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56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate
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gradford
Posted 2021-02-02 6:10 PM (#608485)
Subject: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate


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I'm trying to find interested 56 Plymouth owners who want to convert their cars to Torqueflite from the existing Powerflite. I had an engineer create a plan for CNC production of an aluminum dash plate, very similar to the original Poweflite plate, but with five button openings to accommodate the Torqueflite.

Doing these one at a time will cost near $1000 each; so I need five orders, and I can then reach a reasonable price of $275 each
If you want one please let me know.
Once I have five orders I will order a batch.
See the attached engineer's drawing.

Please email me at glennradford@icloud.com if interested.



(TransmissionButtonsPlate1.4.jpg)



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Attachments TransmissionButtonsPlate1.4.jpg (143KB - 140 downloads)
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-02 6:33 PM (#608486 - in reply to #608485)
Subject: RE: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate



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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
What happened to the 3D printed polymer Torqueflite plates that I saw photos of? You can get those electro vacuum plated in chrome (I'm not sure about the cost).

Personally, if I was staring at $1000 for a little plate (or even $275) I would consider modifying an OE 56 Plymouth Powerflite plate. I think that there is enough material there to create new "1" and "2" holes and use the material removed to create spacer between "1" and "2". I did this before using Paint (see below). Might need a bit of aluminum welding on the back (to hold the spacer piece) or JB weld for the electro-welding challenged.

N, R and D are the small, both in size and location. It's just L needs to leave to make room for 1 and 2.

Admittedly, my "Photoshop" (Paint) mock-up doesn't say Torqueflite



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-02-02 11:03 PM




(OE56PlymouthPowerFliteShifterButtonPlate_Front.jpg)



(OE56PlymouthPowerFliteShifterButtonPlate_Rear.jpg)



(56PlymouthTorqueFliteShifterPlateMock-up_small.jpg)



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Attachments OE56PlymouthPowerFliteShifterButtonPlate_Front.jpg (74KB - 136 downloads)
Attachments OE56PlymouthPowerFliteShifterButtonPlate_Rear.jpg (84KB - 140 downloads)
Attachments 56PlymouthTorqueFliteShifterPlateMock-up_small.jpg (73KB - 138 downloads)
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Powerflite
Posted 2021-02-02 9:56 PM (#608489 - in reply to #608485)
Subject: Re: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate



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Location: So. Cal		If you do this, please extend the Torqueflite plate over the mounting hole, add a radius to it, try to match the original font, and square off the plate like the original. Otherwise, it won't be as neat.

But Dave is right, that it's too costly to make this worthwhile. It isn't hard to extend the holes over and you can use part of the section you cut out to create the little tab to epoxy into it. Use a flat aluminum piece to epoxy behind it to give it rigidity. The "New Powerflite" part of the plate is actually removeable. If you are going to pay a machinist to make something for you, take the time to make just that new plate that says Torqueflite on it, but do it as similar to the original one as possible. I may be able to draw one up for you if you need me to, but you will need to tell me what the smallest size end mill the machinist has available first. If you make that for sale, it shouldn't cost more than $20 each in volume. I would be willing to purchase something like that.
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gradford
Posted 2021-02-03 12:13 AM (#608491 - in reply to #608485)
Subject: Re: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate


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Dave, I did the 3D printed version but didn't know it could be vacuum plated... I doubt that would be a solution, however, because the reason I'm considering the CNC route is due to the 3D printer not having adequate resolution to duplicate the original look on close inspection.
I do agree that it is costly; if there's no interest I may try getting quotes from other CNC shops, or look for a company offering higher resolution 3D printing, maybe metallic...?
Nathan, thanks for the suggestions. I'll have the draftsman do those changes and see what it looks like. The font will be a challenge - tried finding one for a while and settled on the one you see here.
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56D500boy
Posted 2021-02-03 3:10 AM (#608493 - in reply to #608491)
Subject: Re: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate



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Location: Lower Mainland BC		.
Glenn: I can't find the card of the people that I think were in Maple Ridge or Mission that did the vacuum plating of plastic gauge panels. (I will try to find it or somebody who knows what I thinking tomorrow (Weds)).

The would be something like this one in Michigan:

https://www.vacuumorna-metal.com/content/restoration





Edited by 56D500boy 2021-02-03 3:11 AM
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gradford
Posted 2021-06-22 1:16 AM (#612974 - in reply to #608485)
Subject: Re: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate


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I now have some prototypes of the polymer 3 speed dash plate for the 56 Plymouth. They look OK painted silver, but probably would look better with the chrome treatment Dave mentioned, above. If anyone wants to try one, send your address and I'll put one in the mail. Just IM me on this site.



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Attachments IMG_9286.jpeg (99KB - 97 downloads)
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GaryS
Posted 2021-06-22 9:24 AM (#612977 - in reply to #608485)
Subject: Re: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate



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Location: Ponder, TX		I'm not offering this up as a substitute for an engineered and expertly created part, but when I was playing around with a way to adapt a pushbutton shifter to a mechanical linkage TorqueFlite, I made a faceplate from aluminum with a similar pattern. The plate was simple to make, and the engraved brass TorqueFlite nameplate was by far the most expensive part of the job.



(TF shifter panel.JPG)



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Attachments TF shifter panel.JPG (100KB - 87 downloads)
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gradford
Posted 2021-07-12 4:31 AM (#613432 - in reply to #608485)
Subject: Re: 56 Plymouth Torqueflite dash plate


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Very cool looking plate, Gary.
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