Newb needs help
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: New Market AL
Newb needs help
My first corvette arrived 2 weeks ago (70 4spd coupe). I love it, but, it has issues. My first project is vacume line replacement, half of them werent even there and the rest are rotted, I bought a replacement kit and have read the great threads on here about how to troubleshoot the system. I started to replace them today and quickly got stuck trying to get the left side guage panel out of the way enough to get access to replace the lines behind the dash. I have removed the cover at the bottom of the steering column and all the screws holding the left side instrument cluster (tach speedo) as well as 2 bolts that held the steering column up, however it only allowed me to drop the column about 1/2 an inch so it still doesn't allow me to move the pannel that holds the tach and speedo far enough out of the way to see or replace the vacume lines. Any guidance will be appreciated.
Raycedad
Raycedad
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
To drop the column much more, you need to remove the bolts at the firewall, maybe even the rag joint. By the time you do that, you might as well just get it out of there.
You could also remove the top pad, by removing the sides and working it out. Will give you some access to the rear of the cluster and the switch.
You could also remove the top pad, by removing the sides and working it out. Will give you some access to the rear of the cluster and the switch.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,714
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
Be very careful. If the part of the left side that sits on the steering column is not cracked now, trying to wiggle the side panel out without removing the top pad can crack it.
It takes a little time but I agree with removing the dash pad.
It takes a little time but I agree with removing the dash pad.
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: New Market AL
Thanks for the quick response. By removing the "sides" I assume you mean the plastic pieces that cover the A-pillars. After I get those out of the way, how does the dash top come off? is it just held in place by some kind of clip, so that I will just have to slide it strait back? It is still in pretty good shape after 42 years and I'm just nervous that I'm gonna bust it if I miss some hardware.
Thanks,
Raycedad
Thanks,
Raycedad
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,745
Likes: 712
From: Lafayette Louisiana
my 2 cents;
My 2 cents:
unbolt the driver's seat, 4 bolts, and remove it
remove the steering wheel and column, do a search and read Jim Shea's info, I think you do not want to have the steering wheel unbolted and not supported.
this way you will have room to work, and you can remove the driver instrument panel without messing with the dash pad. I think dash pads are prone to crack IMHO, particularly old ones.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Corvettes are great fun
Congratulations on your 70!
unbolt the driver's seat, 4 bolts, and remove it
remove the steering wheel and column, do a search and read Jim Shea's info, I think you do not want to have the steering wheel unbolted and not supported.
this way you will have room to work, and you can remove the driver instrument panel without messing with the dash pad. I think dash pads are prone to crack IMHO, particularly old ones.
Hope this helps and good luck!
Corvettes are great fun
Congratulations on your 70!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
If you don't disconnect the tach and speedo cable sheaths at their heads the dash won't move enough to work behind it to change the vacuum lines. Press the spring steel tab to release.
