1957 CLASSIC INSTRUMENTS GAUGE INSTALLATIONby Randy Irwin

Parts List:06-190 1957 Classic Instruments Gauge Kit White w/Black Numbers06-240 1957 Classic Instruments Clock White w/Black Numbers06-37 1957 Cigarette Lighter06-73 1957 5-Piece Dash Bezel Set06-41 1957 5-Piece Dash Indicator Set06-69 1957 Chrome Instrument Cluster Bezel Set06-72 1957 Chrome Instrument Cluster Trim06-105 1957 Billet Dash Trim Set06-106 1957 Billet Dash Trim Set w/o Radio Holes25-06 1957 Headlight Switch06-112 1957 Headlight Switch Retaining Bolt06-175 1957 Headlight Knob06-173 1957 Wiper Knob26-05 1955-57 Ignition Cylinder w/Keys06-44 1957 Ignition Switch Bezel25-05 1957 Ignition Switch26-29 1957 Ignition Switch Retaining Nut06-15 1957 Deluxe Heater Knobs38-91 1957 USA-6 240 WattStereo

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Tools Needed: Phillips Screwdriver3/8" Nut DriverPliersChannel Locks

Time Frame: 4 hours

The original 1957 instrument cluster included a speedometer, fuelgauge, temperature gauge, idiot lights and turn signals, but no volt oramp meter and no oil pressure gauge. If the car was not charging you hadto rely on the “GEN” warning light and if the oil pressure was getting low,the “OIL” warning light should really have said “TOO LATE”. Installing acomplete set of gauges will not only tell you what’s happening under thehood, they will also update and dress-up the interior of the car. In thisarticle, we will install the Classic Instruments Gauge Set in a 1957. Gaugesets for 1955 and ‘56 cars are also available and installation is similar. Allthe gauges are electronic and include all necessary senders. ClassicInstruments gauge kits can be used with just about any engine includingLS series and any transmission, manual or automatic.

#06-105

#06-240

Randy Irwin - Technical WriterRandy has been involved in the Chevy

parts business for over 25 years. He is a wiz-ard at creating, making and modifying customparts for Chevys.

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Photo 1: The 1957instrument clustercomes out as anassembled unit.The cluster is heldto the dash withfour #6 sheet metalscrews on the frontside and two 3/8"nuts on the backside just above thesteering column.

Photos 2a, 2b & 2c: The fueland temperature gauges areheld in place with two #10-32machine screws. Remove thetwo screws and the gaugeassembly can be removedfrom the cluster.

2a 2b

2c

Photo 3: The speedometer isheld in place with four #10-32machine screws. Remove thesefour screws and the speedometerassembly can be removed fromthe cluster.

Photos 4a & 4b: At the upper leftand right corners of the cluster thereis a double pod socket. The outerpods have green lenses for the turnsignal indicators. The inner podshave red lenses for the generator andoil warning indicators. The chromeon the thimbles that house the lensesis often pitted and the lenses may befaded and broken. The thimbles andlenses are held in with a retainerplate. The plates are held to thecluster with a single #10-32 screwon each side.

4a

4b

Photos 5a, 5b & 5c: Like most 1957 clusters, the chrome on thethimbles on our project car is pitted and needs to be replaced.The thimbles are included in the instrument cluster bezel kit P/N06-69. This kit also includes the red and green lenses for thethimbles, the generator “GEN” and oil “OIL” lens and thechrome trim rings for the three gauges. Drop the new thimblesinto the cluster and the green and red lenses in the appropriatethimbles.

5a 5b 5c

Photos 6a, 6b & 6c: The retainer plate has an arrow cut in onetower for the turn signal indicator lens while the other tower hastwo tabs to key the generator “GEN” or oil “OIL” indicator clearlenses.

6a 6b 6c

Photo 7: The cluster trimP/N 06-72 wraps aroundthe outer perimeter of thecluster and has tabs thatare bent over to hold thetrim in place.

Photos 8a, 8b & 8c: The bezel kit P/N 06-69 includes two smallchrome rings for the fuel gauge and temperature gauge and thelarge chrome ring for the speedometer. When the gauges areinstalled, the chrome rings are trapped between the face of thegauges and the cluster.

8a 8b 8c

Photos 9a & 9b: Theoriginal chromerings match theaftermarket gaugesso well that whenthey are installed onthe gauges they justabout disappear.

9a 9b

Photos 10a, 10b & 10c: The newClassic Instruments fuel and oilgauges can be installed in either pod.We choose to install the gauges likethe originals with the fuel gauge onthe right side and the temperature onthe left. On the back of the gaugesthere are four #10-32 brass studs.Two of the studs are for mounting

the gauge in the cluster and two of the studs are for the electricalconnections. Place one supplied #10 lock washer on eachmounting stud. When the mounting bracket is installed, the lockwashers will supply a small amount of load on the gauge to keepit tight in the cluster. Next, place the aluminum mounting bracketacross the back of each gauge and attach it to the cluster usingthe original #10-32 gauge mounting screws. Now, anchor the twostuds on the gauge to the mounting bracket using the supplied#10-32 brass nuts with the serrated washers.

