Beginning restoration advice

[CaptainAtom]

Hey everyone, I'm here because I'm hoping to start working on getting my 67 charger up and running. First I want to apologize to everyone who answered my questions only for me to disappear. I think life is done kicking me in the balls and I can actually start putting time and money into my car.

Now when I first got my charger I started to try to work on it and pulled the instrument cluster and hadn't disconnected the battery and I ended up getting two of the wires to touch and I'm pretty sure I shorted some stuff out. Now I also screwed myself over by taking the car to someone who's a thief and ran off with a lot of mine, and a bunch of other people's money. So now I have to replace the instrument cluster and I'm pretty sure the battery needs replacing along with the key ignition and door handles and locks since the dude ran off with the keys as well.

So with that out of the way my plan is to pull the dash and start going through the electrical and wiring to find what's working, what needs to be replaced, actually installing all the new locks, and installing a stereo and speakers, and finally the ignition key part and a new instrument cluster and an interior LED light conversion kit.

Now to do that I'll need to have a working battery, so if anyone can recommend a battery it would be greatly appreciated.

I think the next thing I need is some gauges that will fit the instrument cluster and again if anyone can point me in the right direction for gauges it would be greatly appreciated.


Finally I'm a complete novice to all of this but all the components for the instrument cluster are the gauges, the lighting so I can see them while driving at night, sending units for the speedometer, battery, engine temperature, (the one that tells me if the car is close to over heating. Sorry don't know the specific name for that) fuel, and the battery charge gauge. (Again I'm not sure what the name of that part is) Now I'm not planning to just replace everything but if there are components that don't work that I need to replace could someone tell me what parts I might be missing?

 

[Dave6T4]

For the battery: a Walmart Group 27, with a Weskcar cap and decal set. Go to their website for pictures and ordering info.

 

[#41]

Wires can spark without shorting anything out permanently, so don't assume the worst. Hopefully you are ok.

Your car has a special dash set up with electric luminescent gauges. It is really best rebuilt by an expert unless you plan on replacing the whole cluster with aftermarket gauges, in which case they will come with new sending units when you buy them.

The speedometer is driven by a gear in the trans through a cable to the speedo itself. There is no "sending unit" per se.

The fuel gauge sending unit is inside the gas tank. I wouldn't just go replacing it until you know the gauge is ok.

Your battery is probably a group 24 or 27. Any auto store can help you out.

 

[ruffcut]

For assembly of the dash make yourself a jig to hold it and you can also test to make sure lights and gages are working. Two AA batteries will give you 3 volt and the gages work on 4 volts, so you can safely test the gages with no harm. I'm sure other members may provide more info on that when you get to that point. If you have a question, just ask, lots of knowledge here on this site and all are happy to help.

 

[radical rob]

Some parts don’t work unless you have enough power to them. I have used a battery charger for this in the past. Be careful and good luck

 

[CaptainAtom]

Wires can spark without shorting anything out permanently, so don't assume the worst. Hopefully you are ok.

Your car has a special dash set up with electric luminescent gauges. It is really best rebuilt by an expert unless you plan on replacing the whole cluster with aftermarket gauges, in which case they will come with new sending units when you buy them.

The speedometer is driven by a gear in the trans through a cable to the speedo itself. There is no "sending unit" per se.

The fuel gauge sending unit is inside the gas tank. I wouldn't just go replacing it until you know the gauge is ok.

Your battery is probably a group 24 or 27. Any auto store can help you out.

Hey I appreciate the reply. Unfortunately the the entire cluster went with the thieving dick who was supposed to be working on my and other people's cars so unfortunately I have no choice but to replace the entire cluster from the bezel to the lighting and gauges. As for the the gauges and the "sending units" I appreciate the advice but I don't plan on just replacing everything until I know if they actually have to be replaced. There's no reason to spend money on something that isn't broken! Now just to make sure I understand correctly, you're saying that the "analog" gauges will come with their own "sending" unit? Also I really appreciate your help.

 

[CaptainAtom]

For assembly of the dash make yourself a jig to hold it and you can also test to make sure lights and gages are working. Two AA batteries will give you 3 volt and the gages work on 4 volts, so you can safely test the gages with no harm. I'm sure other members may provide more info on that when you get to that point. If you have a question, just ask, lots of knowledge here on this site and all are happy to help.

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View attachment 1732347

Hey much the info is much appreciated! Once I get there I'll be back to ask more questions.

 

[#41]

Hey I appreciate the reply. Unfortunately the the entire cluster went with the thieving dick who was supposed to be working on my and other people's cars so unfortunately I have no choice but to replace the entire cluster from the bezel to the lighting and gauges. As for the the gauges and the "sending units" I appreciate the advice but I don't plan on just replacing everything until I know if they actually have to be replaced. There's no reason to spend money on something that isn't broken! Now just to make sure I understand correctly, you're saying that the "analog" gauges will come with their own "sending" unit? Also I really appreciate your help.

Argh! That blows.

Yes, when you buy new aftermarket gauges they come with sending units calibrated specifically for the instrument.

 

[Don Frelier]

I wouldn't put aftermarket gauges in a 66 charger.
It would ruin one of the highlights of the car.
Place an ad here. Have some patience and look for a good replacement.

 

[RedBeard]

Hey I appreciate the reply. Unfortunately the the entire cluster went with the thieving dick who was supposed to be working on my and other people's cars so unfortunately I have no choice but to replace the entire cluster from the bezel to the lighting and gauges. As for the the gauges and the "sending units" I appreciate the advice but I don't plan on just replacing everything until I know if they actually have to be replaced. There's no reason to spend money on something that isn't broken! Now just to make sure I understand correctly, you're saying that the "analog" gauges will come with their own "sending" unit? Also I really appreciate your help.

Todd here has some usually for sale and working well. Also does the power packs and headlight motors. Home - Todd's Restorations