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Interior Questions: Sails, Back Armrest Panels, Instrument Cluster


FeSo4man

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Hey all, 

I’m finally getting deep into my “snowball to end all snowballs” resto and have almost all of the interior down to metal. I’m starting to get a list together of things I need to get ordered and a plan together on how to do it and was hoping I could get some knowledge from y’all!

Back armrest panels and sails 

Do the panels with the rear armrests generally need replaced/rebuilt? They’re in relatively good shape from what I can tell except for the cardboard being a little flimsy and the outward facing stuff still looks good, just didn’t know if that’s something that should be changed while I have everything out. 
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The space behind the armrests was sealed by heavy paper with adhesive. I saved the paper just in case, but is there a better replacement option? Also, Are those adhesive strips sold pre-made or do I just need to put a bead down and stick it on?

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Last for this section: The insulation in my sails is shot. Are you guys using dynamat to replace that or is there an OEM repro kit?

Interior colors 

My lack of intuition on colors is coming out on this one haha. According to the GM color code sheet I found Cottonwood Green (my exterior color) was only available with Jade green, black and sandalwood interior options. My dash and seats are definitely Jade green, but to my eyes the package tray seem more like the “dark green” option. I don’t have a frame of reference for what the dark green interiors look like or what the true color of the repro package trays is like; can anyone confirm what color would be correct to match this?

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As far as interior paint, I found rattle cans in matte and semi gloss that match the factory numbers, but are labeled “Cadillac” and I know there could be some variance between years and GM make. What sources do you guys recommend for interior paint?

Roof insulation 

Taking the headliner hardware off to redo all of this seems overkill. I was thinking of either cutting the pieces at the visible areas and applying Dynamat in the easy areas and leaving the rest, or cleaning off the loose insulation and applying the mat right onto the existing. What would you recommend? 

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Instrument cluster 

Last section- I would like to upgrade my cluster to having gauges instead of dummy lights and an in-dash tach. I’ve seen full SS dashes available, but this is a 350 column shift and as cool as it would be I don’t see a floor shift conversion happening anytime soon, which would mean I need to get the gauges separately and install in my existing cluster. What would be the best way to go about this? I’ve seen people replacing the clock with a tach and leaving the large fuel gauge which I would be fine with, but would the existing circuit run the amp and temp gauges correctly? If I fit it as an SS dash would be (large tach and clock, small fuel gauge amp and temp) would I need to get an SS dash circuit, and if so will it fit correctly in my column shift car? 
 

Thank you all for any answers you might have, the search function and great YouTube videos from Jared Richey have already saved me a whole lot of time and cussing!

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If going to a Factory Tach and all gauges put in factory location, you will need a New Tach Circuit Board Ribbon as it is designed to operate those gauges in those factory locations.  Am sure others will advise on your other queries that I can't answer to.  Good luck with your Snow Ball.  Thought I had finished mine a few years ago but nope, I was wrong......................:doh:

 

Doug

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Thanks for the tips guys. Doug, I'm hoping I can knock most of it out by doing everything I want now but I have a feeling I'll be digging back in sooner than later once I'm down with this round 😆

After some more research I was able to find a kit and instructions for conversion to SS style dash from dummy lights without buying the whole cluster. Outside of the circuit and gauges the only other change required is the temp send unit which is included in the kit. Links below. 

https://www.hitechclassics.com/collections/ebay-motors-parts-accessories-vintage-car-truck-parts-interior-other/products/1971-71-72-chevelle-ss-el-camino-monte-tach-gauges-tachometer-temp-fuel-amp

Idiot light to gauge conversion.pdf

Still searching for answers on the interior colors if anyone has any insights!

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