i have a 70 malibu that has been completely changed over to an ss ,the whole front end is off an ss car , bumper pad, steering wheel,ss hood and dash. MY million dollar question is will a dash out of a 72 camino ss work? It came with woodgrain overlay with seatbelt warning light underneath. IT has the three round gauges,with the clock no tach.What do I need to do wiring wise to make this work or will I have to find a 70 ss dash? please help me .....just a novice any help I would forever be thankful .

chad,
The dash you are discribing sounds like a dash from a monte carlo not an el camino. I don't believe the EC's came with woodgrain. the EC & MC & chevelle dashes are all the same size and will fit all three cars. The seat belt warning means it was a 72 dash. To install you will need a wiring harness for a ss dash which comes in two flavors, for gauges & tach if you have them or idoits if you don't.

Jody
71 SS454
ACES

Call Sundell Automotive in Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Ask them ANY Chevelle or Monte Carlo dash swap question. They'll know the answer.

Heck you don't have to call anyone, the people right here know just about anything you need to know about Chevelles.

The dash with wood grain came out of a Monte Carlo, not an El Camino.
Yes, I believe you will need to make some minor wiring changes to use the 72 Monte dash to replace the 70 Malibu dash.
check out Jim's page.
http://azonline.com/~jimmy/

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Dean Call
Overland Park KS
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macc.chevelles.net (http://macc.chevelles.net)

This may not matter to you, but I always bring it up for the good of all.

In case you're not aware, in 1970 ALL dashes had light "mint" green numbers and lit up green when you turn on the dash lights.

Starting in 1971 and carrying over into 1972 ALL dashes lit up light blue when you turned on the dash lights and the numbering was painted in white.

The wood grain plate is aluminum, and will come off. Check the back of the dash. If the aluminum panel is held on at the edges, it can come off, and the dash used as for a Chevelle. If it is held on with holes drilled in the center portions of the dash, I recommend either another dash, or leave the woodgrain on. The seatbelt light will be a giveaway that it is not a '70 dash.

You will need to either modify your wiring harness, or use one off another '70 Monty Carlo, or Chevelle. One from '71, or '72 will not work as they are wired differently.

If it is a Monte dash and it has the holes drilled in it, you can easily repair it. All you need to do is fill the hole almost flush with the face of the dash. Use a two part epoxy to do this (PC-7). Then you can pick up one of those vinyl patch repair kits at WalMart or some other discount store. These kits include grain patterns that you use to make impressions and match the grain of your dash. Then you will have to clean and paint your dash black and use a silver enamel paint marker for the silver trim around the gauges and radio, etc... Monte dashes are identical to chevelle dashes once the woodgrain is removed.

Keep in mind that some of these holes can be drilled through an unrepairable part of the dash. Like around the lighter where it says Lighter. (I think thats the one) Some have a hole drilled in the center of the word.