Reinstalling interior help please
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Holcomb Mississippi
Reinstalling interior help please
I've had the entire interior out of my 69 convertible while it was being painted including carpet, seats, dash, door panels, convertible top and frame. The only interior parts in place are the steering wheel and wiring harness. My question is in what order should i reinstall the interior? I have new carpet and plan to get a new canvas top.
Thanks
Andy
Thanks
Andy
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,084
Likes: 96
From: Bowmanville Ontario
do the carpet and seats LAST
You will be crawling around in there for a long time and the carpet will be stretched before you get a chance to enjoy it.
I started with the dash, it was a bitch because of the dash socets. Then move to the rear, you are going to be crawling around in there for a while too if you upgraded speakers, amps, etc.
Then lay in the carpet and work on the center console.
I used a large blanket to save my knees while working on everything.
Hope this helps
Ken
PS, test your heater core by running the engine and the heater BEFORE installing the right dash and the carpet..If the heater core leaks you will wreck the carpet there.
You will be crawling around in there for a long time and the carpet will be stretched before you get a chance to enjoy it.
I started with the dash, it was a bitch because of the dash socets. Then move to the rear, you are going to be crawling around in there for a while too if you upgraded speakers, amps, etc.
Then lay in the carpet and work on the center console.
I used a large blanket to save my knees while working on everything.
Hope this helps
Ken
PS, test your heater core by running the engine and the heater BEFORE installing the right dash and the carpet..If the heater core leaks you will wreck the carpet there.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Before you install anything in the interior, check the operational systems out completely while you still have good access. Repair any problems with gauges, gauge wiring, clock, radio...now is the time to replace speakers, etc...neutral start switch, heat/vent/A-C servos and hoses. Also a good time to seal up any openings for hot air leakage into the passenger compartment: seal on kickpanel door[s], open holes in firewall, shifter rubber seal on trans tunnel.
You also have the door panels off, so lubricating window mechanisms, repairing door locks, power window wiring can be done.
DO IT NOW so that you don't have to pull all of that nice interior stuff off again in a few days/weeks.
You also have the door panels off, so lubricating window mechanisms, repairing door locks, power window wiring can be done.
DO IT NOW so that you don't have to pull all of that nice interior stuff off again in a few days/weeks.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Andy,
A sequence that seems to work for people is:
Upper dash pad
Left side dash pad
Shifter console
Center gauge cluster
E-Brake Console
Right side dash pad
A-pillar pads
Carpet
Kick Panels
Windshield header trim
Quarter panel trim
Sill plates
Seats
Each piece needs to be located and screws started but not tightened. You can then begin to tighten the screws as you proceed with the next pieces. Be very careful about aligning things as you go.
Be especially careful with the center gauge bezel since it's so easy to break the top off while trying to align it.
The interior installation is extremely time consuming if done in a detailed way.
7T1's point is important… check the operation of electrical and vacuum components as you proceed. You lose more and more access as the interior goes together.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
A sequence that seems to work for people is:
Upper dash pad
Left side dash pad
Shifter console
Center gauge cluster
E-Brake Console
Right side dash pad
A-pillar pads
Carpet
Kick Panels
Windshield header trim
Quarter panel trim
Sill plates
Seats
Each piece needs to be located and screws started but not tightened. You can then begin to tighten the screws as you proceed with the next pieces. Be very careful about aligning things as you go.
Be especially careful with the center gauge bezel since it's so easy to break the top off while trying to align it.
The interior installation is extremely time consuming if done in a detailed way.
7T1's point is important… check the operation of electrical and vacuum components as you proceed. You lose more and more access as the interior goes together.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Aug 26, 2014 at 07:35 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Keizer OR
Any hints on the center gauge console? Mine is an '81, and after pulling then replacing the center gauge console a few times it no longer fits snug. Most of the screws just kinda/sorta screw in as if there is some kind of fold over clips/speed nuts that are missing.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,108
Likes: 4,170
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi s,
Does your 81 AIM indicate there should be some kind of u-nut for the screws to fasten into?
That should give you a start in determining if something is missing.
Regards,
Alan
Does your 81 AIM indicate there should be some kind of u-nut for the screws to fasten into?
That should give you a start in determining if something is missing.
Regards,
Alan
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,487
Likes: 6,967
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Since I installed heat barrier/sound-proofing ALL THE WAY up the floorboard to the BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD.....I would that upgrade first.
The carpet could be installed next...then cover it with an old bedsheet to protect it while doing other panels........
or as other members suggested--install the carpet after all the panels/console are in place.
AND definitely test all components while re-assembling each section......then TEST AGAIN....(don't ask how I know this...LOL)
The carpet could be installed next...then cover it with an old bedsheet to protect it while doing other panels........
or as other members suggested--install the carpet after all the panels/console are in place.
AND definitely test all components while re-assembling each section......then TEST AGAIN....(don't ask how I know this...LOL)
Last edited by doorgunner; Aug 26, 2014 at 03:04 PM.
