HOWTO R&R Console?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Florida
HOWTO R&R Console?
I am restoring the interior of my 69 convertible, and I'm looking for the best method of disassembling the shifter console.
I have all the ginger bread off, and the hold down screws off. I can see underneath, by lifting it up as high as I can, but I'm afraid that if I do the wrong thing, I'll destroy the original console or internals.
Can somebody please help.
I have all the ginger bread off, and the hold down screws off. I can see underneath, by lifting it up as high as I can, but I'm afraid that if I do the wrong thing, I'll destroy the original console or internals.
Can somebody please help.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: College Station TX
Make sure you undo the nuts attaching it to the center instrument cluster. A previous owner of my vette had not done that, and that part of the console was practically worthless. Add in the fact that the fiberglass in mine was old and brittle, and my console barely held up under its own weight. I epoxied some strips of aluminum inside mine to gusset it, but in the long run, it is going to needs to be replaced. Just too much abuse over the years.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Florida
The center console is already off. I removed the nuts 20 years ago when I did readio work. I'm trying to figure out the best approach to getting the vent controls, heater controls, and fiber optics at the top of the console loose. I do not have a/c in this car.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Florida
Thanks for the picture. How did you get the console off to take the picture? I can see all the things in the picture, but it does not help me figure out which method to get it accomplished.
I see the vent cables. How did you get the drivers side loose. It is buried underneath the heater control?
I have the heater control loose, but it is still sitting on top of the metal frame that mounts to the console, and it will not move enough to get it over enough to get it through the whole and down.
I can see the fiber optics in the picture, but how did you get them loose?
Each time I get something loose on this car, I can see how the manufacturer had figured out how to do it the easy way. I'm looking for the easy way before getting it apart this time, because for the first time, I don't think I can get it done the hard way without breaking something.
I see the vent cables. How did you get the drivers side loose. It is buried underneath the heater control?
I have the heater control loose, but it is still sitting on top of the metal frame that mounts to the console, and it will not move enough to get it over enough to get it through the whole and down.
I can see the fiber optics in the picture, but how did you get them loose?
Each time I get something loose on this car, I can see how the manufacturer had figured out how to do it the easy way. I'm looking for the easy way before getting it apart this time, because for the first time, I don't think I can get it done the hard way without breaking something.
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Brett Foote
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Thomasville Ga
I'm doing this now, too, in my 71 vert. I had the same fear you have. However, no fear needed! 
Your console has the screws on both sides, front and rear, and is attached to the center gauge bezel with the two nuts you said you already took off...simply slowly lift the console up. Underneath the fiber optics part you'll easily see how to pull the wires out and disengage the fiber optic lens. The wires have some slack. Just do it slowly...when you see it, it is clear.
72GAC...thanks for that info...I've been trying to figure out how that bolt worked at the back of the e-brake originally cause my bolt is gone...by the way...I'm in Ga, also...down in Thomasville...
Your console has the screws on both sides, front and rear, and is attached to the center gauge bezel with the two nuts you said you already took off...simply slowly lift the console up. Underneath the fiber optics part you'll easily see how to pull the wires out and disengage the fiber optic lens. The wires have some slack. Just do it slowly...when you see it, it is clear.
72GAC...thanks for that info...I've been trying to figure out how that bolt worked at the back of the e-brake originally cause my bolt is gone...by the way...I'm in Ga, also...down in Thomasville...
Last edited by fjetb; Feb 3, 2005 at 08:27 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Thomasville Ga
My car is not in my garage right now, so I can't look...and mine has A/C...butt, if I remember right once the module is unscrewed...just lift slightly and turn...the console will lift right up over it...it wasn't a problem on mine..I did not disconnect ANY vacuum lines or wires....
I have pics...butt, can't figure out how to post them!
I have pics...butt, can't figure out how to post them!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 13
From: Hollywood, Florida
Originally Posted by sommervi
How about the heater control. How do I get that to come loose enough to get it to go through the metal mount piece? Do I have to pull off all the vacume hoses?
Then, with the screws holding the cont. valve removed, pick it up and turn it slightly, while you are also turning/pulling the mounting bracket...it has a TAD of give.
The control cable will just slide off of it's nub on the end of the holder that the black thumbwheels operate.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Florida
Thanks to all who posted. I will try the suggestions and let you know how it turns out.
I am trying to do this right because this car has been waiting patiently for 14 years for me to bring it back to life. The body is done, the 427 and drive train is working, and it is just the cosmetics of the interior left to do.
I am trying to do this right because this car has been waiting patiently for 14 years for me to bring it back to life. The body is done, the 427 and drive train is working, and it is just the cosmetics of the interior left to do.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne Florida
I did get it done. The trick is to unscrew the one screw that holds the vacume line manifold on from the left side of the heater control, then remove the screws for the two vent cables, now that the left side is do-able after removing the vacume manifold. With those off, the heater control is loose enough to rotate out of the metal mount piece. After that it was cake.
