C3 - Restore Center Console, Guages, Fiber Optics

[Andrew Johnson]

I am in the process of getting a C3 ready for daily use. It is in decent shape but I need some suggestions on some kinks.

1. Tore into the center console this past weekend to rebuild the clock and found out that the original owner had jerry rigged the A/C panel in place and that the supporting guts and plates had all been faked into place.

I am going to be replacing a 1979 Sears radio with a Custom Autosound system and while I have the dash apart (this coming weekend) I would like to fix the brackets and supporting plates for the A/C.

2. Should you be able to replace the radio without moving the center console? It didn't seem possible to me to move just the gauge bezel without moving the center console when I tore out my clock this weekend.

3. Not all of my fiber optics working correctly. I think the six top row fiber optic lights are working correctly but my back right and plate light stopped working when I put things back together this weekend.

4. I need a good manual that gives details of the guts on these things. I have the shop manual for Corvette, Nova, etc. But it doesn't seem to show specifics for things like mounting the center consoles and fiber optics.

5. Also, I want to get my mechanical clocks guts restored so I can put it back in one day. Where can I get this done?

Regards,

Andrew

[Jack H.]

Re: C3 - Restore Center Console, Guages, Fiber Opt

Terminology has me a bit confused. There's the center instrument cluster (clock and radio live here) and the shifter console (Heater/AC controls live here along with fiberoptic displays).

If it's the vent portion of the A/C that's 'botched' at the top of the center cluster, you'll need to get correct parts (still available in various catalogs including Dr. Rebuild).

The shifter console on these cars was notorious for plastic tabs fracturing and breaking off that hold the center plate to the console's soft trim. Several catalog houses sell 'rebuild' kits that provide glue-on/screw-on aluminum pieces to reinforce or replace broken plastic.

Chassis Service manual tells you the center cluster HAS to be freed to get the radio in/out.... It's a TIGHT fit and even tighter on A/C equipped cars!

A number of folks will rebuild your clock OR you can do it yourself with either a quartz conversion kit or a mechanical replacement mechanism (available from a number of catalog houses like Corvette Central, Mid America, Etc.).

Fiberoptics can 'quit' because the light pipe has fallen out of the display jewel (a simple slip fit) that mounts below the shifter console. Original display jewels are clear plastic and beginning to show their age by fatigue fracturing and failing to tightly grip the display end of the light pipe(s)....

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 - Restore Center Console, Guages, Fiber Opt

Andrew, if you haven't already removed the center instrument cluster panel, be advised: DO NOT USE THIN TOP BAR FOR A HANDHOLD. This part is very fragile in this area, and is easily broken. If you have to discover how much they cost and how hard originals are to find, you will be an unhappy camper.

"the original owner had jerry rigged the A/C panel in place and that the supporting guts and plates had all been faked into place...I would like to fix the brackets and supporting plates for the A/C.

"I need a good manual that gives details of the guts on these things. I have the shop manual for Corvette, Nova, etc. But it doesn't seem to show specifics for things like mounting the center consoles and fiber optics."

A better reference for this kind of reconstruction is the Assembly Instruction Manual (AIM). It illustrates every part built into your Corvette by part number, and will be a good reference for identifying those missing parts. You can buy it on the NCRS Store (see link tab at top of page), but you won't receive it for this weekend.

Once you discover what the original part number was, it is likely that the part has been discontinued and your Mr. Goodwrench parts guy will be totally in the dark about the part number. As Jack said, the best alternative is probably going to be Dr. Rebuild...his catalog illustrations may show the part and how it fits into the car. You could Dr. Rebuild's catalog first without the AIM, but not everything is illustrated in the catalog.




Doc Rebuild Catalog