I made a custom gauge panel for my 71 but I cam across a deal on a Covan's setup and already had a new set of ultralights so I am about to put the Covan's in and wire up my gauges. I will post some pics of the panel later but I need to know how to take the headlight knob out to get the dash on?

Reach your hand up under/behind the dash until you get to the headlight switch. On the top of the switch (could be on the bottom depending on how it was clocked on install) you'll find a little button. Pull the headlight knob as if you want to turn the lights on, then push the little button and the knob/shaft should pull completely out of the switch. It may take a few tries to get the feel of it and the button is sometimes hard to push in. It will work, you just have to keep playing with it. Once the knob/shaft is out, you need to remove the retaining nut on the switch. Have fun.

OK well I got the switch off and now I'm having some problems so I'll make another thread for them.

I have a Covan's classic dash- sweep style. I had the dash out and was able to do most of the work on the bench. I'd suggest taking the dash pad out if you do not want to remove the dash completely. It makes it a heckuva lot easier running and soldering the wires. The dash pad has 2 screws holding it on in the glove compartment and 3-4 screws holding it on in the sweep area of the original dash. It slides out nearly the way it sits- towards the steering wheel, as spring clips hold it to the windshield side of the dash pad.
You'll need to cut a portion of the original dash out at the bottom along the edge for clearance for the lower 2 1/16" gages- you'll see where when you test fit the panel with the guages installed. I used a muffler cutter with a 4" X 1/16 wide wheel and it cut it nicely.
I also found it hard to re-install the headlight switch, where the stem of the nut didn't have enough thread on it. The Covan's abs cover doesn't fit real tight there either. I used the muffler cutter to remove most of the boss from the back of the original dash headlight switch hole. I didn't have the heart to try to heat it to get it closer fitting.
I chose at this time not to put a radio back in the original location, nor utilize the cigarette lighter, so the Covan's dash covers that area nicely.

I forgot to come back an post, I talked to the guy I got it from and he told me about cutting the dash and all and I did that, the pad was already off the dash so that helps also. I am going to wire up my guages as soon as I get off of work. I ran the wires from the sending units already and when I get back I will run the ignition wire to all gauges and hook up the lights. I will post back when I get done with that. I need to start another thread about the wiring also because I have some quesions. Thanks