ncvettedude

Folks,
Can someone point me to the best reference (I have most of the books) for removing a 1959 gauge cluster? I have to get the tach out as the Lens has fallen in.
Thanks,
Clint

plaidside

I just replaced my tach in my 61 and I am in the process of doing a paper on the removal and installation.
Hope to have it done soon.
Joe

0Willcox Corvette

Just going from memory...

Pull off the horn button, remove the steering wheel, remove the upper turn signal housing cup (screw wedge on the bottom). Once this is out remove the lower column cover and then remove the wires from the small gauges.



When you remove the wires from the back of the small gauges make positive sure that the post do not turn. The post have a tiny wire soldered to it and they will break if the stud turns.



I would then disconnect the tach cable from the engine side and the transmission. Why? Because once you have the bolts loose from the cluster you can pick it up and reach behind to unscrew them from the dash. Much easier than doing this on your back.

After you have the bolts around the bottom of the housing lose it should pull right out.

Once you have it out you'll notice on the back of the tach canister there are two nuts.. remove these nuts and your tach is ready to come out of the housing.

Do not bend the upper from the lower housing for that will cause the four tangs that hold the two half's together to break or bend..... Hard fix too!



Plaidside.. see if I missed something and if you need pictures or AIM drawings let me know I have them I can post.

Willcox

Frankie the Fink

First DISCONNECT THE BATTERY!

Just before actually pulling the cluster out put a thick towel over the top of
the steering column to prevent scratching it up by accident...

62Jeff

The ST-12 has the procedure in there.

0Willcox Corvette

Frankie... good point...

Steve59

If you are going to pull wires make sure you label them. I also kind of made a "reverse" chart of where everything goes, as if you are looking up from the floor, which you will be, commonly know as "the pretzel position".

Frankie the Fink

I bought some Radio Shack wire labels....they are small and stick well....they are numbered like "1", "2", "3", etc.. I put a "1" on say the ammeter to starter wire and then put another small "1" on the back of the ammeter near that terminal. Then I made an index card "legend" just as an additional data point: e.g. "1" Ammeter terminal (Driver's Side), "2" Ammeter terminal (Passenger's Side). Use the "Passenger Side" and "Driver's Side" (or "DS" / "PS") terminology as "right" and "left" will screw you up good when you are upside down under the dash !

Did this the first time I pulled the cluster and boy, the second time it SURE made life easier.

As I ALWAYS recommend -- put a 30 AMP ATC blade type fuse on the ammeter to starter wire to protect your wiring and prevent fires...it has saved me more than once when something got mis-wired !

Do not drink beer when upside down under the dash....it will choke you, come out your nose and make you bang your head...don't ask how I know...

ncvettedude

Folks Thanks for the info. And worry not I will avoid the BudLight while in the Pretzel position.

Whats the easiest way to get to the 5 bolts? They look like they are going to be a real b#@%& to get back on.
Thanks,
Clint

ncvettedude

What is the ST-12?

Frankie the Fink

The attachment with the red circles shows the holes for the 5 bolts -- only one is a real PITA and, fortunately for me, some previous owner never installed the really hard to reach one. I also didn't reinstall it when I did the cluster R&R...its behind something under there and I don't really remember what but its the dickens to even see it let alone remove it!

The ST-12 is the C1 technical reference manual that EVERY C1 owner should have...search for it on eBay or Amazon or get it from any Corvette restoration vendor..

ncvettedude

Actually ignore that, I never noticed the ST-12 on the bottom of the Servicing Guide.

62Jeff

The 53-62 corvette service manual.

New ones are available from the typical corvette parts vendors.

Here's a link to a used one so you can see what it looks like
http://www.amazon.com/Corvette-Servi...1522608&sr=8-5

Steve59

For me the bitch-bolt was the one over the cigarette lighter. I think I actually cross threaded it when I re-installed the cluster. There are parts on this car that make me wonder how they were installed when a car was moving down the production line in 1959.Dash pad and insert also come to mind.

stratplus

Removal of the driver's seat bottom, steering wheel and a cushion over the seat rails will make it easier to get underneath and more comfortable.

Pilot Dan

I recently completed a complete rewire of my 59 and pulled the cluster to repair my Tach as well.

A couple of things to add fom my experience: I took the seat rails out an put a nice foam pad down when I did mine, just a few extra bolts to remove and much more comfortable on your back. Get yourself a good florescent bulb for your light. You need a good light source that does not generate any heat when working in that tight space near your face. I did not remove the steering wheel, but it would have made a bit more room (did not need it with the seat tracks out), only the bottom column cover. You will also need to remove the 3 bolts that hold the cowl vent bracket to the dash to access the dash bolt underneath. Make careful notes of the wiring, especially the Amp meter Black and Red wires as they are reversed in the ST-12 wiring diagram (credit to John Z who wrote an article on this). Lastly, not to increase your workload, but it would be a great time to consider replacing your Dash harness if you need / want to as well. Pilot Dan

Roger Quintero

I am pulling my cluster today. Anything left out of this thread? A matter of fact I noticed the cluster must have been removed prior. The corners on the top of the cluster where they meet the lower unit are just barely cracked a little. I guess that is pot metal. Any suggestions concerning that issue?
What the hell; it is getting cold, whats another project.
Thanks
Rog

62Jeff

Forum member Plaidside (Joe) documented the entire process in detail, and it is captured in the PDF that is attached to this post
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1578261298-post6.html

Frankie the Fink

Yes - I worked with Dave and Joe putting that article together...every car is different but the guide at the bottom post in the above thread is a VERY good general procedure !!

Roger Quintero

By God, that PDF is the bomb. Step by step procedures. Just what I needed. I feel a little more comfortable doing it now.
It is a real mess under my dash and I sure did not look forward to any learning curve issues along with my wiring mess.
Once again
Thanks Gang.