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Hi Everybody, I am searching for some Perfect Circle Cruise control parts for my '61 Starfire, I have a unit out of a '63 and I think I can make it work, but the plastic Control housing inside the thing has been busted and glued back together, I have one also for a Pontiac and it has the same workings inside, Just to be clear, I'm talking about the Controller that screws to the dash, not the governer that attaches to the engine, I expect there are several other cars from which I can take the pars I need, maybe much more common Cadillac too
Location: north of Toronto and quite a bit West!!!
Posts: 514
Originally Posted by Ross999999
Hi Everybody, I am searching for some Perfect Circle Cruise control parts for my '61 Starfire, I have a unit out of a '63 and I think I can make it work, but the plastic Control housing inside the thing has been busted and glued back together, I have one also for a Pontiac and it has the same workings inside, Just to be clear, I'm talking about the Controller that screws to the dash, not the governer that attaches to the engine, I expect there are several other cars from which I can take the pars I need, maybe much more common Cadillac too
There's a friend of mine who is make Cruise Control plastic parts and some other types of pieces. He is also the Manufacturer of all the '61, '62, '63, Olds Starfire Aluminum Panels. He calls himself as Oldskeeper here on Classic Oldsmobile. Look him up and ask him what you need, you might find it's easier than you thought.... hopefully!!!
There's a friend of mine who is make Cruise Control plastic parts and some other types of pieces. He is also the Manufacturer of all the '61, '62, '63, Olds Starfire Aluminum Panels. He calls himself as Oldskeeper here on Classic Oldsmobile. Look him up and ask him what you need, you might find it's easier than you thought.... hopefully!!!
Thanks Chequenman, Steve (Oldskeeper) makes the Slide that goes inside the housing, I'm going to buy one from him as soon as I can find another housing, My housing has been broken and glued back together, I found the same housing in my '63 Pontiac Controller so I suppose I may be able to take the broken part from a number if different brands of controllers, Perhaps even the much more common Cadillac controller.
This one is a '67, I would take another one because it does share some of the same parts, but I think Olds went to an electronic Cruise by this time???
Olds used the mechanical system in full size cars and Toronados until 1968. They went vacuum for 1969. I think the black plastic casing that holds the rack/pinion is the same in the Toro as it was in the '62 setup. Other years I think are different.
I had a '62 Caddy setup I tried to use for parts. Not much interchanged other than the thumbwheel.
Last edited by Oldsfan; May 7th, 2018 at 08:45 AM.
Olds used the mechanical system in full size cars and Toronados until 1968. They went vacuum for 1969. I think the black plastic casing that holds the rack/pinion is the same in the Toro as it was in the '62 setup. Other years I think are different.
I had a '62 Caddy setup I tried to use for parts. Not much interchanged other than the thumbwheel.
I think by '66 The steel backed housing came out, '65 I think, do you still have anything from this '62 Cadillac one? I believe this has the parts I need for my Olds controller
A brief history on the Cruise Control control head:
'61/'62 was part number 380501
'63 was part number 381345
'64/'65 all, '66 except F-85, and '67/'68 Toronado was part number 385183.
'67/68 full size control head was called a bracket and included the control head and a metal bracket. The control head part may have been the same as the others. I don't know.
Those numbers are for the control head, less the cable. There were also a control head with cable available in some cases. The control head is #6 in the attached illustration of the '66/'67 Toronado Cruise Control dash parts.
The control head (#6) looks very close to what my '62 has.
I have not been able to cross any of these numbers to other divisions. Yet.
I sold my Caddy setup on that internet auction site YEARS ago. I do not recall the control head being the same as my Olds unit.
yes, as I understand it the Difference between '62 and '63 is '63 had a light and different dial to take advantage, I plan to retrofit mine to a '61, the part I need appears to also be included in the '64 Set and as well my '63 Pontiac, probably Cadillac too, but I have been unable to confirm
Here are pics of my broken control head and the old rack and pinion. The piece missing from the pinion gear is correct. That allowed the gear to slip on the pinion and provided a means of adjustment. Worked great when everything was nice and new. A still old cable gives too much resistance and the thumbwheel just ratchets. Steve's new pieces eliminate the ability to adjust, but should overcome any cable stiffness.
These are pics of my thumbwheel and housing. The thumbwheel is actually from the Cadillac pieces that I had. I remember the original wheel being a little bit grayer. The front end of the housing would need to be trimmed off for use on a '61 because the cove at the side of the dash isn't as deep as in '62.
Hey Oldsfan, I Just read this again, My Pinion is whole, from a '63 Olds, I'm thinking you might be mistaken on that one point, I have no missing teeth.. For the rest, Interesting diagrams and photos, I have saved them all with interest..
Find a local business with a 3D printer that can make you a new piece. Should last another 60 years that way.
I thought about that, even watched some videos, I don't think the printer could make the internal dimensions precise enough or smooth enough, I thgink it could make the part, but then I would need to machine the interior so the rack would slide right and re-cut the holes, I may resort to that, but I doubt if I will have to, I suspect I will have an original one long before I get that car on the road if I keep trying
Hi everyone, I have a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk which has the Dana Perfect Circle Cruise Control fitted. I'm replying to this old thread as I'm wondering if anyone can point me towards Oldskeeper (mentioned below) or anyone who might be able to help with a replacement diaphragm for the unit? Mine has been fixed as it was split, but it isn't pretty!
I know it's an old thread.
I'm making the thumb control rack and gear along with the black plastic housing.
I'm 3D printing the black body and adding a longer support so it won't break as easily.
Steve
Jaswest.
May 4th, 2018, 10:20 AM
