Gauges Helppppppp!

[2ifbyc]

Hey guys, I have a 1990 Cobalt Condure. Im trying to replace the gauges. The problem I have is the existing gauges are an odd size. All the 2 inch holes are a little smaller then the regular 2 inch aftermarket gauges and the 3 inch are closer to 4 inches. Do they make new gauges in these sizes or do I have to rebuild the whole dash. If so, how do I do that? What do I build it out of to make it look stock or close to it.. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance guys! Mike

 

[2ifbyc]

Gauges Helppppppp!

Hey guys, I have a 1990 Cobalt Condure. Im trying to replace the gauges. The problem I have is the existing gauges are an odd size. All the 2 inch holes are a little smaller then the regular 2 inch aftermarket gauges and the 3 inch are closer to 4 inches. Do they make new gauges in these sizes or do I have to rebuild the whole dash. If so, how do I do that? What do I build it out of to make it look stock or close to it.. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance guys! Mike

 

[reddogg]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

I had the same problem fitting new gages into an older boat. What I did was to use an air grinder with a circular sanding wheel on it (sometimes called a chicken plucker) and went round and round sanding and enlarging the hole. Doing it this way took a bit of time, but when I was done I had a very evan, good fit for my new gages.

Red

 

[2ifbyc]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

Thats fine for the small ones but the speedo and tach are almost 4 inches. Way too big for any new gauges and my dash is aluminum

 

[oops!]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

usually the bezzels will cover any extra space....

if they fall thru....you can put a sheet of plexi, stainelss or alum on top and cut to proper size.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

Ok, time to get some welding done. Find a local welder who is good with aluminum and has a TIG set-up. He can weld in a patch and grind/sand it smooth. Than use an appropriatly sized hole saw to cut holes for your new gages.

Red

 

[lbruce]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

I have a 1988 and I believe the gauges mount from the rear of the dash.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

You may be able to find some plastic trim type grommets that will fill the holes in to the proper size. Try an automotive supply store (yeah, I know. automotive isn't marine, but plastic is plastic.)

 

[bnicov]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

How about contacting the manufacturer of the old guages to see if you can either replace them with new ones or have yours rebuilt??

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

greatlakesskipper.com is a good place to check for non-standard sized gauges.

 

[zopperman]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

IF you have to rebuild your dash -- I'm rebuilding my dash... using a piece of 1/4" plywood and glassing it with 1708 biax.. (at least I think this is the route I'm going) Use hole saws (for the drill) to cut new gauge holes and there it is!

 

[dsiekman]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

If you are going to the trouble of rebuilding the dash, DO NOT put 1/4" ply back in. It is not dimensionally stable, especially in a hot/wet environment. Find yourself a sheet metal supplier and get some aluminum. I did mine over the winter and wasn't into the aluminum for more than $30...and that gave me some extra incase of a screw up...er...I mean design change.

A few years back I redid my '94 Cobalt 252 with aluminum and overlayed with mahogany veneer. This winter I redid my sig. boat. I used aluminum as a backer and perforated stainless as a "finish". Those pics are posted under the repair/boat building forum.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: Gauges Helppppppp!

Hey guys, I have a 1990 Cobalt Condure. Im trying to replace the gauges. The problem I have is the existing gauges are an odd size. All the 2 inch holes are a little smaller then the regular 2 inch aftermarket gauges and the 3 inch are closer to 4 inches. Do they make new gauges in these sizes or do I have to rebuild the whole dash. If so, how do I do that? What do I build it out of to make it look stock or close to it.. Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance guys! Mike

Do a google search on some stuff called "starboard". It is a plastic product that can be bent into whatever shape your panel needs to conform to its mounting and is very easily machined with common drills, routers, etc. I never heard of the stuff until I had my panel and gauges replaced last winter when I had the boat rewired. It looks very professional, at least in my opinion.

View attachment 103657 My panel is not just arched from top to bottom, it is concave as well, with the edges closer than the center by a good 6 inches or so. There are switches along the bottom and resettable circuit breakers in those light blue covers along the top.