Hello Everyone.

I have a 1969 Convertible Stingray that I am beginning to replace a few bad parts on. I am needing to change out the guage/radio bezel, but am confused on how it should come out. I have experimented with it a bit, but it appears as is someone had previously re-assembled the center console assembly and dash assembly in a "not-so-correct" manner.

I was curious if anyone had any detailed instructions on how to remove the shifter console and radio/guage bezel on the 69 vettes. I am wanting to re-assemble everything the way it should be done and am looking for any assistance.

Photos would be very appreciated.

Thanks for any information that anyone can offer.

Aubrey

 

You need to purchase the Chevrolet Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM) for your car. Most aftermarket Corvette parts catalogs have them and they are very inexpensive (for the wealth of information they supply). It is a MUST HAVE if you own a Corvette.

 

Thanks for the reply. I do have the 1969 Corvette Assembly manual. However, it isn't very clear on the assembly and disassembly of the console sections on the interior. The real confusion comes in around the Reinforcement bracket below towards the front of the shifting console, and specifics on how to properly remove the radio bezel.

It has diagrams, but I guess I was looking for more specifics and suggestions on the proper way to remove and install things such as the radio, and heater control assembly, etc, etc.....

Thanks for any other suggestions that anyone can offer.

Aubrey

 

The lower edge of the gage cluster has two studs projecting downward. These fit into mating holes in the "U" shaped bracket at the front of the shift console. There are flanged nuts on the underside of the bracket. These are best reached by removing the front side panels on the shift console and reaching up with a small wrench (I can't remember the exact size, but I think it is a 3/8" nut.) Once you have these nuts off, remove the Phillips screws from the inside edges of the gage cluster, pull the radio ***** and remove the nuts from the control shafts, and you should be able to get the gage cluster loose. Have tags ready to identify all the wiring and lights and their proper location. You will need to pull all the wiring/sockets off the back of the cluster to remove it from the car. Once you get that done, focus on the shift console...which includes removing the fibre optic lines and lenses ('68-72 cars) and the A/C control head (if you have one).

 

Oops! One CRITICAL item..... when you first remove the gage cluster, YOU MUST USE A SMALL WRENCH TO REMOVE THE NUT ON THE OIL PRESSURE FEED LINE INTO THE OIL PRESSURE GAGE. Then, don't forget to plug the line off if you want to start the car again...or you'll be replacing oily carpet and seat covers.

 

Thanks for the reply 7T1vette,

I'll give this a shot this weekend.

I've seen the two studs that fit into the front console reinforcement bracket. I think my primary issue is that the reinforcement bracket wasn't initially setup correctly by the previous owner. From what I can tell, it appears that the bracket should attach to two tabs that are attached to the floor. I'm guessing that there should be some type of fastener attached to those two tabs on the floor and the two screws towards the front and on the sides of the shifter console shout go through the shifter console trim, the shifter console, the reinforcement bracket and into the fasteners on the tabs located on the floor. (I'm not sure if that sounds confusing or not, but basically one screw on the left or right should pass through 3 objects and into the fastener on the tabs on the floor under the shifter console).

If need be, I could take some pictures and draw arrows on what I'm questioning.

Thanks again for the help.

Also, when I have removed the bezel initially, I had tried removing that small retaining nut on the oil pressure line. The nut came off easily enough, but, the line wouldn't pull out. I didn't want to take a chance on tearing the plastic tube, so I gave up. Is there a trick for removing this line from the back of the guage?

Aubrey

 

U-nuts. Console reinforcement mounts to the floor brackets with u-nuts.

There is a ferrule on the end of the oil pressure line. Tug it gently and it will come out of the oil pressure gauge.

FWIW: I usually remove the stereo with the center cluster and pull both as one unit. Ditto for installation.

 

The bracket at the front of the shift console is NOT connected to the floor. It is riveted to the console. It also has a lot of free-play. Not only is the bracket the receiver of the studs at the bottom of the gage cluster, the sides of that bracket also receive the screws from the forward console side panels; so the bracket needs to move a bit for the holes to line up. When you remove the shift console, the bracket will come with it. DO NOT DISASSEMBLE IT FROM THE CONSOLE.

 

Thanks for the info again. I guess I had the wrong idea on how it was to be assembled.

I'll scan some of the diagrams from the assembly manual and take some pictures this afternoon and post them to see if that makes it easier to find out where I'm mistaken.

I really do appreciate the help.

Aubrey

 

Ok,

I've scanned two of the pages from my assembly manual. On the first page: Scan 01 it appears as if the screws towards the front and on the sides of the shifter console go through the console and into the tabs mounted on the floor.

On the second page that I scanned: Scan 02 it appears as if the screws that go through the trim panels are the same ones that go through the sides of the shifter console, through the reinforcement bracket and into the u-nuts that are clipped onto the floor bracket (whew that was a lot).

In the two pictures listed: Picture 01 and Picture 02 I have temporarily placed the trim panel screws through the console, reinforcement bracket, and into the u-nuts that are clipped onto floor brackets. I was assuming that what I needed to do was to remove those two screws, and insert them through the trim panels, and then through all the other pieces?

I am trying to get the console setup and attached in the proper manner so I can install the new radio/guage bezel I purchased from eckler's and try to get this car looking proper.

I'm also having difficulty in locating a source for the u-nuts that seem to be missing. I was debating on ordering the entire interior fasterner kit, but it doesn't appear to come with any u-nuts. I haven't been able to find any so far looking with Eckler's and Corvette America. Any suggestions on other sources?

Thanks for all the help.

Please excuse how dirty the car looks, I promise it's not normally like this.

Aubrey

 

Scan01 shows the U-nuts previously mentioned. Sheet metal screws pass through the console, the bracket, and in to the u-nuts.

Scan02 are the console trim panels. Trim screws hold these to the console.

4 different screws.

 

Thanks Mike,

So, I had the console section figured out correctly. It's the trim panels that should screw directly into the console, not necessarily any brackets. Or, should there be some type of u-nut installed on the console re-inforcement bracket for the trim screws to fasten to?

I've just successfully remove the entire center console, and it appears as if someone had tried to "force" screws through the reinforcement bracket. They even drilled multiple holes above the slotted whole that holds the console to the bracket's on the floor. I'm debating on whether or not I should just order a new reinforcement bracket and re-rivet it to the console.

Man, this is a lot of work. I just thought jeeps were a pain.



I appreciate the help.

 

Apparently, the bracket inside the front of the '69 shift console is different than '70-'72s. You should assemble per the '69 AIM. Whether you replace the bracket or not is your call...if you want it perfect, buy a new one. If you just want it assembled properly, use what you have--it won't be visible after the console is installed.

 

Thanks for the reply again 71.

I've found what's happened. Apparently the people before didn't realize that there were two sets of screws, one that fastens the console to the floor brackets, and a set of screws that fastens the side trim panels to the console. I believe I have everything corrected now.

I wasn't looking into making a huge investement into the car quite at this time. I want to spend the next 2 or 3 years planning out the logistics of a complete and perfect restoration of the car. I have the original L89 427 siting on the engine stand at the moment as well as a majority of the correct parts to go into the car. I don't believe I'm going for an absolute perfect numbers matching restoration, just something that will bring the car back to better than factory new status.

I'm in the middle of a 3 year + build on a custom 1977 jeep at the moment that has financially gotten WAY out of hand. I am a little spooked now, seeing how much money you can actually drop into a jeep rebuild, and contemplating on how much that will be dropped restoring the 69 vette.

I guess it's a love of fine auto's that drives us almost into bankrupcy.

Thanks again for all the help.

Aubrey