[Johnny99]

I just received a dash insert backing plate manufactured by R.E.M Automotive. I thought it would simply drop into place i the dash bezel but I was wrong.

The bezel is out of the car and freshly painted. It wasn't rechromed. Because the aluminum is so thin I'm afraid of distorting it by trying to "snap-it" into place. It seems like not only is the ouside too large but the pod and heater panel cut outs may be too small. Is there a better unit available? Is this common?

[65 Wagon]

Just the plain aluminum or the woodgrain insert?

[Johnny99]

It was machine turned with the aluminum back. I was going to try one from Ames but I'm assuming they are all from the same supplier.

[Murf]

Hey Johnny99, I bought one. Hadn’t even looked at it yet. After I read your post I went out and checked it.
Got the same problem as you. Seems to be a little too big around the outside and too tight at the top of the gauge opening. Sucks don’t it.
Let me know if you figure anything out.

ETA, what’s the part number on yours? Did you get it from OPGI?

Murf


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[Johnny99]

Murf
Sorry I don't remember the part #. I bought it from the Parts Place and sent it back awhile ago.

There were too many spots that needed to be reworked for me to bother with it. I didn't see any way to work an individual area, get that to fit , and then do the next one. With all the adjustments it would have looked terrible when done.

[65 Wagon]

There are a few different parts. 64 and 65 original carriers are different and the reproduction carrier is also different. With 3 different dash inserts you need to make sure you have the correct one. They won't interchange.

[Johnny99]

This is an original carrier though I don't know if it is a 64-65. Are you sure the carriers and backing plate would be different for 64/65? I thought it was only the face since the 2 different materials were used.

[BOB VIDAN]

64 carriers are ribbed, 65 have the pebble finish.

[Johnny99]

Thanks Bob. So I have a 65.

So a 64 insert wouldn't fit a 65 carrier then?

[65 Wagon]

Originally Posted by Johnny99

Thanks Bob. So I have a 65.

So a 64 insert wouldn't fit a 65 carrier then?

Correct. There are slight differences in the inserts. They don't interchange.

[Johnny99]

That would explain it then. I bought a 64 insert because I wanted the engine turned face. So disregard my rant because I'm an idiot.

[65 Wagon]

Well it's something anyone considering this change can learn from. The Ames PN for the '65 dash in swirled aluminum (non-air) is A271AS. With AC would be A271CS.

[1_Wild_Cat]

So disregard my rant because I'm an idiot.

Seems overly harsh to yourself....I also didn't know that the differences extended beyond the finish of the bezel. Glad to learn something new.

Not that I am really considering doing this but...When you see a 64 that someone has put 65 Rally Gauges in - did they have to change the whole dash housing?

[Murf]

Originally Posted by Johnny99

That would explain it then. I bought a 64 insert because I wanted the engine turned face. So disregard my rant because I'm an idiot.

Well, I bought mine because it was cheaper. “How different can they be?” I thought.

Yes, I’m an idiot too! I have the A271AS coming. I will know how different they are soon.

Murf


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[Johnny99]

Murf , keep me posted.

[Murf]

Originally Posted by Johnny99

Murf , keep me posted.

Hey Johnny, just got it. Went out & tried it on my spare gauge panel. It fits good. I almost couldn’t get it back off. It just fell into place, kinda caught me by surprise.

I laid one over the other and their are small differences.

So there you have it. One idiot to another.
Murf


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[Johnny99]

Murf
Not sure how I missed this. Thanks for the update. Who would have thunk? Glad it worked out, how's it look? I'll be ordering one soon.

[Peter Serio]

Very good info here. The 64 and 65 plastic dash bezels look very similar; as pointed out above the 64 has those horizontal ridges where the 65 background is camera case finish. But when getting a new wood or aluminum insert small variations in the gauge tunnels and heater control openings are most apparent.

[Murf]

Originally Posted by Johnny99

Murf
Not sure how I missed this. Thanks for the update. Who would have thunk? Glad it worked out, how's it look? I'll be ordering one soon.

Looks good. Just like a 64 I guess..

The wife’s 65 she had when we were dating had the engine turned insert. Must have had the cluster changed before she got it. Anyway that’s what she wanted on this one. So that’s what she gets.