1952-59 Ford 1953 Mercury instrument cluster

I am looking for a "rebuildable", restorable" instrument cluster for a 1953 Mercury Monterey. Anybody got one for sale?

 

Boom.

http://www.2040-parts.com/1953-mercury-speedometer-temp-fuel-gas-oil-amp-dash-gauge-cluster-i470950/

 

When I go to that site, and attempt to "place an order" I get the following: This offer is not up to date, it is impossible to place order. So..... I guess it will be impossible to place an order a that site. And that's a shame because that business is about 40 miles from me.

 

This looks pretty clean. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1953-53-19...020468?hash=item1f10462c34:g:MiEAAOSw339eetHe

 

While this one does look clean, there are some discrepancies. First, this one has a chrome surround, it has "ribbing", and it has 5 mph designations. None of these match my cluster so I feel like this is not a cluster from a 1953 Mercury. Maybe it is from a 1952, as opposed to a 1953. Maybe it is from a Custom as opposed to a Monterey. Maybe, and I feel like this might be the case, it is from a Ford of the same vintage. I will contact the seller and see what is going on.

 

Hmmm. I advised the seller of the cluster on e-bay of the discrepancies and asked if he had the vehicle the cluster cam from, and his answer was simply NO. So, with no further info or attempt to say where the cluster came from I will continue my search.

 

I think you will find that cluster is for a Merc Truck. The cluster from a 1952 or 1953 Merc car are the same with the exception of the gl*** insert. The 52 had a silver coloured half circle and the 53 had a gold half circle for the anniversary addition.

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-19...006976?hash=item341b298bc0:g:c5sAAOSwXk1d885I
Here is a 52 Merc cluster notice the silver half moon.

 

If you keep your eyes, ears, and mind open, you can and should learn something every day. I have now learned the difference between a '52 and a '53 instrument cluster. At my next cruise in, if the subject comes up, I will know the difference, and probably act like I knew it because I'm such an expert! Now I have to determine if I want to pay $120 for an instrument cluster - just in case I need it.

 

That's the only one available on eBay at the moment but I have seen several over the last couple of years show up for half the price this place is asking..

 

Yeah, that's kinda what I was hoping for - $50 to $60 dollars for a "decent" one. I'll keep looking.

 

This guy has a lot of 50's & 60's ford products they sell parts from https://www.facebook.com/watch/Rudys-Cl***ic-Auto-Chop-Shop-1527267377494142/

 

Merccruzin Does your 53 Merc not have a gauge cluster in the car now or are you having issues with it?

 

Mine is working fine. I want to modify it by putting another temp gauge in place of the "BATT" gauge so I can monitor each head. I want to modify the lettering to say "L TMP" and 'R TMP" or something like that. I want a "spare" just in case I mess up my original. Or I might even modify the spare instead. I just think that would be functional, and cool, and a conversation starter.

 

Merccruzin This is all you need to try and convert your dash cluster. If it works for you then you can swap it into your existing gauge cluster. If it doesn't then you still have your original gauge cluster un touched.
https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1952-Mercur...ash=item2170b9b9fa:g:WCoAAOSwW5Je3Ct~&vxp=mtr

 

And this is the extra part you need for the gauge swap https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1952-1953-M...ash=item5d80e69937:g:K9wAAOSwinlbkEAz&vxp=mtr

 

Cool! I made a bid on the cluster. If I get that, I will go for the gauge.

 

So far, I am the only bidder on the cluster, but I know how that goes. (The bidding ends on Saturday.) I went ahead and bought the temp gauge.

 

Good luck I hope you get the cluster insert

 

Avoid that site, looks to be a click bait dead end.

 

I purchased the temp gauge and it has already arrived. I won the auction on the instrument cluster and it has been shipped. Now to determine just how much work I want to put into this. I believe in these days of "wraps" I may see if I can get a wrap for the cluster and change the font, etc. I kinda like the font on a 1940 Ford instrument cluster but that may be "too old". Thoughts? And maybe "Crazy 'Bout A Mercury" on the "half moon"? Am I getting too crazy or gimmicky here?

 

I think I'd use a font more in keeping with the era, but that's just me.

 

If it were mine I'd just clean it up and keep the gauges as is. Each year has it's own uniqueness in design and style. I'm not a big fan of catchy phrases on cars but it's your ride. Do what makes you happy.

 

You can do this with only one gauge. Get a two way switch - wire one sender to one side of the switch, the other to the other side of the switch. Gauge also to the switch. Flip the switch one way and get one side, flip it the other way and get the other side. Did this with a flathead hot rod. Worked great. The gauge was an aftermarket gauge, you may be able to do it with a stock gauge