Have a DSE wiper? Wish they made matching knobs for the rest of the dash? Look here!

[Chris 68]

After looking high and low for a set of knobs to match my DSE wiper knob, I decided to modify theirs to work on the rest of the dash, I'd say they are 99% done. I'm still debating on the ignition, I may put in a push button start.

Well here are the pics, figured I'd share since I haven't seen them before. If you're interested in making your own I'll be more than happy to share the steps I took to make them.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Share man, share!

[KHShapiro]

Def share!

[MuscleRodz]

DSE offers matching headlight knobs for camaro, chevelle, and nova. Not on their website, but listed in their catalog.

[Classic Nova & Performance]

DSE offers matching headlight knobs for camaro, chevelle, and nova. Not on their website, but listed in their catalog.

Yep, and they will work for the 62-65 Novas heater controls too.

[Chris 68]

I'm specifically talking about making a bezel for the headlight knob and a bezel and knob for the cig lighter. But I'll post up what I did tomorrow after I stop by the garage and check what taps and bits I used. I ended up going with the push button start but I'll include whats needed for the ignition bezel.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Chris 68]

Sorry for the delay, but here is what I did: PART I

Called up DSE and ordered 2 headlight knobs and 3 of their bezels (the same bezel that comes with their wiper kit).

First the headlight:

I assume most of you guys know how to take the headlight switch off the car, but for the novices out there like myself you'll want to reach behind the dash and feel for a small metal button on one of the sides of the switch assembly. Pull the knob towards you as far as you can, pushed the aforementioned button and the knob and rod should pull all the way out. (I found it best, after the knob is fully extended, to not pull on the knob until you have the button full pressed in.) Then just unscrew the retaining-nut (pictured below), I just used a large flat head screw driver, but you can buy a special tool if need be. One the nut is off, the headlight switch should be free and will fall from under the dash if you aren't holding it.

I took the original retaining-nut and carefully cut off the threaded portion:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
You'll notice inside the front of the retaining-nut is a plastic like lining that will fall out, keep this!

Unfortunately the threads aren't standard (I believe it might be 1/8-28) but I found that a 1/8-27 tap will work for the bezel.

I then tapped the bezel using the 1/8-27 tap, starting from the BACK of the bezel. You may have to drill out the existing hole a bit, I don't recall doing so but I could be wrong. The key here is to take your time, since the tap is chamfered it will help to lock the threaded portion of the retaining-nut into the bezel. I only took the tap deep enough to bring the front of the nut flush with the front the bezel. You should end up with something like this:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

And if everything goes well you should have plenty of meat left on the retaining-nut threads to screw the bezel into the switch assembly:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The knob it self is pretty straight forward, I don't recall DSE sending instructions but all you do is take a couple of vice grips (one on the rod and one on the original knob and twist the knob back and forth and it should come off pretty easily. The knob then gets secured to the rod with the set screw much like the knob that came with the DSE wiper motor.

I then put the plastic lining from the original retaining nut on the back of the knob to act as a washer against the bezel, like so:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Putting the knob in the dash is pretty straight forward, I was worried it wouldn't be as secure as the original set up, but I found just hand tightening the bezel/retaining nut seemed to hold the assembly together just as solid as before. What you end up with:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[Chris 68]

PART II: the cigarette lighter.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif


Again, for the fellow novices: the cigarette lighter is held in by a threaded sleeve behind the dash. Simply unscrew the sleeve and the whole assembly will come out.

First I took the stock knob and bulled the knob itself off of the element. I used a pair of vice grips on the knob and carefully held the element while pulling the two apart, its best to pull them STRAIGHT apart. Once you have the knob off (mine ended up crushed in the end, see picture below) you'll notice a brown or yellow splinned end that went into the knob you just pulled off. What I did was carefully, and evenly ground the splinned end down :
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The other headlight knob I ordered from DSE was then placed on top of this and I used the set screw to hold it into place. You want to take off as little material from the splinned end as possible so the knob will just barely press onto the element.

Now for the fun part. I took one of the bezels I ordered from DSE and had to bore it out, basically making a lip that will retain the inner housing of the cigarette lighter. I did this on a drill press, using a special jig to hold the bezel in place. I first used a 7/8" forstner bit and carefully bored out the bezel, taking extra care to keep it on center, I'm not going to lie it was a pain in the butt. I then when back with a 1" forstner bit, stopping about 1/8" from the bottom.:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

The inner part of the lighter housing should slip into the bezel and catch the lip:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

Once that's done, it should be good to go:
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/noimg.gif

[sjaroslo]

DSE offers matching headlight knobs for camaro, chevelle, and nova. Not on their website, but listed in their catalog.

The Camaro knob is indeed available on their web site

http://www.detroitspeed.com/1967-1969%20Camaro-Firebird-Products/121501-hdlght-knb.html