streetrod
Member
Life to short to go slow.
Posts: 107
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Post by streetrod on May 1, 2012 9:56:12 GMT -5
What does it take to remove the complete dash on a 64-65 Cutlass 442.
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Post by RAM Z on May 1, 2012 10:19:27 GMT -5
Some time, wrenches and sockets. Pull a few wires loose too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2012 10:23:13 GMT -5
I doubt that you can remove the entire dash as a unit, unless you have smaller hands than I do. How you remove it depends if you want to save anything when you remove it. Probably removing the fuse block on the firewall is the first place I'd start, especially if you are going to refurb everything. There are about a dozen small spring nuts around the perimeter of the padded portion of the dash that secure it to the stationary part of the dash. If you're going to replace/rebuild everything you remove, you'll have to be more careful as you dismantle it. The speedo cable, ignition, light and wiper/washer switches, the gauge cluster, radio and speaker, heater & heater controls will have to be removed to get to the spring nuts. On my car, I wasn't concerned about saving much (wasn't worth saving), so I took a more haphazard approach to removal, and just cut wires, etc.....probably not what you will want to do if you're restoring the car to original. It's a job, and has to be done standing on your head under the dash.
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Post by RAM Z on May 1, 2012 12:20:30 GMT -5
Long answer. Disconnect all the switches. Pull harness off back of speedo, along with cable. Remove radio, take three screws out of rear of heater control unit, remove fan switch knob. Remove the nuts that hold the entire thing to the dash. Thats it. Dont have to remove the speedo unit first or remove the fuse block. Whole thing comes out, still attached to the pad. Dont waste your time trying to take the screws from the face to the pad out.
Might want to drop the column down, two nuts and strap hold it tight to the dash.
Pretty simple actually, done it about 7 or 8 times now.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2012 15:13:19 GMT -5
Longer answer !!
We all have our own ways of doing things I guess. But for me the easiest way is to first remove the glove box liner, carefully if you want to re-use it. Then the radio brace. Remove the cables from the heater box plenum that originate at the heat control unit. Unplug all switches and speedo head, unscrew and pull out speedo cable, don`t forget the radio antenna. Remove the two nuts under the steering column so column will drop some. Now there`s 8 nuts that hold the assembly in (i think only 8) The far left drivers side upper corner is hardest for me, so I usually remove the headlight switch WITH the plug still attached, and just push the switch in and down to give me more room, I`ll do the same with the wiper switch if it gives any resistance trying to unplug since these switches get very fragile over the years. Remove the dash assy. as one chunk, then you can easily get at your headlight and wiper switch to unplug them.
I was pretty amazed at this last one I removed that it had all the mounting nuts in place. One other thing, there`s usually one or two wire loom loops attached to the bezel, one I think around the gas gauge, the other somewhere near the heater control ? It`s only about an hours job, if you drink coffee and smoke
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Post by RAM Z on May 1, 2012 16:43:35 GMT -5
I try not to mess with the cables at the box because of those little press keepers. Seems they always break.
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Post by stan65cutlass on May 1, 2012 16:54:54 GMT -5
I try not to mess with the cables at the box because of those little press keepers. Seems they always break. been there,wrecked the ones at the switch end, actually found it easier to remove the cables at the box end
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2012 17:21:19 GMT -5
I try not to mess with the cables at the box because of those little press keepers. Seems they always break. Those keepers are a pain, instead of trying to pry them up, try unscrewing them like a nut. Works most times, hard on the fingers, but works. If you run across a bastard one, just snip one side with a good side cutter. good hardware store sells for under a dime
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2012 17:23:36 GMT -5
I try not to mess with the cables at the box because of those little press keepers. Seems they always break. You sure you can`t remove that "legend" bullshit ?
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streetrod
Member
Life to short to go slow.
Posts: 107
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Post by streetrod on May 1, 2012 21:09:38 GMT -5
Thanks everyone
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