[wiredawg]

Gents.... Been working on this project for almost 2 years now (unfortunately). As bad as I want to get back on the road and enjoy it I'm also raising three little boys (6,7, and 9) and I don't want to miss out on these fun ages. Anyway, I'm in the midst of swapping over from the sweep dash to the SS style dash in my 71 and I think I'm about ready to install the dash. I have all the vents, radio, ash tray, glove box, switches and wiring done and thought I'd take a couple pics and see if you guys spot any concerns before I install it. It's a full gauges cluster, setup for AC, stereo radio with 2 rear speakers. I think I have the grounds setup correctly (1 to the cluster, 1 to the dash frame (with the ground to the wiper switch), and 1 waiting to attach to the parking brake frame). Take a peek and let me know if you spot anything of concern or even throw out any things to watch out for as I proceed.

Thanks for your help in advance.

Pat

 

[Coppertop]

Hi Pat,

Looks good but here are some suggestions/info:

I personally would not have the radio installed when you go to install the dash. The extra weight in the middle doesn't do the dash or you any favors.

You do know there is no such thing as a stereo radio with only two speakers right? You do have rear speakers installed?

Grounds look good. As an added precaution, you could add a star washer behind this trouble spot to ensure the printed circuit has a good chassis ground connection:

 

[wiredawg]

Joe.. Thanks for chiming in. I was on the fence with having the radio in during installation as I know these dash's are flimsy. I'll pop it out. As for the speakers, yeah, I have the original 2 front and am adding two rear speakers. Good idea on the star washer, that's an easy one to help ensure things are good. Thanks again.

 

[Va72Chevelle]

Stereo doesn't work with only 2 speakers? I thought that was sort of the definition of stereo, having two speakers.

 

[Coppertop]

Stereo doesn't work with only 2 speakers? I thought that was sort of the definition of stereo, having two speakers.

Steve,

I think you're confusing 'channels' with 'speakers'. Stereo reproduction requires a left and right channel.

The stock stereo equipment requires (4) speakers, no exceptions. One channel (the left) is output on the front left speaker and the right rear speaker. The other channel (the right) is output on the right front and left rear speaker.

Failure to connect the correct (and all) the loads will result in damage to the audio output circuitry in the factory radios.

:beers:

 

[Va72Chevelle]

Pat: can you send me a picture or tell me where you mounted the key buzzer onto the dash frame? Thanks

 

[wiredawg]

The key buzzer is part of the horn relay and mounted on the radiator support. Are you referring to the light blue cylinder shaped item in the picture with the pink and purple wires going to it? If so that is the directional signal flasher and mounts with a screw and bracket to the top of the pedal assembly. I can dig up a picture of this if that's what you're referring to.

 

[wiredawg]

Not the best pictures but had these 2 handy. The first one shows the Phillips screws at the top right corner of the pedal assembly. That screw goes through the pedal assembly and into a large clip/bracket on the top. This is how it would look from underneath. The second picture is from the top of the pedal assembly and shows that clip bracket holding the directional flasher.

If you have the assembly manual (For a 71) its page 345 Sheet 12C-5.

 

[wiredawg]

I wish I had showed you guys a picture of the front of the dash before I installed it. Somehow I managed to miss that the brake light warning lens was not installed. Just noticed it the other day and of course the whole dash and all the wiring is completely installed. I don't think there's any way of getting in there without completely removing the dash and cluster...

 

[Coppertop]

Pat: can you send me a picture or tell me where you mounted the key buzzer onto the dash frame? Thanks

Steve,

'70 Chevelles do not have under-dash key warning buzzers. This begin in the 1972 model year.

 

[Coppertop]

I wish I had showed you guys a picture of the front of the dash before I installed it. Somehow I managed to miss that the brake light warning lens was not installed. Just noticed it the other day and of course the whole dash and all the wiring is completely installed. I don't think there's any way of getting in there without completely removing the dash and cluster...

Here's a thought.........

Get a reproduction "BRAKE" lens (one that you don't mind sacrificing). Cut it down to size it *just* slides into the opening in the dash (from the front obviously). Use some masking tape stuck to the front of the lens as a holder to anchor it to the proper depth. Make sure the tape isn't that sticky so when go to remove it, you don't rip out your work..... Then use some black RTV silicone and a dental pic and carefully apply small barely visible dabs around the circumference to hold it in place.

OR pull the dash and install properly...........

 

[Va72Chevelle]

Sorry, it wasn't the key buzzer but rather the TCS relay. Where does that mount to the dash frame?

And since my car doesn't utilize the TCS, do I need to have the relay connected to the harness, or does not connecting it screw something else up?

 

[Coppertop]

Sorry, it wasn't the key buzzer but rather the TCS relay. Where does that mount to the dash frame?

And since my car doesn't utilize the TCS, do I need to have the relay connected to the harness, or does not connecting it screw something else up?

If you are not going to have the underhood components for the TCS (the little solenoid to allow/deny full vacuum to distributor), then there is no need to even worry about the TCS relay assemblies. Just let it dangle unconnected.

Now if this is a 1000 point diamond class show car and you DO have all of the components in place and actually connected, that is another story....

 

[Slick71ss]

Steve,

I think you're confusing 'channels' with 'speakers'. Stereo reproduction requires a left and right channel.

The stock stereo equipment requires (4) speakers, no exceptions. One channel (the left) is output on the front left speaker and the right rear speaker. The other channel (the right) is output on the right front and left rear speaker.

Failure to connect the correct (and all) the loads will result in damage to the audio output circuitry in the factory radios.

:beers:

That sounds like an audiophile's nightmare! Why did they cross channels like that?