dash in or out?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 135
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From: Horicon Wisconsin
dash in or out?
So I was having issues with my heat and A/C system not working right and found some bad vacuum lines. So I bought the kit and have been trying to decide if it would be wise to remove the dash to run all the new lines.
I also have to replace a few light bulbs in the gauges and Im going to replace the vacuum hoses for the headlights.
So what has everyone else done? Just work inside the dash or remove it?
I also have to replace a few light bulbs in the gauges and Im going to replace the vacuum hoses for the headlights.
So what has everyone else done? Just work inside the dash or remove it?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 650
Likes: 1
Dash Out. I'm doing this right now.
Be ready to find more stuff than you expected. Bubba will make an appearance.
IMHO, taking the dash completely out was not bad at all. it was my first time doing this on a C3, and the peace of mind I am getting by making sure things are done right back there is worth it to me. Be sure to look for burnt plug connectors and frayed wires, and of course, your vacuum lines. Drop the column too.
Good Luck.
Be ready to find more stuff than you expected. Bubba will make an appearance.
IMHO, taking the dash completely out was not bad at all. it was my first time doing this on a C3, and the peace of mind I am getting by making sure things are done right back there is worth it to me. Be sure to look for burnt plug connectors and frayed wires, and of course, your vacuum lines. Drop the column too.
Good Luck.
Last edited by brando1118; Apr 12, 2012 at 08:55 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
Well, pull it all if you want to, but I think you can reach everything except for the headlight switch with just the right dash panel and the trans tunnel console removed. Now, if you need to do other work on the gauge panel and/or the driver's side, pulling all of it might be better.
If you don't pull it all out, you should remove the driver's side seat so that you can improve access to the underside of that dash area.
If you don't pull it all out, you should remove the driver's side seat so that you can improve access to the underside of that dash area.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Apr 12, 2012 at 09:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 2,753
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From: Springfield Missouri
Have you ever taken the dash out before??? It's a lot of work to get everything back in place and working again correctly. It would be easier to take it out to work on stuff, but each time you take it apart, you take a chance on breaking something, leaving screws out, or "while I am at it" with start and you'll be broke!
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
There is nothing AC related behind the driver's dash. You should be able to access everything with the passenger's side dash pad out and the center cluster removed.
Define headlight hoses? Under the hood or to the headlight switch? Do you need to replace hoses behind the driver's dash?
Define headlight hoses? Under the hood or to the headlight switch? Do you need to replace hoses behind the driver's dash?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Easy Mike is correct. There are no 'HVAC-related' vacuum lines behind the driver's dash. But, there are vacuum lines there, and problems with those vacuum lines can impact other vacuum devices. So, you only need to know that there are no leaks in that vacuum 'stuff' which services headlights (and wiper door, if you have one).
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
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From: Horicon Wisconsin
Thanks guys. Its a 79 and has headlight issues also. I bought both vacuum hose kits. The one for Hvac and the headlight one. I also need to replace about half the bulbs in my gauges. So Im going to pull the dash and fix everything properly and the dash has a small crack in it that Im going to address before it becomes a big one. Not sure how Im going to fix yet but I will figure it out when I get that far
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
Yes, under those circumstances, you should pull both dash pads....at least, pull the driver's dash enough to get good access to the bulbs and headlamp switch.
But, before you 'dig in', do some thinking about "other" areas that you want to address while the dash is open: radio, speakers, insulation, heater/AC work (servos, cables, door seals, etc), ductwork, heater core check/replacement. You don't want to do that job twice in the time span of your ownership.
But, before you 'dig in', do some thinking about "other" areas that you want to address while the dash is open: radio, speakers, insulation, heater/AC work (servos, cables, door seals, etc), ductwork, heater core check/replacement. You don't want to do that job twice in the time span of your ownership.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 135
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From: Horicon Wisconsin
Yes, under those circumstances, you should pull both dash pads....at least, pull the driver's dash enough to get good access to the bulbs and headlamp switch.
