[unclehulka]

I'm just begining my sweep-to-SS dash conversion and was making good progress until I ran into a frustrating problem that I hope someone here might be able to help me with. I have removed the dash pad and all of the dash mounting bolts. I have pulled the top of the dash away from the windshield and am unplugging all the wire harness connectors from the dash. Some of the connectors come off pretty easily, but two have me at a dead stop. The orange wire at the back of the cigar lighter just doesn't want to come off, but I am probably not using enough force.

The one that is really frustrating me is the main instrument panel connector adjacent to the speedometer cable. I am attaching a picture so you can see the one I am talking about. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get this connector off. I've exerted quite a bit of force but I don't want to break something.


Is there some sort of release I'm not seeing? I tried to gently pry it off with a small flat-blade screwdriver but that didn't work.

I'm close to actually being able to remove the dash it's killing me to be stymied like this! Can anyone here throw me a lifeline?

Thanks!

 

[DROPTOP L-89 LS-6]

You have to take the dash with the wiring still attached!!!! Take the forward harness's off at the firewall behind the Brake booster, then remove the 2 5/16 bolts that hold it in the firewall, unplug the dimmer switch and the rear body connector, parking brake switch wire and lift it out !!!!!!!!!

 

[unclehulka]

You have to take the dash with the wiring still attached!!!! Take the eorawd harness's off at the firewall behind the Brake booster, then removethe 2 5/16 bolts that hold it in the firewall, unplug the dimmer switch and the rear body connector, parking brake switch wire and lift it out !!!!!!!!!

I'll give that a try tomorrow. I was trying to follow the procedure outlined by Chevrolet for dealer service personnel. I figured removing the harness after the dah is out would be a lot easier. Wrong! I'll let you know how I do.

Thanks for taking time away from that amazing '72 Malibu 400!

Uncle Hulka

 

[DROPTOP L-89 LS-6]

Allways glad to Help !!!!!! If you have any other questions just ask, I can take them out and put them back in my sleep !!!!!

Jim

 

[unclehulka]

Thanks Jim. I appreciate that. My God, you have a phenomenal collection. I've been fortunate to have owned 3 genuine 1970 Chevelle SS cars (two were LS-6 cars) and I thought that was kind of cool. Now, I am more than humbled by the amazing collection you have amassed.

I've never attempted anything like this before. I hope I'm not in over my head.

When removing the dash pad, I noticed one of the mounting screw holds in the pad had been stripped. Can you recommend a way to fix this?

Thanks for the encouragement, Jim. I need it!

 

[DROPTOP L-89 LS-6]

You can fix a number of ways depending how stripped it is. You can fill it with epoxy and drill it than run the screw in to thread it. Dont laugh on this one jump in the Honey do toolbox and get a drywall plastic anchor for the right size screw, add a little glue and push it in place works perfect. Good luck in your removal tommrow. Jim

 

[unclehulka]

NEVER would have thought of that one, Jim. Brilliant!

Now get some sleep. That Malibu's not going to restore itself!:beers:

 

[RealRed70]

When doing a SS coversion you will need to change out the whole dash assemby harness at the firewall, as Jim stated. One bolt is on the engine compartment side of the fire wall and two bolts are on the interior side of the firewall. This will seperate the dash harness from the engine harness/ forward lamp harnesses. If you would like to remove those Malibu dash light sockets/ harness from the speedo cluster, you will need to remove the idiot light bar from the front of the speedo. To do this you must carefully pry out 3 small rectangular black plastic block off plates that cover 3 screws. Remove these three screws and remove the idiot light bar. You then will be able to acess the front of the pieces you are trying to remove. The light sockets and wire harness. There are 4 plastic prongs which must be squeezed, in order to remove the sockets from the speedo, as you are trying to do. I have show a picture below to help you the what you are looking for. Look closely at the end of the connecter that the sockets are in. You must squeeze these from the front of the speedo.

