gauge repair/restoration

[69Tom]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with www.AutoInstruments.com (http://www.AutoInstruments.com) . I am thinking of sending my gauges, clock and speedometer from my 442 there to be refurbished. While based on my research they seem to be priced on the high side, they also appear to do the most thorough job with not only mechanical, but also cosmetic issues. There is a pretty nice article on some of their work in the Jan issue of Muscle Car Review. Plus another great thing is they do their own in-house plastic chroming.

Any comments? Other recommendations?

[mockingbird812]

I have a tach in there now. Owner (Gentry Zentmeyer) is hands on and takes the time to discuss the project with you thoroughly. Have not seen the finished product though.

[enio45]

There is a nice article on them in muscle car review this month....

[gb70]

[ QUOTE ]
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with www.AutoInstruments.com (http://www.AutoInstruments.com) . I am thinking of sending my gauges, clock and speedometer from my 442 there to be refurbished. While based on my research they seem to be priced on the high side, they also appear to do the most thorough job with not only mechanical, but also cosmetic issues. There is a pretty nice article on some of their work in the Jan issue of Muscle Car Review. Plus another great thing is they do their own in-house plastic chroming.

Any comments? Other recommendations?

[/ QUOTE ]

I have sent three gauge clusters there before. One for a '70 Dodge B Body, and two for '70 Plymouth E Bodies. The work is very good but I have found out that Redline Gauge Works http://www.redlinegaugeworks.com/ does the same work and knows how to calibrate gauges right. Shannon the owner of Redline says he is getting sent redone gauges in that were done at Auto Instruments for repairs. I had to send them my last gauge cluster after spending $1,100 bucks with Auto Instruments. The temp gauge and voltage regulator were not reading right.

[69Tom]

Yikes. That's not good. Have you found the pricing to be comparable at Redline? Although, I really only have the speedometer and fuel gauge that need to be calibrated. I don't have the Rally Pack, so no tach or automated temp or voltage gauges to deal with. It does have the sensor lights for each, but I don't think that's difficult.

[Jerry@CHP]

Tachman.com is also good. I don't know if he retired yet but we've used him in the past.

Jerry

[kwhizz]

[ QUOTE ]
Tachman.com is also good. I don't know if he retired yet but we've used him in the past.

Jerry

[/ QUOTE ]


Uhhh!!..........Had Issues with (Gary) Tachman.....I'll leave it at that........

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[69Tom]

Appears to still be in business, Jerry. Do they clean everything up (get rid of rust on exterior pieces, etc) while they have it? I've found some places to simply do the mechanical work only.

[427.060]

I have tried to contact The Tachman to get a set redone but have never gotten a response. I tried emailing and calling. He is still in business as he posts on Team Chevelle once in a while. I figure if won't respond to contact attempts he doesn't want my business.
James

[gb70]

Call Redline and speak with Shannon. His prices are comparable.

[69Tom]

[ QUOTE ]


Uhhh!!..........Had Issues with (Gary) Tachman.....I'll leave it at that........

Ken http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/flag.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
I can understand your reluctance of potentially bashing someone online, Ken, but if you've had legitimate issues, I do wish you'd share a bit. I would hate to a) give my business to someone who might not do quality work, and b) not have any problems.

I can't see AutoInstruments.com being a huge issue for me. I mean, I would THINK the guy could calibrate a speedometer. I don't have any other gauges (other than the fuel gauge). Plus, I do like the plastic chroming convience.

I guess if someone else was reliable and provided similar services (minus the plastic chroming) at a much lower rate, I'd consider it.

[69Tom]

[ QUOTE ]
Call Redline and speak with Shannon. His prices are comparable.

[/ QUOTE ]
Comparable to AutoInstruments or the Tachman?

[gb70]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Call Redline and speak with Shannon. His prices are comparable.

[/ QUOTE ]
Comparable to AutoInstruments or the Tachman?

[/ QUOTE ]

It has been a year or more but I believe that they are. Give them a call and compare. Check the web site also he has prices on it for his services. Good luck.

[JIM]

Gentry has done lots of work for Me always fast reasonable service and never a problem. You might want to look at the temp senders as alot of the repros read 20% off the the originals. You can use a mech gauge or shoot a infra red temp gun at it to check. Thats been a problem for years.
Jim

[Jerry@CHP]

We had no issues with Tach Man. Had used him since the late 1980's. Gary does have some personality issues and I think some of that comes from Vietnam? I think he's a veteran but now sure. Call all of these guys and see who you feel the most comfortable with, and compare pricing. That's the best thing to do. Sounds like they all do good work.

Jerry

[ss427copo]

I was at this crossroad about 5 weeks ago. I checked both of those two companies....I went with www.instrument-specialties.com. (http://www.instrument-specialties.com.) Mike did my tach and my clock on my 67 SS427 Impala. He converted the tach to electronic too. EXCELLENT JOB! http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/haha.gif He is also a member here on the site.

Jeff x 2 http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/3gears.gif

[gexhaust]

My tachometer was the tach used in the article in Muscle Car Review. We had some work done refacing a tach for a Hurst SC Rambler and I could not have been more pleased with the service. Gentry is a great guy and does very nice work. My vote is for Auto instruements.

[lzdick]

68Tom,
There is another "Redline" located in Humboldt, TN that I have used for years. He does mechanical (w/calibration) and cosmetics on all GM gauges and all make clocks. Pricing is very reasonable...you will not be disappointed.

His business is RED LINE CLOCK AND GAUGES. His name is John Dvorski, phone is (731) 571-0766.
E-mail: [email protected]

Website: www.redlineg.com (http://www.redlineg.com)

[farone]

I agree with Kwhizz about Tachman.... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

[Steve Shauger]

Redline has always provided me with excellent is service. RED LINE CLOCK AND GAUGES. His name is John Dvorski, phone is (731) 571-0766.
E-mail: [email protected]

[Salvatore]

Auto-instruments had to fix an after market tach I sent to Tachman. Gary charged me $319.00 to do the work and it was way off. http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif I sent it back to him and he said it was the best he could do. Spent another $125.00 at Auto-instruments and the tach was fixed and the RPM's read right. So..... http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dunno.gif