1978 Dash removal

[1978L48jafo]

Hi all,
My winter project was the rebuild of my L48 engine and it is ready to go back once I have new paint on the firewalls. I also decided to rebuild the heat/AC box, the AC was not worth using.

Question 1 My dash pad is not cracked but I would love to remove so I can dye to match my new interior and clean away 25 or so years of dust. How hard is the dash to get out? The only items still in the dash is the steering column and speedo and tach. The manual shows 4 or 5 bolts accross the top. My fear is that I will need to bend it to remove and end up cracking the pad for my trouble.

Question 2: I also need to remove the trans to replace a leaky front seal. Can the engine and trans be installed as a unit or is there is insufficient clearance?

Thanks in advance.
John McQuaid

 

[matchframe]

I have my '78 all apart right now, and had planned to removed the dash for the exact same reason. The whole interior is out including the steering column. BTW, the steering column was pretty easy to remove. If you want, I can let you know how I did it. I have never removed a Vette dash before so it will be a learning experince for me. Hopefully I will be able to remove it in the next few days and will let you know what I have learned. How were you planning to dye the dash? Mine is red, and I want to dye it black.

About installing the engine and trans as one piece; I did that on my '71 Vette back in the late '70s and the one thing that helped was I had the car up on jackstands so that there would be more clearance under the car for the trans to swing under to the cross member. There might be a better (and safer) way to elevate your car but that worked for me.

Bill

 

[1978L48jafo]

Hi Bill,
Actually I just removed the steering column, that was not a big deal. I replace my interior last winter except for the dash. The corners of my dash cracked as I removed it. It looked like some of the windshield adhesive kept it from coming off with the dash. I might be able to epoxy them back on but I am afraid they will crack when I go to reinstall. I just checked and a new dash is 500 and there is a dash cover for 100. Has anyone else had this experience. I apologize if I sound cheep I put a lot into the motor this winter and was hoping not to have this expense right now.


Thanks on the trans. I thought if I jacked up the car a few feet I should be able to angle the transmission right into place. Still need to get the trans out and replace the front seal and paint the firewalls...
John:duh

 

[rayray]

78 Dash Rmoval

I did the interior on my 78 some years ago,
First remove the dash loudspeaker grills, these are "clip in " type, then remove the speakers,
Where the speaker grills end, at the far left and righ ends of the pad, you will notice a groove.
the ends of the dash pad past the grooves are like "wings" and will bend up , and the pad can be removed.
Mine was in such bad shape , that I recovered it with some leather like black vinyl , using contact cements, wrapped it under, and still looks like new

 

[1978L48jafo]

The corners actually broke off on mine I am considering glueing back on and fixing the area with one of those vinal repair kits. It needed repainted anyway. I was concerned the corners would break off when I went to reinstall.
Thanks Rayray!