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Hello Everyone,
i'm fairly new to the post a question process. I normally have read and researched for any information in the past.
I am in the middle of restoring a 58 red Corvette. I am ready to install the dash pad and have heard quite a bit of how difficult and tricky it can be. I have been a mechanic for the past 40 years working at Chevy / GMC dealerships and now a fleet company. I am looking for any hints or guidance that anyone would be kind enough to offer.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
Hello Everyone,
i'm fairly new to the post a question process. I normally have read and researched for any information in the past.
I am in the middle of restoring a 58 red Corvette. I am ready to install the dash pad and have heard quite a bit of how difficult and tricky it can be. I have been a mechanic for the past 40 years working at Chevy / GMC dealerships and now a fleet company. I am looking for any hints or guidance that anyone would be kind enough to offer.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
Try the C1 & C2 area of the forum. Good luck with your project.
My advise would be to start a new thread titled 'C1 dash pad installation help' and you'll get response. I think there is even a video on it. Several of the guys here are experts on this and have invaluable tips to offer to help you get through the job. It's not for the faint of heart, but you can do it with your background.
Hello Everyone,
i'm fairly new to the post a question process. I normally have read and researched for any information in the past.
I am in the middle of restoring a 58 red Corvette. I am ready to install the dash pad and have heard quite a bit of how difficult and tricky it can be. I have been a mechanic for the past 40 years working at Chevy / GMC dealerships and now a fleet company. I am looking for any hints or guidance that anyone would be kind enough to offer.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
Jim,
Welcome to the C1/C2 Forum, there are a lot of very knowledgeable people here.
I did a '58 dashpad several years ago. The most important thing I remember is; do not to cut the leading edge (the part that fits under the windshield frame) too short. Cut that last after everything else is in place. I think there is a YouTube video. That leading edge must be sandwiched between the windshield frame and the dash to hold it in place. Cut it too short and it will curl up on you.
Test fit the guage cluster before any gluing. You might have to trim foam off back area in order to get your cluster in far enough to get the bolts in.
I am working on a 58 right now also. Before I started getting ready for body and paint I bought a dash pad just to see how hard it would be to install. All I can say is take your time read everything you can and good luck. It's a bitch Oh I just got it fitted didn't install it but after the car is painted I will. Not looking forward for that.
Last edited by reno stallion; Dec 21, 2019 at 10:30 AM.
Reason: put in wrong place
Test fit the guage cluster before any gluing. You might have to trim foam off back area in order to get your cluster in far enough to get the bolts in.
Test fit the gauge cluster before any gluing. You might have to trim foam off the back area in order to get your cluster in far enough to get the bolts in.
YES, and YES that is the biggest area of a PITA!
I have found when I replaced the aluminum script I welded a 1 1/2 1/4"x20 to the center mount this allowed me to pull/adjust that section into place and concentrate on the grab bar mounts without removing too much vinal, this a critical area also.
The other side cluster is just as much fun too much padding will not let you set the housing back far enough to get the bolts back in
they are soft so make sure they are straight and not cross-threaded
Only push on the top of the housing as the bottom will snap and...........!
Hello Everyone,
i'm fairly new to the post a question process. I normally have read and researched for any information in the past.
I am in the middle of restoring a 58 red Corvette. I am ready to install the dash pad and have heard quite a bit of how difficult and tricky it can be. I have been a mechanic for the past 40 years working at Chevy / GMC dealerships and now a fleet company. I am looking for any hints or guidance that anyone would be kind enough to offer.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
pick the correct pre formed dash, they are all different
pay attention to the speaker and defroster cut outs
pay attention to the dash corners adjacent to the door panels.... don’t cut short
remove enough material behind the aluminum insert to allow it to fit
dry fit the windshield to make sure you don’t Have ripples in the rubber gasket as it sits atop the dash pad.
make sure you fiber glass and close the holes to accept finish screws for the end caps and kick panels...also console trim.
Good luck
Originally Posted by VW67
Hello Everyone,
i'm fairly new to the post a question process. I normally have read and researched for any information in the past.
I am in the middle of restoring a 58 red Corvette. I am ready to install the dash pad and have heard quite a bit of how difficult and tricky it can be. I have been a mechanic for the past 40 years working at Chevy / GMC dealerships and now a fleet company. I am looking for any hints or guidance that anyone would be kind enough to offer.
Thanks for the help,
Jim
I have not done mine yet but a friend called me while putting his in. He was having a terrible time with the speaker area fit stating he just could not get the speaker bezel to fit. Told him the 58 did not use the bezel. You may already know this.
added edit: Besides all the other critical fitting/cutting, I am guessing that the speaker area could be difficult too and look somewhat unfinished without the bezel found on later dashes?
Last edited by tgtexas02; Dec 26, 2019 at 09:04 AM.
Here is my recently completed 59 without the bezel. Rich Mozzetta (Rich5962) has some very informative posts and PDF instructional documents that help guide the way. Rich advised to bond the speaker bolts to the dash and mount the speaker screen Between the dash and dash pad which is what I did. Here is a thread with the reference.
You won't go wrong following Rich Mozzetta guidance - he has put together more Top Flight cars than anyone else around my area...that I personally know of..
58 Refurb
Oh I just got it fitted didn't install it but after the car is painted I will. Not looking forward for that.
