Console Fit Problem

[michiganhotrod1]

Hi all;
I replaced the pitted shifter bezel in my 70 Challenger this weekend, and noticed the console itself has a outward bow in the shifter area. Not clear in the photos, but I can see the tunnel and the wire for the shifter lamp through the gap.
Is this normal? If not, is there any fix other than replacing the console?
Thanks for any help.
Mark

 

[ItsJustMe]

That’s not a bow. It looks cracked or me.

 

[Chryco Psycho]

You could epoxy a small diameter steel rod under it to support it & epoxy it from below

 

[scar426]

mine has the same bow in the same approximate location, but no crack.

 

[Bret Schneider]

Not sure about the 70 Challenger but the later ones have a notched area in the console the bezel fits into.
That first picture you posted might be showing that at the top of the picture.
It looks to me like the bezel is forward of the recess it should slip into.

 

[ScotiaCuda]

Hi all;
I replaced the pitted shifter bezel in my 70 Challenger this weekend, and noticed the console itself has a outward bow in the shifter area. Not clear in the photos, but I can see the tunnel and the wire for the shifter lamp through the gap.
Is this normal? If not, is there any fix other than replacing the console?
Thanks for any help.
Mark

View attachment 144772

Hi, mine is similarly bowed. And I’ve often noted the same on E-bodies at car shows. I think it simply reflects warpage from chronic sun/heat exposure, plus lack of a fastener in that region of the assembly. My gap/bow was improved by repairing some broken or weak points on the inside of the assembly so that the screws held properly, but I like Chryco’s suggestion of a steel rod as a definitive fix. I’ll do that next time I need to take mine out.
Regards, Jack
P.S. Similar warpage problem with my lid. (Talking convertible here, so even greater sun exposure.) Took it apart and improved the alignment via gentle application of a heat gun, plus shifting the hinge slightly, but still was unable to totally fix it. It is what it is…