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Showing posts with label dashboard. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dashboard. Show all posts

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Dash and Dash Pads

The dash is made up of three components, the center section (shown) and two dash pads often called eyebrows.  Our pieces are brittle, cracked, damaged and in need of TLC.  The center section is a fiberglass frame covered with vinyl.  It will be recovered with new molded vinyl.  


   Most of the dash was brittle but some places were still soft. 


The center section has two metal pieces.  These were removed, painted and re-installed.


The worse part of the entire process was trying to remove the old covering.  I tried a pick, screwdriver, Exacto knife, needle gun and other utensils.  The pick worked well but was very slow.


The best tool ultimately was the Fien Multi-Master fitted with a flat blade.



There were several areas that needed minor fiberglass repair. 


 My dual action sander was the last step.  The total process took about 4 hours. 


I chose this contact cement to bond the new cover to the fiberglass frame.


The cover was glued down one section at a time.  Clamps were used on all the edges.


 The results look like new and I couldn't be happier.



The dash pads were replaced, not recovered.  After 50 years in the sun the foam cores have turned brittle making the pads pretty much worthless.  The new pads, however, on a per pound basis, are the most expensive item purchased to date.  These were $1250 for the pair.




The dash and dash pads look awesome!


Installation has already begun.  More on that will follow.

As always, thanks for watching.

Sunday, March 10, 2013

On the Key

Electrical work continues.  The starter, alternator, courtesy light switches, voltage regulator and horn relay (shown) have been hooked up and/or installed.


I've been waiting for this adaptor for the last 3 weeks.  It connects a new Flaming River tilt wheel to our new wiring harness.  It comes complete with everything required including the Emergency Flasher.  Lectric Limited did a great job on this adapter, a far better solution than Flaming Rivers recommendation to cut and splice.


I am anxious to test the dash cluster but in order to connect the wires I had to fabricate these sliders.  The next photo shows the function. 


 The dash is temporarily installed with my fabricated rods attached. 


The rods are slid into the dash cluster screw holes.  This allows the cluster to be installed while allowing room to connect the wiring.  


I found the best way to get your hands behind the dash is to lay on your back with your feet stretching into the luggage compartment.  I could not have done it any other way.

So, what did I get accomplished?  Check out the video link below to find out:



Minutes ago I published another posting on coil springs and carpet.  Be sure to check it out.