Simply Dashing

Part 1
Restoring the Dash In Your '66-7 Chevelle


dash picture 1. Most dashes have screws located under the upper lip of the dash assembly. Usually, these screws retain both the dash pad and the housing. Be sure to look closely and remove all of them. If you think you've got them all out, but the dash still hangs up when you try to remove it, look again, chances are you've missed one or more screws.

dash picture, removing side screws 2. In some cases, there may even be screws that retain the dash housing from the sides. If that's the case, they'll have to come out too. Be sure to keep several sandwich bags ( we like the resealable kind ) handy to place your hardware in. Mark each bag with the hardware application.
dash picture 3. You'll generally find several bolts that support the dash assembly from underneath. On some models, now would also be the time to remove any undr-dash air conditioning vents, aftermarket gauges, or steering column access panels.
dash, steering column removal 4. The steering column has to be dropped out of your way to facilitate the removal of the dash asembly. At this time, you may elect to trmove it completely for refurbishing while the rest of the dash is out. The bolts securing the column are accessed from underneath, and you'll also need to loosen the support plate where the column passes through the firewall.
dash controls 5a&b The dash should be easily removed at this point, but only after you've marked and disconnected al the electrical connections, heater controls, and heater and A/C ducting. With the dash assembly removed, you can access all the retaining hardware to completely strip the dash. Evaluate each piece as it's removed to determine if replacement is necessary, or if it can be restored.
glove box lock 6a&b. The glove box latch was tricky to remove. It has a recessed, threaded bezel with an internal octagon design that must be unscrewed to remove the latch assembly. Lacking the proper tool, we improvised with a pair of snap-ring pliers inserted between the bezel and the lock assembly. By keeping expanding ( outward ) pressure on the bezel nut, we ere able to unscrew it successfully.

Now onto Part 2 of restoring your dash.... we wouldn't leave you hanging....

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