[TROY]

just wondering how you like it? which finish did you get? hard to tell how they look from pics on website.

 

[70vert]

I bought one for my 70. Black finish. Wasn't told initially that they were for SS dashes (I was one of the early orders that had to wait for a few weeks until they were ready). It is now mocked up in an SS dash and it looks really nice. I think a piece of aluminum cut as a backing plate would go a long way towards making it last with the weight of the gauges hanging on the plastic insert. There is no provision for your light switch, or blinker indicators, or radio. However it does look good. I can send a picture of it in the dash (dash not in the car) but not for a few days.

 

[TROY]

that would be great if you could get a couple pics. i was thinkin of the black also.

 

[HvyChvy71]

If you wouldn't mind I would like to see the pics also. Thanks.

 

[gbt1976]

Does anyone know if these are sold at any retail stores? I want to check out how it looks before spending $700+ on one.

 

[Adman]

http://www.livermoremuscle.com/pictures.php?Parent=27

 

[70vert]

I will try to take and email a couple of pictures this afternoon. I don't know how to post them. Adman's photos show good detail. I'd still like to see one installed with heater controls and wiper switch. Both those openings seem a bit small on my dash. My photos will be with white faced gauges.

 

[Adman]

My friend doesn't have any stock stuff on his dash. He made little flip up switches for all his lights and stuff and put them in the bottom left.

 

[three85stroker]

Anyone know if the holes (specifically the tach and speedo holes) in those dash inserts can be made large enough for a 5" gauge?

 

[J70Chev]

As a matter of fact, I just recieved a sample of the 3 finishes they offer in the mail yesterday. I think I'm going to get one of the CF Finish ones, didn't really like the almn finish, looks too fake. But the samples they sent were cutouts from dashes and it seems to be really flimsy. how are these as a solid unit? pretty stout, or would you definately need to re-enforce the backing on them?

 

[Adman]

they are actually pretty fimsly, but they sit fine once they have been properly secured.

 

[ken70ss396]

A friend of mine installed one in a 70 SS Pro Street last spring. It is the one that looks like brushed aluminium. I machined a .090 piece of alumnium for a gauge backing plate, and small alum.plates for the light switch and radio.
He also strenghthened the original dash in the back using that 3m type body panel bonding stuff that comes in a calking tube. It really stiffened the dash up after cutting the opening.I also machined small pistons for the switch knobs, and ball milled a radio faceplate.
It looks great and for my help he gave me the gauge pod with all the gauges, 70SS green gauges,well worth it!

 

[Skenny71]

I have a 71 chevelle Malibu and I am thinking of putting one of those dashes in my car and I was wondering if it will fit in the sweeping speedo dash and if you have to cut out the instrument cluster or if it just somehow goes over the top.

 

[Adman]

It does fit, with a little work.

 

[Skenny71]

do you have to do any cutting?

 

[three85stroker]

I think it's kind of stupid to have to start with a SS dash. If I had a SS dash, I wouldn't need to do a gauge conversion in the first place!

They should have a direct bolt in round gauge conversion for sweep type dash housings.

 

[webfoot]

I have a sweep dash and got the covan's, it fits over my sweep dash perfectly. Only a little cutting is required, and it does have a hole for the headlight switch. None for the blinkers though.

 

[Scotts 66 Malibu]

Hello,

I have one and am going to be installing it in my 66 Chevelle. This has been a topic of past from other team members and one member bought it and glued some flat metal peices on the back of the dash to stiffen it up and he said it worked great. This is what I plan to do. I was very disapointed with the brushed aluminum one that I received so much that I'm going to have the painter paint it the same color as the car. I like the idead and the fact that it is different and you won't see alot out there. It's a shame that the quality is not the best and you do have to use some sort of reinforcement so it will work correctly..

Makes you want to come up with a better idea doesn't it?

 

[70vert]

I disagree with Adman on this. When I bought my Covan they were advertising it for 70-72 Chevelles. I bought one for my 70 Malibu. When I got it I started cutting per the paper template they provided. It would not fit. Vent holes in the wrong area and other alignment problems. Emailed and spoke with the Covan folks without results. Bought a used SS dash to replace my now ruined sweep dash. Started looking at it and the Covan insert and realized that they made the insert for an SS dash. They now make one for a sweep dash too (I haven't confirmed this though). Bottom line, you will have to cut. It does seem a bit flimsy. Mine was for a convertible and I was afraid of what direct sun would do to it without bracing. Those that I said I would send pictures to... stand by, they are coming.

 

[70vert]

Quick clarification, I replied without reading the second page of posts. The first style Covan was for 70-72 SS dashes. It doesn't want to fit the sweep dash, I tried. I don't know anything about the second style Covan made for the sweep dash.