INTERIOR - Dash removal

[smorrismi]

Hi me again! Was trying to remove dash panel and instrument cluster for restoration purposes and for some reason I'm having problems getting those "close" buttons for venting off, what's the end look like so I know how to "pull" them off? Other problem is that I think there are rivets holding it in on the back bracket? Anybody have any suggestions about removal that might be helpful (generally).

 

[Fred's Vettes]

Hi, those "close" vent buttons are held on with a small allen set screw. Loosen the screw and pull up and off they come. The screw is located on the bottom front side under the flat side. The metal levers are rivited to a steel frame and not meant to be taken off. You can release the cables without removing the levers. The entire metal assembly removes from the center console after removing the heater control. Hope this helps, Fred

 

[fine69]

Also, be very careful when manipulating the center gauge bezel. They're made to break in the even of an accident --- and they do break easily.

While the console is disassembled, you might want to reface the heater/temperature control. When I restored my interior, I did mine using a reface kit. Pretty easy to do, and it makes a big difference in appearance... about $80.

 

[smorrismi]

Nice ride fine69! Funny you mentioned that kit... I was looking for something like that today, but couldn't find one. Where would one look to get one? Know where I can get paint to match the gauges? The light green stuff? Mentioning the gauge bezel being broken... when I pulled out, the top left was already fractured. I was just going to spot weld it together and do some cosmetic work to make it look right. The real issue was my center console is in pretty rough shape, but I think I can epoxy it for reinforcement. Planning to send out the clock for quartz conversion. Everything else is restorable I think.

How's about the driver's side dash pad... anything I should watch out for?

Oh yeah... what was that bubble insulation you had in your corvette? Is that something your putting down prior to the carpet?

 

[fine69]

Nice ride fine69! Funny you mentioned that kit... I was looking for something like that today, but couldn't find one. Where would one look to get one? Know where I can get paint to match the gauges? The light green stuff? Mentioning the gauge bezel being broken... when I pulled out, the top left was already fractured. I was just going to spot weld it together and do some cosmetic work to make it look right. The real issue was my center console is in pretty rough shape, but I think I can epoxy it for reinforcement. Planning to send out the clock for quartz conversion. Everything else is restorable I think.

How's about the driver's side dash pad... anything I should watch out for?

Oh yeah... what was that bubble insulation you had in your corvette? Is that something your putting down prior to the carpet?

Check out Corvette Central (corvettecentral.com) for the reface kit... item 453003 for 69-71 Vettes without A/C, and 453013 for those with A/C.

I got pretty much all of my interior replacement parts from Wilcox (see my post:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/forums/showthread.php?t=96856&highlight=wilcox+rocks), you can visit their eBay store at: http://stores.ebay.com/Willcox-Whol...CARPET_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ7QQftidZ2QQtZkm

I had my gauges (clock, speedo, and tach) rebuilt at Harrison Gauges. Contact Bill Harrison at gldnkngt@adelphia.net - he does excellent work.

Yes, I am using the foil-faced insulation as a heat barrier underlayment (purchased from Lowes) with 3M adhesive and aluminum tape. It costs alot less than the specialty stuff and it works great.

The best advice I can give you for the dash pieces is don't buy cheap. Get the good stuff from Wilcox or Corvette America. I tried to get by with the cheap aftermarket garbage and finally gave up -- they just don't fit right.

Ralph