1977-1982 Corvette Gauge Cluster & Shift Plate Restoration

One area in the interior that always seems to show alot of wear is the gauge cluster and shift plate.  The bezel gets scratched along with the lense just from normal use.  The shifter plate gets worn, scratched or even cracked.  A lot of owners do not want to work on these areas because they are worried about disturbing or damaging the gauges.  Well, you shouldn’t be.  They are fairly easy to remove and even easier to restore.  Zip Corvette Parts , 8067 Fast Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, (800) 962-9632 , has almost everything you would need from bezels to sockets. 

Our Project 77’s gauge cluster was really showing its age.  The lenses were scratched, the bezel was worn and the shifter plate was dented.  With one call to Zip’s, we received all of the parts we needed and easily restored the cluster and shifter plate in one afternoon.

Now let’s get our hands dirty! 

corvette_cluster_01
Step 1

01: Here is everything we needed for our dash restoration:  the gauge bezel and lens, gauge gaskets, air conditioner duct seals, shift plate, console screws, clock knob and sleeve, ashtray cover and console light lens kit.

corvette_cluster_02
Step 2

02: Start by disconnecting the battery.  Remove the console side panels, radio knobs and nuts, gauge cluster screws and shift plate to gauge cluster screws.

corvette_cluster_03
Step 3

03: When all of the mounting screws are removed, carefully pull the gauge cluster out and disconnect the wiring harness plug.  Push the two tabs toward each other at the top of the plug to release it from the cluster.  Also disconnect the map/courtesy light assembly.  Now remove the cluster from the car.

corvette_cluster_04
Step 4

04: Remove the shifter knob and hardware. Unscrew the temp control bezel retaining screws to remove the shift plate.  The temp control bezel should also be removed from the control assembly so that it can be restored.

corvette_cluster_05
Step 5

05: Start the disassembly of the gauge cluster by removing the clock knob and sleeve.

corvette_cluster_06
Step 6

06: Now remove the gauge cluster retaining screws on the back of the bezel and carefully pull off the gauge cluster.

corvette_cluster_07
Step 7

07: Remove the map and gauge light assembly from the top of the gauge bezel.

corvette_cluster_08
Step 8

08: Carefully remove the air conditioner duct retaining clips and remove the adjusting ducts.  If the ducts are broken, contact Zip.  They have them in stock.

corvette_cluster_09
Step 9

09: Use a soft brush to clean off the gauges.  If any are defective, now is the time to replace them.  Zip can help you here.

corvette_cluster_10
Step 10

10: We wanted everything to look new so we refinished the gauge face spacer.  Thoroughly clean it then wipe it off with 3M’s General Purpose Cleaner #08984.  Now refinish it with a Semi-Gloss Black.

corvette_cluster_11
Step 11

11: While you are at it, thoroughly clean the temp control bezel with any type of spray cleaner, such as Fantastic, and a soft toothbrush.  After it is dry, refinish it with Semi-Gloss Black.

corvette_cluster_12
Step 12

12: When the bezel is thoroughly dry, use One Shot Letter Enamel to repaint all of the information that was on it.  Silver for the lettering.  Red, Light Blue, and Medium Blue for the temperature range.

corvette_cluster_13
Step 13

13: Start the gauge cluster reassembly by installing the air conditioner duct seals.  These have a self-stick adhesive and are easy to put into place.

corvette_cluster_14
Step 14

14: Re-install the air conditioner ducts and push the retaining clips back into place properly before you attach the clips.

corvette_cluster_15
Step 15

15: Now install the new lens into the map/courtesy light and re-attach it to the large bezel.

corvette_cluster_16
Step 16

16: You will notice that the new gauge bezel does not have a hole for the clock stem.  This has to be drilled.  Place the gauge lens into place onto the bezel.  Now mark the clock stem opening on the back of the gauge bezel.

corvette_cluster_17
Step 17

17: Now remove the gauge lens.  Put a 3/16” drill bit into a reversible drill and using your mark; carefully drill a hole into the bezel with the drill in reverse.  This may sound dumb but with the drill in reverse, you will not turn a high RPM with the drill bit and not melt the plastic.

corvette_cluster_18
Step 18

18: Install the gauge lens gasket and the red information lenses into place.

corvette_cluster_19
Step 19

19: Place the gauge face spacer and information lens fillers into place on the new lens.

corvette_cluster_20
Step 20

20: Carefully align the gauge cluster with the gauge face spacer and set it into place.  When you are sure everything is aligned, re-install the mounting screws.

corvette_cluster_21
Step 21

21: Install the clock knob and sleeve.

corvette_cluster_22
Step 22

22: Re-assemble the shifter plate.  Install the shift boot, ashtray cover, lighter socket and shift pattern indicator.

corvette_cluster_23
Step 23

23: Before you re-install the gauge assembly, check all of the bulbs and replace any that are broken or burned out.  They are a #194 bulb and are available at most auto parts stores.

corvette_cluster_24
Step 24

24: Place the restored temp control bezel back into place and then re-install the shifter plate.

corvette_cluster_25
Step 25

25: Place the gauge cluster into the dash.  Reconnect the wiring harness and map light wiring.  Re-install the radio and all of the attaching screws.  Helpful Hint:  Before you finish the reassembly, reconnect the battery and check all of your lights, gauges, switches, and radio.  It is much easier to repair now than after you have put everything back into place.

corvette_cluster_26
Step 26

26: If everything checks out, replace the console side covers and shift knob and hardware.

corvette_cluster_27
Step 27

27: Here is the completed gauge cluster and console all restored and ready for the road again.

1977-1982 Corvette Gauge Cluster & Shift Plate Restoration: Restoring the 1977-1982 Corvette Gauge Cluster & Shift Plate

Source: Zip Corvette Parts 8067 Fast Lane | Mechanicsville, VA 23111 | (800) 962-9632Corvette Parts List Related to Article:

Instrument Cluster Bezels:

Instrument Cluster Gasket Kit:

Instrument Cluster Parts:

Shifter Upper Trim Plate:

Upper Trim Plate Parts:

2 Comments

  1. Jeff Coning

    Do you have a catalog for gen 3 vettes

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *