Help, Drivers side dash installation
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Help, Drivers side dash installation
For 1970 no air,
I have stripped all interior out of car to install a new firewall insulation.
I made a mistake of not taking any pictures of the main underdash wireharness prior to removing it from the car.
I am trying to install the drivers side dash (speedo, tachometer asm).
I have tried it a few times but it seems to be hitting the dash wire harness.
Does anyone have any pictures of how the main dash wire harness runs behind the drivers side dash?
It seems to go up and over the speedo & tach but I can't get the asm to go all the way in.
I do have the steering column in but hang about 5 inches lower to make additional room.
Thanks
I have stripped all interior out of car to install a new firewall insulation.
I made a mistake of not taking any pictures of the main underdash wireharness prior to removing it from the car.
I am trying to install the drivers side dash (speedo, tachometer asm).
I have tried it a few times but it seems to be hitting the dash wire harness.
Does anyone have any pictures of how the main dash wire harness runs behind the drivers side dash?
It seems to go up and over the speedo & tach but I can't get the asm to go all the way in.
I do have the steering column in but hang about 5 inches lower to make additional room.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
It is really tricky to get all that stuff into such a small space. You can reference the AIM instructions, but photos of proper positioning of items in that area would be the best help. Hopefully, someone on the Forum can help you. Otherwise, you'll have to get a NCRS manual to guide you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
AIM and pics will help the most. Check the thread "Rookies first attempt at restoration" Lots of pics there and also ZIP's catalog has the AIM diagram showing the rear of the instrument panel if you don't have the AIM. I would also say it would probably be easier to maneuver around if the steering column was not in place.Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,173
Likes: 1
From: Liberty Missouri
Everyone says that the wires go over the speedometer and tachometer. I have had my dash out several times in the past few months (getting good at it) and mine just rides at the base of the gauges and goes back in fine. There should be some wire hangers on the back of your dash pad or gauges just pay attention how the wire would lay in them and try to run it following those. That was how I finally got mine back in the first time. I was trying to get them up to high and at least on my ’69 they needed to be lower than what several people said. Yours may need to be high I just thought I would let you know that some work more at the base of the gauge.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,438
Likes: 3
From: Florissant MO
Just put mine back together yesterday. Frustrating job. Hope you have your driver's seat out. Makes it easier to get in there. I also removed my steering wheel.
I used zip ties to tie the harness up even further than where the clips are. Took some wrestling, but finally got it up, all the light bulbs in, the tach wiring and speedometer cable hooked up. All in all, about an hour and a half.
Only got 10 small scratches on my hands.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,352
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
I had a lot of trouble with my 68 also. To install the drivers dash, I took out the speedo and tach. This gave me two big holes to stick my hands into to push and shove the harness and vacuum hoses around until I could get the dash to go all the way in. I started this activity with the steering column complete removed. When things started going back in, I reinstalled the column to make sure the harnesses/vacuum lines fit around the column. Then I pulled the dash out enough to install the tach and speedo back in.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Thanks for the advice
I finaly had time last weekend to work on it. The only way I was able to fit it back together was to go under or behind the speedo and tach.
Dash work on C3's are not very fun.
Thanks for all the advice.
Dash work on C3's are not very fun.
Thanks for all the advice.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Mr Chevrolet did intend for the harness to go over the tach, dip down a little to clear the steering column cast iron mount, and then back up over the speedometer. AIM, UPC 12, Sheet B9, makes it look easier than it actually is!!!
Regards,
Alan
Regards,
Alan