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Topic: center gauge cluster

in Forum: C3 Interior


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center gauge cluster (1/8)
 5/14/13 12:38am
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

I'm debating getting off the computer and trying to go install mine.  I hate that job.  Always worried about breaking something since it seems like some serious bending is required to wedge it in there.  Anyone have any tips?

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
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Re: center gauge cluster (2/8)
 5/14/13 6:35am
Case75
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

I found it much easier with the dash pad loosened off; gives you more room to get your hands in there. Praying seems to help too. So does cussing.

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: center gauge cluster (3/8)
 5/14/13 12:37pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

+1 on loosening/removing the top dash pad....and the cussin part....Censored

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

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Re: center gauge cluster (4/8)
 5/14/13 10:59pm
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

I was hoping to do w/o removing the dash pad, but you guys might be right. So while I'm askin..... To get the pad off I have always had to remove the A-pillar pads and trim above the windshield. You do have to do all that correct? Thanks guys!

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: center gauge cluster (5/8)
 5/15/13 8:19am
Case75
Former Member

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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 Corvette 383 stroker w/Patriot 190 heads, Eagle stroker kit, Comp 279TH7 cam, DUI distributor, Edelbrock 7116 intake, Edelbrock 1806 carb, Hedman Hedders, TH400 w/TCI Breakaway 2400 stall, Transgo 1-2 shift kit.


Joined: 6/19/2012
Posts: 230

I'd say correct Dave. I've never been able to get the pad loose without removing the windshield trim and sunvisors. You'll only be able to lift the pad up unless you remove the one screw that holds the pad to the base of the windshield underneath on the passenger side. And to get that screw loose, you need to remove the passenger side dash front. In fact, I would just go ahead and remove that as it becomes much easier to work on the center stack. Especially if you have AC as I do. I had a bugger of a time getting the center AC vents to line up with the center stack until I took the passenger side off and then I could get my hands behind everything.

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Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
Re: center gauge cluster (6/8)
 5/15/13 12:45pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20126

Windshield side trim, for sure....I don't remember ever having to remove the top trim, or visors to get the side trim panels off, tho. I think if you just remove the screws across the front of the dash pa, it will lift up far enough to wrangle the center cluster in....but taking the pass side pad off would certainly give you more room. Thumbs Up

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    

My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)
             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Re: center gauge cluster (7/8)
 5/15/13 3:19pm
daveo76
Former Member

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Vancouver, WA - USA

Vette(s):
1976 Silver/Firethorn. L48, 4spd. Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.


Joined: 8/25/2005
Posts: 857

Thanks guys.  Passenger side panel is already off so that will help.  That's the easy one to take off and put back on.Smile  But I've had the dash pad completely out a few times and I know I had to remove the A-arm pads to get it out and I thought I had to remove the top trim to get those off, but I'll try it without.  As Joel says, might be able to just loosen everything and not take everything off completely to get the center in. 

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1976 Silver/Firethorn.  L48, 4spd.  Original 2 bolt, vortec heads, 9.4:1 CR, Speed Pro Cam: 224/224@0.050, 112 LSA, Eagle Steel Crank.
Re: center gauge cluster (8/8)
 7/26/13 8:41am
dbarnesid
Former Member

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Boise, ID - USA

Vette(s):
1972 mille miglia red corvette convertible. This is a car currently under restoration. The pic above is of me and my Ph.D. candidate daughter. She, not my Vette, is my pride and joy. Smile...


Joined: 5/29/2013
Posts: 159

My 72 must be a little different. I can r and r the cluster without removing any portion of the dash pad. I just put the lower cluster in first then slip in the AC bezel. BUT the AC bezel won't line up with the rest of the cluster and it's driving me crazy. I think it's because the AC bezel attaches to the dash pad with one screw and the AC duct with two. It never attaches to the main cluster at all. So the AC duct pushes the AC bezel forward and there's no way to prevent it. Arghhh.

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