Would rather have a colonoscopy
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Would rather have a colonoscopy
I would rather have a colonoscopy than work on the dash of a C3 corvette. I have had many C3's and I know that there are many things that are much harder to work on than other classic and muscle cars such as Chevelles , GTO's , Mopars , etc. , but the dashes were the most poorly designed part of the C3. On the drivers side where everything is crammed in everything has to be perfectly in position to get the dash panel back into position causing a real pain in my a** , thus I would prefer a colonoscopy for which I experienced no pain. Unfortunately I'm going to the garage right now to finish the dash which explains this rant. 
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 377
Likes: 3
From: Northville MI
Going to be tackling it in the next couple of days! Everything it out of the way but I just don't quite have the stones to start removing it
Maybe I should go to the strip club tonight instead of the garage!
Maybe I should go to the strip club tonight instead of the garage!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Left dash is in but now I found some electrical gremlins in the center dash That I have to track down.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
If you can 'trade' taking a colonoscopy for your protologist doing the dash.... take the deal!
Actually, when you take the seats out and remove the door sill plates, the center cluster is not that big of a deal. If you need to remove the driver's dash, you have to drop the steering column and do 'other stuff'. Not so much fun.
Those two nuts on the studs at the bottom of the center cluster can be removed with a small ratchet wrench once you remove the front covers off the trans console.
That job is a PITA, so once you're in there, make sure you check and repair EVERYTHING in there (clock, bulbs, vacuum hoses, ducting dampers, radio wires/speakers, insulation, etc, etc, etc.).
Actually, when you take the seats out and remove the door sill plates, the center cluster is not that big of a deal. If you need to remove the driver's dash, you have to drop the steering column and do 'other stuff'. Not so much fun.
Those two nuts on the studs at the bottom of the center cluster can be removed with a small ratchet wrench once you remove the front covers off the trans console.
That job is a PITA, so once you're in there, make sure you check and repair EVERYTHING in there (clock, bulbs, vacuum hoses, ducting dampers, radio wires/speakers, insulation, etc, etc, etc.).
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
If you can 'trade' taking a colonoscopy for your protologist doing the dash.... take the deal!
Actually, when you take the seats out and remove the door sill plates, the center cluster is not that big of a deal. If you need to remove the driver's dash, you have to drop the steering column and do 'other stuff'. Not so much fun.
Those two nuts on the studs at the bottom of the center cluster can be removed with a small ratchet wrench once you remove the front covers off the trans console.
That job is a PITA, so once you're in there, make sure you check and repair EVERYTHING in there (clock, bulbs, vacuum hoses, ducting dampers, radio wires/speakers, insulation, etc, etc, etc.).
Actually, when you take the seats out and remove the door sill plates, the center cluster is not that big of a deal. If you need to remove the driver's dash, you have to drop the steering column and do 'other stuff'. Not so much fun.
Those two nuts on the studs at the bottom of the center cluster can be removed with a small ratchet wrench once you remove the front covers off the trans console.
That job is a PITA, so once you're in there, make sure you check and repair EVERYTHING in there (clock, bulbs, vacuum hoses, ducting dampers, radio wires/speakers, insulation, etc, etc, etc.).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 6,842
Likes: 285
From: Palmdale CA
A bunch of us on a C3 Corvette run, we're gathered around in the parking lot and to a man, all agreed, that they'd rather pull the motor, than get into the dash! We've had a whole slew of vintage muscle at the shop and the C3 is at the top of the list on the Dash-PITA factor. And all the screws and fasteners are specific to that area or spot! That new term, fits here, really well: "It is, what it is!"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 504
From: myrtle beach sc
Army
The reason that the dash is such a PITA, is because they designed the body and then told the interior designer for the 68, a lady by the way if I remember right, to put an interior into the car. Committee designing with no cross input, like we have today. The 68 interior is beautifully designed but they did not give them the room for dash wiring.
By the way, how many C-3 people know that the C-2 wiper motor is inside the car behind the dash? I could not believe that when I first found it out. Lou.
By the way, how many C-3 people know that the C-2 wiper motor is inside the car behind the dash? I could not believe that when I first found it out. Lou.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 58
Likes: 3
Had to tear into the dash of my 76 when restoring the interior....I currently have no dash lights but don't know if they ever worked when I bought the car. I put one of those small flashlights on my key chain to check my speed from time to time but the wife tore it off, threw it out the window and said " What the hell?? You driving a Ford Focus???" Will check out the problem in the near future on the sly...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
The reason that the dash is such a PITA, is because they designed the body and then told the interior designer for the 68, a lady by the way if I remember right, to put an interior into the car. Committee designing with no cross input, like we have today. The 68 interior is beautifully designed but they did not give them the room for dash wiring.
By the way, how many C-3 people know that the C-2 wiper motor is inside the car behind the dash? I could not believe that when I first found it out. Lou.
By the way, how many C-3 people know that the C-2 wiper motor is inside the car behind the dash? I could not believe that when I first found it out. Lou.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: Central Wisconsin
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Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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If you go back and read the early material on the car, it was thought to be quite innovative for its day.
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 448
Likes: 3
From: Olathe KS
Dash is no fun, but once done, I was happy with the results. And I had working dash lights again! I installed a new harness, and electric tach.
I would definitely not go through this JUST to replace a foggy lens! lol
I would definitely not go through this JUST to replace a foggy lens! lol
1969/1971/2021 Coupes
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