Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Well I got the old instrument cluster out with some interesting contortions and expletives. I now have to id and organize all the wires under the dash, whew!

This leaves me with a question about the chrome rings around each gauge and clock. What is the recommended procedures of removing them for replacement? I have replacements that are in way better shape than the originals. I noticed that they have some sharp points that seem to grab the metal cut-out. I don't want to damage the fragile gold mesh around each gauge.

Thank you for any help.

Look carefully at the old rings if you can get a good look at the back of them. When you say sharp points on the new ones, does it look as if they may have been crimped at one time and that crimp has been opened or filed off.

If memory serves, on the last dash I took apart, it appeared the rings were held on by a crimp or raised ridge area behind the sheetmetal. I believe the construction of the assy is a sandwich with screen, padding and base metal then the rings and other bezels inserted and expanded in a few spots against the sheetmetal of the dash locking them together. If the new ones have real points instead, I wonder if they are a field item with a different attachment.

If you do remove them, most likely you will find the screen has some fading. You may then decide to refinish the screen because if the new rings don't go back exactly there will be little darker semi circles around any freshly uncovered area which will be very noticeable.

The replacement rings came from a 55 400's dash assy. that I won on e-bay. They look to be the same as on my 56 Exec. If it's too much trouble, I just try to polish the old ones and leave them in place.

The rings may look the same, but the metal screen from the 55 is a different pattern and is slightly faded. I hope that I won't have to replace the metal screen with that one. I'll be able to tell more when I see the car tomorrow.

if the trim rings are from a 55 400, the clock ring will be the wrong size. 56 clocks are a larger dia than 55's. there was also white cloth behind the mesh that should be replaced. there is a huge difference in the apperance of the dash between ones that have had the cloth replaced and ones that have not. if the interior of the car is gutted like you said earlier, the dash would be a lot easier to work on if it was unbolted and laying on the floor. that's how i do all my dash work. once i found out how easy a packard dash is to "drop", its the only way i'll work on one now!

I've replaced a few of the chrome instrument 'rings' and left those that polished up nicely. The gold mesh facing was undamaged and all 'senior' instruments are in place. I did buy a 56 senior clock to go with the 56 senior gauges.

Now I need to straighten out the wiring, more nights under the dash (will 'drop' the dash if needed)

The interior has been finished with new leather, fabric, carpet, headliner, windlace, and painted trim. It's truely a beautiful sight. I'll post some pictures soon.

I got the interior restored prior to my TL system going TU (or in this case...DU - Dagmars UP) Here are some pics...

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