My Restored 73 Z28 Cluster

[BillyDean7173]

Here's the cluster Daniel just restored for me for the 73Z. He really did some kick ass work and I'm super pleased. He put a lot of time into it and I really appreciate the help.

I basically gave him three clusters and he took the best parts and made the restored one. I provided the lens from Hugger Performance. The bucket and printed circuit are OEM. Everything else is OEM as well.

As you can see, he switched out the ammeter and put in a voltmeter. Then he wired up his oil gauge that I purchased from Pete at Fbody Warehouse. Got rid of that silly ass clock. He also replaced the incandescent bulbs with LEDs for the background lighting, but kept the incandescents for the turn signals, high beam, and e-brake so I wouldn't need any relays. Finally, he repaired the gear indicator.

The dash bezel is from a 73 LT that I got from my bud hoov81.

Daniel is a real stand up guy and I consider him a good friend now that we've done business. I'm looking forward to him doing some custom work for me on an interior part that we've discussed and I'll post some pics of that when it's done.

Thank you very much, Daniel. You kicked ass on this cluster, bud and I can't wait till it's installed.

 

[Rickyb1968]

I just ordered the oil gauge from him today.

Where exactly did you get the complete lens? With my old lens after I remove the clock I am left with the small hole. I'm wondering if we can now get lenses without that hole. Thanks Ricky

 

[Twisted_Metal]

Looks great!

Nice Job, Daniel!

Are you going to use two oil pressure sending units to retain the oil light function?

BTW... You CAN use LEDs for the turn signal indicator without messing up the function.
The turn signal indicators (79-81 clusters) are pretty dim and I highly recommend LEDs for those sockets.
The earlier ones work pretty well with incandescent bulbs but I think you would like the improvement when driving in the daytime.

 

[1972_Z-28]

Yes very outstanding work and attention to detail and great person to deal with.
My gauges he restored are great to bad my car is in paint hell.
Yours look awesome!!

 

[BillyDean7173]

Where exactly did you get the complete lens? With my old lens after I remove the clock I am left with the small hole. I'm wondering if we can now get lenses without that hole. Thanks Ricky

I got the lens from a guy that sold me some wheels and other parts. Hugger Performance may be the house brand of D&R Classic Automotive.
Here's a link to the lens.
https://www.drclassic.com/catalog/Camaro/Interior/F00059.html

 

[BillyDean7173]

Are you going to use two oil pressure sending units to retain the oil light function?

No, I hadn't planned on it. The bulb is still in the socket for the light, so I'm guessing it will just come on when the ignition key is turned on and then go out. Not trying to be a smart ass, but the idea of installing a gauge is so I wouldn't have to rely on the warning light. I'm not going for 100% stock or concours. Hell, I'm cutting holes in the console for cup holders!

BTW... You CAN use LEDs for the turn signal indicator without messing up the function.
The turn signal indicators (79-81 clusters) are pretty dim and I highly recommend LEDs for those sockets.
The earlier ones work pretty well with incandescent bulbs but I think you would like the improvement when driving in the daytime.

You may be right. I know that when I discussed it with Daniel, we thought there may be a problem with the on/off function with using LEDs for the signals if a relay (my terminology) wasn't used. Possible that I misunderstood him or we just decided it wasn't necessary. I know I said no relays.
When my 71 was a daily driver, I never had a problem with seeing the turn signal indicator. They worked pretty well as you said. At night, they were very bright. Whatever color of green the lens is, it's the coolest ever. The blue lens for the high beam indicator is cool, too. You know, it's the small things like that when I think about them that makes me really miss driving that car.
Oh well, the 73Z has to come first for wifey, then I can get back to what I was going to start in 2013: restoring the 71.

 

[BillyDean7173]

Where exactly did you get the complete lens? With my old lens after I remove the clock I am left with the small hole. I'm wondering if we can now get lenses without that hole.

I forgot to mention the Hugger Performance lens still has the hole for the clock knob. Daniel has a plug he puts in there.

 

[l16pilot]

i just sent my gauges to Daniel for my 70Z project...super nice guy to deal with.

I got the lens from a guy that sold me some wheels and other parts. Hugger Performance may be the house brand of D&R Classic Automotive.

When I spoke to Daniel, he suggested the Hugger perf lens...said i was a much better piece and fit much better to the cluster than the OER brand lens. I just received my Hugger lens and it does fit nice

 

[Rickyb1968]

Thanks guys I appreciate you getting back with me. Ricky

 

[Twisted_Metal]

I forgot to mention the Hugger Performance lens still has the hole for the clock knob. Daniel has a plug he puts in there.

That I'm aware.... GM didn't provide a lens specifically for that lack of optional equipment.
Camaros optioned without a clock had a clear, plastic plug in that hole. (Probably the same type of plug Daniel uses.)
My 78 cluster had that plug.