But, before you 'dig in', do some thinking about "other" areas that you want to address while the dash is open: radio, speakers, insulation, heater/AC work (servos, cables, door seals, etc), ductwork, heater core check/replacement. You don't want to do that job twice in the time span of your ownership.
But, before you 'dig in', do some thinking about "other" areas that you want to address while the dash is open: radio, speakers, insulation, heater/AC work (servos, cables, door seals, etc), ductwork, heater core check/replacement. You don't want to do that job twice in the time span of your ownership.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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Former Vendor
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Thanks guys. Its a 79 and has headlight issues also. I bought both vacuum hose kits. The one for Hvac and the headlight one. I also need to replace about half the bulbs in my gauges. So Im going to pull the dash and fix everything properly and the dash has a small crack in it that Im going to address before it becomes a big one. Not sure how Im going to fix yet but I will figure it out when I get that far
Don't pull the dash pad, pull the speedo tach housing, center gauge bezel and the shift console, and the glove box assembly only. You can access everything you need from there....
This page will show you how to take everything out.. just stop at the part where you pull the pad.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=263
This page shows a better detail on how to pull only the speedo and tach housing.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=146
Willcox
Last edited by Willcox Corvette; Apr 14, 2012 at 11:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
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From: Horicon Wisconsin
Sorry guys... but it's a 79...
Don't pull the dash pad, pull the speedo tach housing, center gauge bezel and the shift console, and the glove box assembly only. You can access everything you need from there....
This page will show you how to take everything out.. just stop at the part where you pull the pad.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=263
This page shows a better detail on how to pull only the speedo and tach housing.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=146
Willcox
Don't pull the dash pad, pull the speedo tach housing, center gauge bezel and the shift console, and the glove box assembly only. You can access everything you need from there....
This page will show you how to take everything out.. just stop at the part where you pull the pad.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=263
This page shows a better detail on how to pull only the speedo and tach housing.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/repairand...lp.php?hID=146
Willcox
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 135
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From: Horicon Wisconsin
@ Willcox. I was on your website and was wondering if part number HE99E-0114 was the complete headlight vacuum kit. I work and sleep funny hours so when I had a chance to call there was no answer.
Thanks
Thanks
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yes, that kit will replace all the hoses on the car for the headlamp system 73-79. Boy.. how you found it I have no idea. I move them over to headlamp and added "Headlamp" to the description.
Willcox
Willcox
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2011
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From: Horicon Wisconsin
Thanks! Lol ya I had a hard time finding it, but I was sure you had it so I searched for "vacuum" and that was the only result that looked like it worked.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Are you talking about the actuator behind the heater box toward the driver side? If so, yes you can. when everything is removed you have pretty good access. You'd have to take the box loose from the firewall. (shown on the left side of the picture below)
If you have an issue with the plastic door portion of this then by all means you can reach this part with the pad still installed. (shown by the "Here" below"
Willcox
If you have an issue with the plastic door portion of this then by all means you can reach this part with the pad still installed. (shown by the "Here" below"
Willcox
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 84
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From: Acworth Ga
Yes, that's the one. Not sure how you would get to the actuator itself to run a new vacuum line without taking the dash out and dissassembling the whole thing. I had the glove box and center gauge cluster/console removed and still couldn't reach it on my '81. Perhaps major dissassembly of the a/c ducting is required.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
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From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Yes, that's the one. Not sure how you would get to the actuator itself to run a new vacuum line without taking the dash out and dissassembling the whole thing. I had the glove box and center gauge cluster/console removed and still couldn't reach it on my '81. Perhaps major dissassembly of the a/c ducting is required.
I had the same issue on one of my own cars and I did get the hose on. I probably should have taken the bolts lose from the inner box to the firewall, it would have been way faster and easier.
Even if you remove the dash pad it won't make getting that hose on any easier. It's just in one of those places where it is very hard to get at.
Willcox