 

[unclehulka]

When doing a SS coversion you will need to change out the whole dash assemby harness at the firewall, as Jim stated. One bolt is on the engine compartment side of the fire wall and two bolts are on the interior side of the firewall. This will seperate the dash harness from the engine harness/ forward lamp harnesses. If you would like to remove those Malibu dash light sockets/ harness from the speedo cluster, you will need to remove the idiot light bar from the front of the speedo. To do this you must carefully pry out 3 small rectangular black plastic block off plates that cover 3 screws. Remove these three screws and remove the idiot light bar. You then will be able to acess the front of the pieces you are trying to remove. The light sockets and wire harness. There are 4 plastic prongs which must be squeezed, in order to remove the sockets from the speedo, as you are trying to do. I have show a picture below to help you the what you are looking for. Look closely at the end of the connecter that the sockets are in. You must squeeze these from the front of the speedo.

Now I feel like an idiot! I never thought to remove anything from the front of the panel to release that connector! I thought it was retained from the rear. Thanks so much for the info and the pics. I appreciate the help.

 

[Sean]

No offense to the other posters, but both statements are incorrect.

You don't HAVE to remove the main plug from the firewall and you don't HAVE to replace the harness.

It all depends on how comfortable you are with changing some plugs and ends and with soldering.

I have done the conversion using the sweep harness and I have removed the entire dash without disconnecting the firewall plug.

With all due respect, those are the EASIER but more expensive methods, but that is not the only way.


Sean

 

[unclehulka]

Hi Sean,

Thank you for your input, but since I already bought both harnesses I'm going to replace them. Besides, the originals are a little hacked from previous owner(s).

Thanks again!

 

[unclehulka]

You have to take the dash with the wiring still attached!!!! Take the forward harness's off at the firewall behind the Brake booster, then remove the 2 5/16 bolts that hold it in the firewall, unplug the dimmer switch and the rear body connector, parking brake switch wire and lift it out !!!!!!!!!

Is there a trick to unplugging the forward harnesses from the fuse panel? I've removed the three screws (2 on the dash side & 1 on the engine side) but the forward harness connectors do not want to come off. I looked in the shop manual, the AIM and the fisher manual but none of these show how it comes off. The AIM has a view in A12 but I can't determine any special way to pull the connectors from the fuse panel.

I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me how these come off. I am afraid I'll break or damage something if I keep trying brute force.

Thanks!

 

[shadowgray396]

Here's an article I used to replace my dash. Also it may be just hard to get apart from being together all these years. They put a sealant in the connections to keep the water out.

http://www.ss396.com/pdf_catalog/tech/ssdash/1970-1972_chevelle_dash.pdf

 

[unclehulka]

UPDATE Dash Conversion Problem (and I'm SO CLOSE!)

Just wanted you all to know that the dash is OUT!!!! It was a little tricky removing it alone, but a pair of jackstands helped support the ends so I could finagle it out without breaking anything.

What a relief to have the dash out. I am so eager to have the round gauge dash installed. It will change how I feel about this car so much.

Now onto assembling the new dash. Wonder what that will be like!

A huge thank you to everyone that took the time to offer advice. Without you guys, I'd still be scratching my head! So Here's to you! :hurray::beers::hurray::beers::hurray::beers:

Cheers and Beers!

Uncle Hulka

 

[shadowgray396]

Good job :thumbsup::thumbsup: :hurray::hurray: :beers::beers:

Now the fun begins. If you are using after market dash bezel there may be a tab that will have to be trimmed off just to the right of the heater control unit (toward the glove box). I had to trim mine back to get the heater controls to fit correctly.

 

[unclehulka]

I'm starting to get a defeatist attitude! I bought the complete sweep to round dash conversion kit from Ground Up. the kit is supposed to be everything you need, and it does seem really comprehensive. One thing seems to be missing and that's the hardware used to put together and install the gauge assembly. Am I supposed to use the hardware from the old dash? Jim, this is right up your ally, my friend. can you talk me down?

 

[DROPTOP L-89 LS-6]

Reuse the vent,heater, glove lock hardware. The screws that hold the cluster to the housing are the small 1/4 long head ones. The sweep has six you need 7 for the tach cluster . Jim

 

[shadowgray396]

One thing I learn is never get rid of anything untill you are done. There's always something you need from the old stuff to finish the project.

Ray