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Hi all, trying to put my 1981 interior back together. When i go to put the shift panel on, the holes on the panel are about 3/4 of an inch behind the speed nuts on the supports. To me this means i need to pivot my dash down to make up that difference. I have loosened the 4 screws on the end of the dash, and loosened the radio support rod. I should think at this point I'd be able to pivot the dash, but its not moving at all. Any thoughts on what am i missing that's preventing me from moving the dash in a little bit?
See the picture below for the 4 screws i can't get lined up.
Loosen or remove the four screws that mount the center gauge pod.
Then you can push the console forward with a little pressure and align things.
My reproduction console cover was very tight to install.
Craig
Last edited by Street Rat; Nov 17, 2019 at 07:29 AM.
My original one is tough too..i also found the armrest was twisted...use a giant pipe wrench after removing pad and straightened..my tabs at the back were already broke..not worth it to me to replace.cant see
Remove the screws holding the gauge pack (they're all visible).
Install the two oddly angled screws that attach the shifter panel to the gauge pack bezel. These are installed in tabs on the front edge the shifter panel.
Get a helper for a couple minutes and push the shifter panel forward enough to line up the screws.
Install the screws that hold the gauge pack.
Done this way everything should line up very nicely with the carpeted side panels fitting perfectly.
I suggest that you try to be extremely careful about force-aligning/torquing down on anything that puts pressure on the upper console. It is directly attached to or in close contact with the dash cover. I've seen many pictures of '77-82 C3's with cracked upper dashboard panels. They are evidently fragile, esp. after 37 years. And, based on the inevitable dash repair postings here -usually around Spring - it makes the 'top 10 PIA C3 repairs list', both, because of the disassembly effort, and (mainly) due to the reassembly effort that is compounded by some very sloppy/poor-fitting aftermarket dash pad replacement options. Bottom line, don't go crazy if in contact with the upper console/dash.
Pls let us know how you corrected it and what you determined was the causal for that gaping 3/4" gap which is hard to imagine.
Advice on console installation
