Had a minor set back today wondered why my instrument cluster wasn't working, so I pulled it out and it came out in lots of pieces. However the circuit board is in good condition unlike the rest of the cluster ( see picture ). So now I have to find a new cluster, shouldn't be too hard, I hope found a salvage that claims to have lots of Pinto's going to check it out this Friday. May also try a Mustang II cluster, if I can find one in one of the inlaws Mustangs.
Oh No, the crumblies.. Yes it's happened to many of us...
I hope someone here might have one for you, good luck,
Glad I am not the first, to experience this. Guess its to be expected after sitting in the woods for 20 years.
I just pulled one from a 78 Pinto Wagon while I was in Spokane a few weeks ago. It is in good shape and holding up, but the plastic is flaking a bit around the inside holes of the securing tabs that hold it to the black bezel face, it does hold together though!
The speedometer isn't any good, as it bounces up and down 5 mph from what you are actually doing, so you would probably want to use your existing speedometer in it. I don't know if the fuel gauge works, but when I tested it, it seemed to work fine.
I can pull the gauges and stuff and send you the white piece if you can't find one at your local yards. I would be asking $15 plus shipping for it. If you need the lens or a better condition black bezel (not sure how much shiny you still have around yours), I could send you that too. I would pull the gauges from it to save on shipping. It would probably be better to keep your original ones anyway, just to ensure readout accuracy.
I would like to coat the white plastic with PVC cement for you though, just to ensure it doesn't break or degrade anymore than it has already begun to.
I had one do the samething. there are 3 types for the pinto 71-73 74-78 79-80 in the early one the plug was smaller and had fewer conections 79-80 is square in style. mustang II are different
phil
Thanks for the info, went out to check the one in a parts car out back had the same problem, darn.
Welcome to the wonderful world of 30+ year old oxidized plastics. I had the same heartbreak when I pulled mine!
Chris
got instrument cluster fixed , hope to get the ac installed this weekend and the interior pulled and start body work and paint prep next.