Topic: Radio bezel fit issue with center console pad

[Bluepony]

I am finishing up restoration of the center console in my 68 convertible and ran into a very strange problem and hoping someone can give me some advice on how to resolve it. I had to replace the center pad since my original had a split seam that is (in my opinion) not repairable. I found one at Mustang Masters that had about 30 years of dust and grime on it, but was fully intact. I bought it, cleaned it up, and painted it with light blue flexible paint and it came out great. I reinstalled the original metal insert (after repainting the camera case finish) and reattached the assembly to the console frame. I did have to redrill the screw holes in the console pad metal skeleton that attach the adapter plate near the ash tray since the screws from the console frame didn?t line up. With the pad assembly attached to the console frame, I attempted to reinstall the radio bezel (original but painted) but found that the recesses in the upper section of the pad were too close together by 1/8?-1/4? to mate with the male interfaces on the bottom of the radio bezel. I measured my original pad and found that it?s recesses were indeed 1/8? further apart than the new pad. I will post pictures of the situation with the new and old pads. Has anyone encountered this issue before?  Pads in decent shape are hard to find and I have several hours invested in the new one.

[Bluepony]

Think I may have the answer on the cause. The new pad was stored by itself and the top of vinyl appears to have shrunk. I noticed that the top of the opening for shifter was narrower at the top than the bottom. The question now is what to do about it. I?m thinking I can make a cut in the vinyl from the top middle of the shifter opening to the top of the pad since it will be covered by the pad insert. Thoughts would be appreciated.

[J_Speegle]

Always wanted to try low expansion foam like used in construction, injected into the cavity and them molding it into shape with the vinyl outer covering but never had a couple of these to try the idea out. Same thought  for some dash pad deformities

[Flade]

Unfortunately they warp and shrink.  Typically the radio bezel ?Flares? out on the sides.  I have fought that with mine.  There are a couple companies that can restore them with new vinyl, but otherwise you have to work with what you have.

I would be very leary of cutting the vinyl.  Once you do it could spread and ruin your pad.

[Bluepony]

I tried heating the foam and vinyl on the pad with a heat gun and just tried to spread the top arms of the pad. After about 20 minutes of heating and tugging, I got enough movement to allow the radio bezel to fit. I wrapped some bungee cords around the mated pair and left them overnight to reset the memory and the fit is acceptable. Not perfect, but acceptable. I?m doing the final assembly of the console today.  I had the heat gun set and around 600F and was careful not to be too aggressive with it. I?m claiming success!

[Bossbill]

67 and 68 dashes shrink in width over the years. I feel your pain.