I recently purchased a Covans classic dash panel and auto meter gauges for my 68'. The panel looks good but the stand offs for the switch brackets (both) do not line up and I'm having to cut and modify the brackets to work for this panel. Anybody else have this problem? I can make it work but it kinda irritates me to think I paid $280 for a piece of plastic that I have to modify to work when it should work the first time!
thanks
hulley

not the first time I've heard that. I like the concept of a pre-made custom dash but I'm gonna hold off 'til the bugs are worked out. Good luck with it.

I Don't know about the '68 but I installed a Covans classic dash panel and auto meter gauges in my '70 and everything lined up just right.

I know how you feel about buying something and having to modify it to make it work though.

Good luck,
Jeff

I had looked at Covan also. My '69 bezel needed repairs at the flange in several spots and I wanted to install some aftermarket guages. I ended up using the stock tach/gauge setup from my SS dash, but replaced the non functioning clock with an AutoMeter ProComp series oil pressure gauge (2-1/8" size). With a little mod to the back of the bezel it fit real well. I epoxied lite gauge sheetmetal to the flange with PC7 epoxy to repair the flange. Also used PC7 to mount small studs (cut off bolts actually) to repair the headlight switch mount holes. When all mods were done, painted it with SEM black plastic paint. Very happy with the way it came out. Total cost about $80.00 (think the gauge was about 70.00 or so).

Yeah those standoffs are not quite what I would call a perfect fit...

Then there is the thickness of the plastic in the guage area. It is too thin for the Autometer guage mounting so you have to add a backing piece to build it up.

If you think you are unhappy now, just wait until you have it all installed and see how much the gauges can bounce up and down.

Might consider returning it due to it not fitting as advertised.

Might consider returning it due to it not fitting as advertised.

:thumbsup:

If I return it, then what option do I have for a similar dash? An original dash panel is just as much money and then more work to put the gauges in! Damn, I love the look of the covans too!

somebody should send them this thread

I agree! i was really interested in getting one until now. Thank you for the heads up!!!!!

I have seen the 66 and 67 panels and its just not what im looking for personally. I would rather make one. It just didnt look right in the dash and the price for them are just overpriced. Not bashing the product, im sure they actually do work just fine. But in my opinion, they just dont look right, at least in the 66-67's.

A friend of mine installed one in his 71' camaro and I've seen one installed in a 70' Chevelle and they both looked good. which is what prompt me to get one for my car. Not happy so far. product looks very cheap, I called covans and they claim to have nothing but praise for the 68' panel, but what are they gonna say? "yeah, our panels suck!"

I had the same problem with my 69, had to rework the bracket.
Mike

I was able to figure something out on the supports... I just do not remember exactly what I did.

I plan on adding a reinforcing panel around the gauges on mine.

It is frustrating because they really do not look bad, and it does make for a better looking full gauge setup. Just wish they had taken it a few steps further.

Yeah, I had to cut the lights/wiper bracket in two and make some new bends and re drill the holes for it to fit. the ignition switch bracket needs to be re-drilled and I'm using a 67' ignition switch and retaining nut because the depth is too shallow to use the 68' switch/retaining nut and trim bezel. the whole thing sticks out 3/4in too far and looks bad. Unfreaking believable! I cant even re-use the old dash panel because its all busted up! Damn temper!

Hmmm... I do not recall cutting up any of the metal brackets back there and I am using all my original switches. Cannot really say they stick out any further than before either.

You can check out the pictures here:
http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/showgallery.php/cat/500/ppuser/20553

BTW be careful about cutting those brackets in two... they provide the vital ground connection for the switches.

I didnt think about the ground! I did try the light switch with no bracket and they worked. Did not try the ignition though. I removed the battery while I played with the gauges and what not! I'll give it a go tonight. The funny thing about the 67' switch is I got it on accident from Year one, it was mispackaged and its gonna work better than the original switch which is damaged (damn temper). If my camara was working, i'd upload some pics. I'll keep you posted.

The ground gotcha on the headlight switch is the dome lights. That is the only time it is used.

Did you get the American Autowire wiring harness from Covan's as well? My recollection is that provided a ground ring for the wiper switch. And that switch absolutely has to have a ground to work.

They sell wireing hardness?, behind my '71 covans dash lies a beehive of homedepot wires all the same colour and split about 5 times each for 12volts and grounds to all the gauges. The dash seems nice, my only complaint is around the heater control, it just doesn't look right, feels like the dash is too far forward there even tho everything else lines up, very strange. Also my dash pad doesn't line up at all but I'm almost positive its just warped since it never lined up nicely with the stock dash, sorry to hear your not satisifed I have to admit I was shocked when I saw the amount of plastic I got for my 300 dollars. Hope everything works out for you.

I would really like to see some pics of the back of the covans dash... anyone?

I actually bought matching wire and connectors so everything matches! All grounds are black, all dash light positives are white, all signal wires are red! At least I did something right! I'm working on it now as we speak! I just check the light switch and the lights work, but I didn't check the dome light. thanks for the heads up vroom 3440, I did not get the wire harness from covans, I bought a plain panel and then the gauges I wanted. Basically I swapped out the volt meter for a trans temp gauge.

I also bought just the dash... it was not until I called asking Covan's what they do for turn signal indicators and such that I learned of the wiring harness. It is color coded just like the GM factory stuff and labeled all along the wires. It also provides a disconnect plug for the dash/gauge pod. I thought it a worthwhile addition.

I'm going to use LEDs for the signal and high beam indicators. I had a brain fart, the 68' ignition switch could work if I made the hole in the panel bigger. But, Year One (I live 1 mile from!) didnt have the correctly packaged 68 switches in stock, hence the 67' switch I recieved, so I just bought a 67' retainer nut and whala it looks pretty good! I'm almost there! All the wiring is done, the sending units are installed, I need to do the brackets and get the LEDs and I'm done!

One point on the LEDs... I would suggest putting in a variable resistor on the blue high beam indicator. That little bugger is just too darn bright!

Keep talking, I am sure to remember more tidbits ;)

I'm picking up some hardware today at work. The screws are all mismatched. Thats a good point on the LEDs, I'll keep that in mind when I look for some today. I'll keep you posted and try to get a pic soon.