I've been working off and on with my 69 interior for a long time to freshen it up and add LED bulbs. Ready to reinstall the gauge bezel (with gauges), original factory radio and shifter console along with A/C controls and fiber optics. The left side dash with speedo and tach has been reinstalled along with the upper dash pad. I'll appreciate any tips as to the best sequence of steps to get things back into place. I've watched several YouTube videos, but none cover all of my steps. I didn't list every minor step below, but tried to focus on the "major" steps (but still turned into a long post-sorry). Maybe someone can arrange the letters I've assigned to the steps into a recommended sequence to help me avoid installing, removing, installing... All metal and vinyl surfaces have been repainted, so I hope to avoid a lot of scratches.

A. Attach A/C control panel to console upper trim plate
B. Attach trim plate to shifter console.
C. Install shifter console to trans tunnel and connect all wiring, vac hoses and optics (lots of fun).
D. Attach the radio to the gauge bezel.
E. Mount the gauge bezel and radio to the shifter console (and radio brace to trans tunnel). Don't tighten nuts yet on bezel studs to the console.
F. Tilting bezel forward, connect gauges, radio wiring and wiper switch wiring.
G. Attach bezel to left side, upper dash and A/C duct below center outlets.
H. Install right side dash and A/C duct and attach gauge bezel.
I Vow to never remove all this stuff again.

Thanks all

 

Not sure if this will help, and maybe you’ve already watched his stuff…
Youtuber “Problem Solver Garage” has a video series “Corvette C3 restoration Series, how to restore a Corvette C3”. I’ve watched every one of his vids. A bit rough around the edges with some things, but a lot of good info in there. He takes out his dash & console, diagnoses and fixes everything, then puts it all back in. Good luck and best wishes!

 

I just finished up installing most of the shift console and gauge cluster in my '72. What I recommend is dropping the steering column a couple inches (2 bolts behind and above the wiper/lights override valves) and removing the three upper screws on the speedo/tach panel. You need this panel to move a bit to line up the screw holes in the gauge cluster and get the screws started. Also leave off the passenger map pocket panel until you get the cluster loosely attached to the shift console and speedo/tach panel. After that, install the passenger panel but only attach the two silver end screws at the door jamb - again, you need it to be flexible to align the cluster screw holes and get them started.

Once every hole has a screw started and everything is aligned a bit, snug the cluster attachment screws on each side, then snug both panel's top three screws plus the upper cluster screw to the dash. You need it all to come together as a unit so it doesn't overly stress one connection over another. Lastly, raise the steering column back into place.

Worked for me and the cluster bezel is flush on each side and sits into the dash at the top evenly. Because the cluster is attached to the shift console, the console was also loose so it was able to move.

 

Sounds like a well laid out road map 67:72!

 

Thanks litevette for the lead. I’ll ck out his series.

 

Thanks for the tips 67:72. Was the radio attached to the gauge cluster before the cluster was attached to the left panel? That might be the only way.

 

Yes, the radio was on the cluster and the radio support bracket (on the passenger side) was installed, but loosely. My '72 is an A/C car with a lot of ducting behind the cluster, so pre-installing the radio is the only way I could get it in there.

 

67:72 Had to take a few days away from this project for hurricane prep and clean up. Did you have all of the controls installed into the shifter console before addressing the radio and gauge cluster? Seems like there will have to be considerable movement of that console to get everything mounted and connected.
Thanks again

 

No, the top shifter plate was not there and the AC/Vent control was there but not screwed to the console. I wanted to install the dashes and gauge cluster first, so the console was just floating.