Adding a speedo with trip odo, need to add the hole for the trip odo shaft

[Gander]

So I found a brand new cable driven Speedo for 88-89 squarebody, still in the Delco box. It’s got a trip odo and I want to add it to the tach cluster I put together for my truck. My problem is this. My clear lens that covers the gauges doesn’t have the hole for the trip odo reset shaft. I checked the catalogs and didn’t see where I could order a reproduction that has the hole. I’ve looked all over Houston and can’t find the lens itself, does anyone on here have one or if not, is it possible to drill the hole myself? I’m worried about cracking the lens I’ve got or drilling the hole in the wrong spot and therefore ruining it. Anyway, let me know and if you’ve got one how much or I e also got a lot of cluster parts I could trade as well. Thanks!

 

[Matt69olds]

My Olds has the Tic Tok Tach option. Factory tachometer with a clock in the center. When I first bought the car the lens was badly scratched, I’m guessing from the previous owner dragging a ring across the plastic when setting the clock. I had a flawless lens from a blank dummy gauge. I set the original lens over the good one, marked the hole and used a good sharp bit to drill it. Don’t use a lot of pressure, run the drill at a high speed. I’m guessing if the bit catches as it breaks thru is what would cause it the crack.

 

[ali_c20]

I drill plastic with wood drills. Very low pressure and medium speed.
You can use a hot wire to melt the hole. Not red glowing hot but hot enough to melt the plastic.

 

[Gander]

Good ideas. Drilling the hole is half the battle. The other half is marking where to drill in the first place. I don’t have an old lens to compare with. I’ve got to get things lined up and see if I can figure out exactly where to drill this hole so when I go to install it isn’t off. I can’t believe none of the repro parts companies reproduce this part. Anyway, thanks for the ideas and I’ll let yall know when I get it done.

 

[Old Guy Bill]

Masking tape to mark the position, use a small bit first...

 

[wildbowtie]

LMC truck has brand new cluster lenses. With or without trip odo hole.

 

[Gander]

LMC truck has brand new cluster lenses. With or without trip odo hole.

You got a part number? I looked on their site and in their catalog and didn’t see one listed with the trip odo hole. If they have one I’ll just order it and be done with it rather than try and drill 40 year old plastic

 

[Gander]

Update: I found one on FB, off of a 91 Suburban. $50 plus the drive. Well worth it.

With that, the job is finally done. Full Factory Gauges on my ‘87 pickup. Combination of parts from a 1985 tach cluster, my 1987 cluster, NOS 88-89 Suburban/Blazer speedo and 87-up small fuel gauge, (it’s got the circles for full/half/empty like the 87 and up big gauge instead of E & F like the earlier gauges), replacement tach circuit board from Cajun Tach Shop, LMC printed circuit and tach wiring harness, and lens off a 1991 Suburban. Oh, and the best of the bulb holders and clips from both clusters and all new bulbs.

 

[Gander]

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