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Morning Brain Trust!
Need to remove the plastic ductwork under the dashboard so I can removed the headlight switch ( can hear a vacuum leak in that area) and disconnect the speedo cable to remove the speedo ( so I can change some bulbs) I cannot get my hand in there with it in place...
My dash pad surround is glued in ( in the door jamb area) so just pulling it back for access is not going to work. Also, not enough slack in speedo cable to pull instrument cluster out far enough to get access to the cable release or headlight switch.
Related issue is headlights still come up when car is started, EVERYTHING has been changed or tested good EXCEPT the actual headlight switch. Once up, they stay up unless manually lowered. Obviously with the vacuum port plugged by the carb they stay down.
If the headlight switch doesn't fix the issue I'm going to tear everything out and go to an electric system....for $210.00 + the ride its worth it not to have deal with this stupid system ( I have more into this vacuum system vs the cost of the conversion kit already)....
Year model? Is the manual headlight opening control operational? It’s near center under steering wheel pointing down. The ductwork is flexible enough to just wiggle around and pull out. To get the speedo/tach out I disconnected the speedo cable first. I also loosened the steering column support and lowered the steering column, but I’ve heard others skip that part. A bench outside the car, at floor level is easier than contorting over or removing the seat.
Charlie
It would have been helpful to know what year you're working on, though the lower AC ducts are installed pretty much the same way on all 68-82's. The AC ducts are just a slip fit, there's no hardware holding them in place. You just slide them off the dash side vent and then the center distribution duct. The 68-77's have a foam seal on the round dash vent side of the duct that may cause the duct and dash vent assembly to stick together, but a slight tug should separate them.
On my 73 convertible there is one screw with a small metal bracket to keep the duct in place If you have a manual transmission it helps to push in the clutch with one hand while you use the other hand to remove the duct. I even went so far as to write instructions on the duct for reinstalling, always attach the end going to the chrome ball first.
'78...Sorry about not including the year, my fault.
under dash/steering column vacuum switch is new.
lights come up when car is started regardless of switch positions
Didn't want to get too carried away with pulling on duct work to remove.
If you can hear a vacuum leak, I’d pull out the duct then follow along each vacuum line with your fingers. If you’re taking the gauges out to change the bulbs, get that out as well for a better view. The gauge housing is a bit of a pain to get out. It will feel like it’s stuck into the surrounding dash-pad. But, wiggle it around gently and it will come loose.
I have a 78 as well and found the 79 factory shop manual to be easier to read. Has an excellent electrical troubleshooting section with wiring and vacuum diagrams in color. 78 & 79 are almost identical except for the fuse box and a couple other things.
Charlie Found on Fleabay.
Under dashboard AC ductwork removal
