Has anyone installed one of these yet? I found many references to them but none had been installed yet. I'm interested to know how they look installed and how the installation went. I'm looking at one to replace my 71 sweep dash.
Here's a link to the one I'm interested in,
http://covansclassic.com/parts/description.php?II=378&UID=20050116093145152.163.100.134
Thanks, Gary

http://www.chevelles.com/cgi-bin/forum/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/21/4939.html?

I'm going to put one of these in my 70 here in the next month or 2, I hope.

Thanks Clark, my search didn't find that thread. I guess I'll wait a bit more and see how others installs go. I'm not ready to buy just now anyway, I'm in the middle of a rebuild for my drag car motor. Amazing how a simple (cheap) re-ring and bearing turns into a total rebuild (expensive)! Gary

When I get mine in I will send you a PM. There will probably be a thread about it too.

I added the Covan's dash on my '68. It looks good but it could be MUCH better...

Here are a couple of my problems:

- It is pretty thin. I added a lot of support on the back using aluminum strips, especially around the instruments. If you do not do this and you tighten the instruments, you will bend the plastic and it will be visible on the front.

- I ordered mine with the A/C vent hole. The hole is wider than it should be. I had to fill it in with silicon. Thankfully, I had a black dash... I talked to Covan about this and he said that's the way it is... So much for customer support.

Overall, it is OK, but for the money, it should be better.

Good luck,
Theo.

Theo,
Thanks for your info about the dash.
Did you buy it with the guages? And do you have any pics of how you had to brace it?
Gary

Gary,

I bought the black dash with the Sport Comp gauges (mechanical). I think it looks pretty nice all together. I wish I had taken some pictures but I did not...

The Covan's dash is nowhere as sturdy as the stock dash. Here is what I did. I bought thin 1/2" - 3/4" wide strips of aluminum from a metal place. Most times you can find enough material from their scrap bins. In order to reduce the dash flex, I silicon glued aluminum strips on the back of the dash. It needs it most around the gauges and screw hole areas.
Aftermarket gauges are held on the dash using "U" shaped brackets. If you tighten the gauges on the panel you will be able to see identations (where the "U" brackets touch the rear of the panel) on the front of the panel. You want to add strips of metal where the "U" brackets will touch. I hope this makes sense...

Theo.

Just to jump in here regarding gauges...I've been really pleased with the 'Vision' series from VDO. Clean look and they use a large plastic ring to tighten the electical type gauges.... does not bend a thin dash panel. The mechanical gauges still use the U-shaped bracket though.

"Nice side"
http://www.audiovisionps.com/ElCamino/VDO%20Gauges%20front.jpg

"Ugly side"
http://www.audiovisionps.com/ElCamino/VDO%20Gauges%20rear.jpg

I can't believe they're that flimsy.They want $800 for a '67 dash. For $800 I should be able to play handball against it.

Originally posted by diesel158:
I can't believe they're that flimsy.They want $800 for a '67 dash. For $800 I should be able to play handball against it. to be fair, the dash itself is less than 200 i believe. all that cost is in the gauges. however i do agree that you should be able to attach the gauges without having to reinforce the plastic.

Danny

Theo,
Thanks for sharing all of your experience.

I also notice the 70-72 dash doesn't appear to have a place for the headlight switch. Am I missing it or is it left up to the installer to make?

I see that the blank uncut dash is $229 and will have to see if it is cheaper to get my own guages.
Did anyone get the blank dash and cut it themselves?
Gary

I bought one for my 66 Chevelle and plan on installing it after I get the dash painted. I was very disapointed in the brushed aluminum when I got it. It looks like plastic with silver paint. I did see it installed in another 66 and it looks great once it's in. Those that have allready installed it, was it hard to do? The wiring looks tricky. Any advice is welcome.
Scott

I have the feaux brushed Aluminum one for my pro street 70. Not sure if I am going to use it since my 10 point cage requires me to modify the corner of it due to the through the firewall bars. Guess I should have looked a little closer at the dash before I ordered it. graemlins/clonk.gif The other thing I am on the fence about is that I want to run a 5 inch speedo instead of the smaller one and I don't think it will fit. I also prefer the pro comp gauges to sport comps. Lastly my tach is an external mount so it can be in my line of sight while looking straight ahead in stead of down. IMO wiring it up will be fairly easy as I am also using an aftermarket harness from Ron Francis. Just have to figure out a layout.

Gary,

I am not sure about the '70-72 dash. I would call them. Do not get discouraged... The dash is not that great but it looks pretty good once installed (and reinforced). At least, my black one looks pretty nice.

Wiring can be tricky. Take your time and document/organize things to make installation easier. You need the electrical diagram. Find and mark the wires in the diagram while you are removing them. Also, construct the new wiring so that it is easy to remove/fix the dash, if needed.

Theo.