1960s 1967 dash reassembly

[kyle242gt]

Hi all - I followed FSM when removing gauge cluster (to redo faces with vinyl decals).

They're not great, but better than the rusty mess that was there before.

I went to put things back together, and decided the bezel was grungy enough to get a repaint.


Now that I've got it all apart, I'm wondering if it'd be wiser to put the cluster and switchgear (except for radio, I think it might be too bulky) on the bezel first, then put the whole assembly in as a unit.

Reason being, two of the six screws that hold the cluster to the bezel are really challenging to access, so this could make that a lot simpler.  As a plus, it'd avoid potentially scratching the cluster lens putting things back together in situ.  Since the FSM doesn't go into the bezel removal/reinstallation from what I can tell, sort of flying blind.  Would be a bummer to put things in place and realize I can't get to this-or-that and have to go back to square one.

Thoughts?

[kyle242gt]

PSA - if repainting the bezel, use primer.  Sure could have saved some time and frustration!  As a plus, the layer after layer of paint and primer sanded smooth got the finish coat above all the pitting, so that's a win.

And the vinyl decal cured itself in place nicely.  Only flaws are my fault (unsmooth surface, too much window cleaner (aka installation fluid) and too little attention to clockface.  Still an amazing improvement over rusted stock.

In case it helps someone down the road, what I did was:
Put HVAC and wiper controls into bezel. 
Lay down a towel, rest the bezel on the steering column and dash assembly.
Wrestle light control into place (made difficult on my car as the auto-dimming wires are pretty short and didn't have a plug).
Put the ignition switch in. 
Connect wires/vac lines for wipers, hvac.  Bezel still sitting loose.
Install cluster, six screws, snug down.  Install speedo cable. 
Work the whole assembly back and in; had to lift the right side up and over the dash lip to get clearance for the bezel around the dash innards.  Not easy, but doable.
Route wiring harness around, keeping track of radio, map light, auto temp wires.  Plug into cluster, using the wiggle room from the not-yet-bolted-down bezel to make it a little easier.
Install radio from underneath, put in side screw to hold it in place after putting control rods through bezel.  Connect wires.
Install five (?) screws holding bezel to dash.

Still have to put the shift indicator back, but while I'm in there I want to see if I can reconnect power antenna wires to the originals (cut in the engine bay, with a hardwired switch in the lower dash panel).  Would like to repurpose that switch for my air ride compressors.  Plus I'm tickled that the AM/FM radio works, so would like to restore that functionality.

I realize this would be easier with pictures, but if you have the FSM, should be pretty clear. 

In hindsight, I would have gone the reverse of this to get the cluster out.  Far simpler than removing left-side dash AC ducting to get enough room to remove speedo cable.  And that lower-left cluster-to-bezel screw (see my other thread) was a bear.  Super easy to get to with the bezel loose.