PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => Parts Resources, Here is where you can find this or that. => Topic started by: woody53 on June 07, 2020, 07:23:57 PM
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I am the original owner of a 77 pinto runabout. The instrument cluster disintegrated on me a last week. I need help!! Where can I find another cluster?
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It was my experience that the cream colored plastic frame of the instrument cluster of the 76 dissolved. I looked at three 76 clusters at the junk yard and found them all trashed. I fixed my 76 with a 77 part and used a printed circuit from the 76. Here is a junkyard in Colorado that might have a 77, they did a few years ago. It may still have some as this yard doesn't get much traffic. They are only open to public on Sat. They will ship. 720-9384055 They answer phone
M-S
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Thank you for your help!
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I tried to get my son interested in 3D printing the cluster housings. Sorry to say he was not interested. It still is a viable opportunity to someone who wants to take up the challenge. BTW, my '73 had a cluster housing that appeared to be made of dehydrated moon dust. Not sure what year it was, but I found a very decent one in the wrecking yard. Not sure why some hold up and others don't. Those that don't seem to counter the often stated fact that, 'plastic never breaks down.'
I've included a picture of the quality of the one I found (as inspiration). In this case I modified it so the Tach/Boost Gauge from the Turbo Coupe replaced the gas/temp gauges. Lastly I've included a picture of what someone presented as a 'new in box' housing if anyone was considering 3D printing one.
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Thank you!
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Oh man, this is a constant worry! I managed to find a decent replacement for my '77 CW's main cluster (which was becoming chalkdust) a handful of years ago, and just recently finally secured a factory rally gauge cluster, which also seems in solid shape. But I feel like it's only a matter of time before old age comes for them too! Seems every now and again someone ruminates on/threatens to 3D print a run of these, but it never actually happens.
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There are 20 pintos in wrecking yard here. Every "76" was crumbs. Every other year was just fine. All cars are open to the elements. My 76 was trash, I was looking for an alternative. I used a 77 part with my 76 printed circuit. This worked fine. 77 was the only year with the correct size hole through the white plastic piece to fit my wiring plug. I did not look at 79-80 because they appear different on the outside.
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One of the possible issues of 3D printing is that FDM prints don't do good in the heat. The plastic has to be melted in order to print, which means it will melt in the heat of a dash. That being said I'd be happy to attempt it on my printer, I just need a solid file to print.
Aside from printing a new one, I might suggest reinforcing the delicate areas of the plastic in resin and fiberglass, you can buy these at any auto parts store.