I decided to replace the tach cable, clock and speakers. Issues with all. Right dash wasn't bad to remove. Center console had me cussing more than a little and now the left dash has got me wanting to beat the dog..............if he only didn't bite back. According to the service manual there are only five steps. ( I've already taken at least a couple more than that) You then lift the dash out to where you can then fit your hand behind the dash to remove the lights, tach and speedo cables. Problem is the dash only moves out to where it wants to go under the housing cover. I can't seem to get it out far enough to get my hands behind it to work. I just can't tug on it any harder than I am because I feel like I'm going to break something. I could try something a little harder, like Herion, but the problem is still going to be there tomorrow. Maybe some of you can enlighten me as to how you've been able to take your dash out. Maybe I'll just take two beers and look at it in the morning............

Have you removed the top pad?

I removed it Scott. The dash itself doesn't seem to want to move forward far enough to get my hands behind it. I undid the a/c ducts below the dash and pretty much everything else I could see. It's loose, just needs to come forward a couple more inches. It seems everytime I start tugging on something I break it.

Can't recall for sure, but I'll assume that your 73 has the mechanical tach connected to the ditributor.  Disconnect the tach cable from the distributor and you get a little more leeway with that cable.

manget12009-04-06 02:28:22

Hope this might help...

http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructions/dash_pad_removal_instructions_new_with_pics_2.pdf

corvette440hp2009-04-06 09:22:36

Well here goes. Just had all the dash out of the 72 to refresh all the panels. To get the left hand dash out you have to take both windshield piller moldings off then take the right hand dash out then the wiper panel. Take the top screws out of the left hand dash take out the screw in the upper center of the top dash pad out  then the top pad will come out. To get the left dash pad out you will have to take the 2 bolts out of the steering column. This will let the dash drop down to get your hand back behind the speedo and tack to take the cables off. (Clips hold the cables) All that is left are the dash & turn light sockets. (Good time to change bulbs).

As I sit here reading this I pray to the Corvette Gods that I may never have to take my dash out.

While you're there, make sure you replace all of the light bulbs!  You don't want to have go back again!!!

Hmmmm....have you taken the steering column down? It needs to be lowered to get the dash out completely. There are 2 nuts/bolts that hold the column to the metal dash bracing. Take the two fasteners off, and the column will drop down enough to get the dash out far enough to get back there and dis-connect the cables, and wiring.
You may want to have something to set the steering wheel/column on while it's unbolted, so it doesn't just flop around....

I'm printing out Larrys instructions and going to it. I do need to drop the steering column. And the light bulbs are going to get changed also. And I pray that the Corvette Gods insure everythjing works great and the dash never needs to come out again. I'd rather be driving it !