10a

Photos 11a & 11b: The Classic Instruments speedometer is heldin place with a retaining ring. This ring has a notch at the top andbottom that will match up to the tabs on the instrument cluster.With the speedometer in place, install the retaining plate andanchor it in place using the original #8 machine screws.

11a 11b

Photo 12: With thenew gauges,chrome trim rings,new thimbles andlenses installed,the cluster lookslike a work of art -almost too nice toput in the car!

Photo 13: The two remainingstuds on the back of the gaugesare for the electrical connec-tions. One stud is marked “I” forignition and one stud is marked“S” for sender. The “I” studconnects to an ignition-on powersource and the “S” stud connectsto the appropriate sending unit.

Photos 14a & 14b: The temperature sending unit can be installedin the cylinder head or the intake manifold. The oil sending unitneeds to be installed in an oil galley port down by the oil filter ornext to the distributor on the back of the block.

14a 14b

Photo 15: The speedometersending unit attaches to thetransmission where thespeedometer cable attaches.The speedometer sending unithas a 72" three wire coaxialcable that will wire into thenew speedometer head. If your

transmission has an electronic sender, follow the wiring instruc-tions included with the kit.

Photos 16a & 16b:The unit includesa nine wire jackthat plugs into theback of thespeedometer.(see diagram onnext page).

16a

16b

10b 10c

Photos 17a & 17b: Whenever possible, use the same color wiresthe factory used. This will make connecting to the factory dashharness much easier to do. A pink wire will need to be run fromstud “I” on the two small gauges to the original pink wires thatwere connected to the original fuel and temperature gauges. Agreen wire should be connected from the “S” stud on the temper-ature gauge to the green wire that connected to the originaltemperature gauge. A tan wire will need to be connected from the“S” stud on the fuel gauge to the tan wire that connected to theoriginal fuel gauge. Each gauge has male spade connectors forthe lights. Connect a gray wire to each spade connector andconnect them to the gray wires that were connected to theoriginal gauges.

17a 17b

Photo 18:Using acouple ofzip ties, tieall the newwirestogether.

Photos 19a, 19b & 19c: Just about every dash component is nowavailable for the 1957 cars. While installing the new gauges, wewill also show some of the original and custom components thatare available. We decided to install custom billet dash trim withthe radio cut out P/N 06-105. If you prefer to delete the radiofrom the dash, use P/N 06-106. The trim is held in place at theends with supplied #6 sheet metal screws.

19c

19a 19b

Photos 20a & 20b: The chrome dash bezels for the headlightswitch, wiper switch, cigarette lighter and radio knobs are P/N06-73. The Bel Air plastic bezel indicators P/N 06-41 fit into thechrome bezels. The headlight switch P/N 25-06 is held to thedash with the headlight switch nut P/N 06-112. We also installedthe headlight switch knob and shaft P/N 06-175 and wiper switchknob P/N 06-173.

20a

20b

Diagram

InstrumentWiring Harness

Photos 23a, 23b & 23c: The ignition switch P/N 25-05 is held tothe dash with retaining nut P/N 26-29. There is a tab on theignition switch that keys into the slot on the dash to keep theswitch from turning. Install the switch from the back side of thedash and tighten the nut with a pair of channel locks.

23a 23b 23c

Photos 24a, 24b & 24c: The ignition switch nut is covered with achrome bezel P/N 06-44. The bezel is held to the nut with aspring steel retaining clip. Install the retaining clip into the bezelwith the teeth facing away from the dash. Now simply push thebezel onto the ignition switch nut.

24a 24b 24c

Photos 25a & 25b: The ignitionlock cylinder P/N 26-05 isinstalled after the ignition bezelis installed. Insert the lock cylinder into the ignition with thecylinder turned to the left of the “LOCK” position on theignition switch bezel. With the lock cylinder pushed all the wayin the ignition switch, turn it to the right. This will lock the lockcylinder into the ignition switch.

25a 25b

Photos 26a & 26b: The deluxe heater control panel has verticallevers with black plastic knobs P/N 06-15. The knobs haveretaining clips that when pushed on the levers hold the knobstight.

26a 26b

Photo 27: ClassicInstruments offers clocks tomatch their gauge kits. Weinstalled P/N 06-240 thatmatches our gauge set andmounts in the stock dashopening.

Photos 28a & 28b: Finally, installthe gauge cluster and connect theappropriate wires. The newgauges look fantastic and willwork even better! With all thenew components installed, theentire dash looks super nice. Now we need to get on the rest ofthe car. Good Luck!

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28b

Photos 21a & 21b: There are variousradios available that will fit right inthe original opening in the dash. Weinstalled the Custom Auto SoundUSA-6 AM/FM Cassette stereo P/N38-91. This radio has 240 watts andcan be connected to a CD player andhas iPod, DVD and satellite

hookups. The stereo includes the knobs and bezels.

21a

21b

Photos 22a, 22b & 22c: The cigarette lighter P/N 06-37 comescomplete with the element, socket, retainer and wiring pigtail.The lighter bezel from the dash bezel kit P/N 06-73 fits on thelighter housing. The lighter housing passes through dash and theretainer screws on from the back of the dash.

22a 22b

22c