Took 2nd in Mopar beating some muscle and street rods.

 

Good luck to you.

[rb1949]

The ol' buggy is out of the garage for the first time in quite a while, under it's own power. We both enjoyed the bright sunshine and warm air. Adding that extra bit of wire mentioned above really helped increase the working room  behind the cluster. Even enough to attach the speedo cable. Lucky the oil & temp gauge needles were not damaged hanging in the mess. With everything in place, the cluster was gently shoved back into position. All that stuff is jammed back in there somewhere. Time to test the (new) ignition, and she fired up. Quite a relief after such a tedious project to find things working. A smile feels good. Now I can continue to hide all those wires hanging around yet. Pictures as promised. Replacing a few wires turned into a multitude of projects. One of which was the decision to repaint the dash. Only 1 piece was actually removed, the rest was done inside the car. Here's the dash masked off and primer coated. There is not a lot of metal 'dash' in this car, the biggest part, besides the cluster housing, is the steering column.

 

 

I opted for 2 tone. The small parts of the dash & steering column are Metallic Charcoal. The cluster housing is a Satin Nickel finish. I like it with the abundance of chrome in there. Those re-painted gauge needles really made a difference too.

 

 

I hope your project brings a smile today. Let's go for a ride.

 

 

[Niel Hoback]

That is beautiful, alright. Congrats on a job well done.

[rb1949]

Well, car was all working fine for 2 days after re-wire and reassembly. Took it for a ride, and 4 hr later the battery was dead. Suggestions pointed to checking the regulator. Not sure what was going on there, a post on regulator testing didn't help. There was a drain on the battery, from somewhere. Pulled cluster back out. Got lucky fiddling with wires to the amp gauge, had mis-wired one. What I have doesn't match the wiring diagram. Did repair and let it set 2 days, no battery drain, ample starting power. Reassembled, and hopefully back in business. Now can tidy up things and put rest of dash back in. Finished installing my custom aluminum sill plates. Did you see them in the other post? Classy! Too nice to work, time for a beach break.

[rb1949]

GRRRR, what the _____? Remember while instrument cluster was out I fiddled with speedometer, odometer, trip odometer, and trip odometer re-set cable. Bench testing showed all components to be working prior to putting back in the cluster. Now that it's all assembled, the odometer rolls over, but the speedometer doesn't register speed? How can that be, they work off the same gear and cable? Another kooky challenge .Rechecked while cluster was out a 2nd time, all worked in the house. Still no speedometer. Any words of wisdom welcome.

[_shel_ny]

If it is like my 48 Dodge, the odometer is mechanically driven. The speedo needle moves by induction. Spinning magnet located behind the needle.

[rb1949]

The speedo components come out of the cluster as a separate unit. Twice it all has worked properly in the house using a drill. Once back in, everything functions but the speed? Cable inserted all the way and obviously spinning to turn odometer. (If no action up top, would check the tranny gear) Something odd is confusing the weak brain. Can pull cable and re-examine shaft end to make sure it is square, not rounded and perhaps slipping inside(?)  Can the inner shaft just be pulled out from the top, and a new cable slid back in? Have to be sure it goes in the tranny gear.

[DonaldSmith]

If the odometer rolls over but the needle doesn't move, perhaps something is binding the needle when you install the instrument cluster.  

 

The needle should be free to swing, being held back by a spring. The spinning magnet induces the needle to move; the more spinning, the more movement.  

[rb1949]

End of the cable is square.  Speedo unit is in it's own housing, screwed to the cluster. Works in the basement, not in the car. Another '49 trick! This is weird.

 

edit: giving up for a while on the speedo. No sense removing it again, knowing it will work out of the car. No reply if the inner cable can be pulled out from the top? I presume the tranny end is also square and slips int o the drive gear?

Edited June 3, 2016 by rb1949

[rb1949]

Car has been starting fine, no battery drain, so electrical issue seems resolved. (Didn't think, should have taken new ignition cylinder to have it re-keyed to match original key.) As promised have not fiddled with speedo again, yet. It did bounce up to 5mph at about 25mph. Will eventually look at tranny gear, but doubtful that is the problem. What is a good source for gear replacement? If anyone is interested, I put the leftover gauge needle paint in the classifieds. Installed under hood light. Tucking wires up out of sight. Dash pieces going back on. Clock doesn't work, but it now lights up! Made decision not to reinstall original non-working MONSTER radio. Nor to chop up radio and just put in knob/dials. For this model, that left two big holes in the dash. Original covers not necessary. Fabricate! How do you like my radio delete plates?