C1 - Instrument Panel Re-assembly

[Brad K.]

Can anyone tell me the proper order to re-assemble the two halves of my '59 instrument panel, instruments, wiring, screws and everything else that goes behind it in such a manner that I don't have to dis-assemble it to get to something I forgot? Plus...I don't want to scratch my shiney new paint job! For a first timer, I thought I'd ask before I jumped in with both feet!

So far I've done the dash cover, windshield, wiper transmissions, wiper cables, wiring harness, defroster ducts, firewall insulation and I've got the tach and speedo cables sticking through the holes.

Thanks for the hints!
Brad

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 - Instrument Panel Re-assembly

Put the upper and lower halves together after you have assembled the cigarette lighter housing to the lower half. Then add the tach (has to be in before the speedo can go on) then the two gauge clusters. Leave the one lower speedo screw loose, because the ground wire needs to go to that after it's up in place. Don't tighten the upper speedo nut too tight--that's why you see the indents in the tops of the clusters on many cars.
Have your wiring under/over the steering column as appropriate--along with the hood pull cables in the right locations/clips, etc.
As you set the cluster into the hole, no matter what you have done, it will fit very tightly and the holes on the underside will not line up. Don't force it by yourself--and as you or your assistant pushes, be careful. There are many housings at swap meets and on ebay with the tabs from the upper broken off--this is how it happened!
As you push it back, make sure that the one cable isn't caught behind the one leg of the upper cluster--it wants to do that, but will cause major problems.
I've used a tapered drift to help pull it in on the bottom while someone pushes from above--and then start the bolt in the hole next to the one in which I have the drift.
Once those are in place, then then connect the wiring, the iginition switch and headlight switch and wiring, attach the oil line to the back of the gauge, then put the cowl vent mechanism back in, and attach the speedo and tach cables.
Regarding the bell that houses the turn signal--I've tried installing the cluster with that already on the column and have scratched the bell. I've also tried it with putting the bell on later and then scratching the column while trying to get tight that infernal screw that goes into the tapered block inside the cup.
Narrow but long hands, a flexible shaft nut driver for attaching the wiring nuts to the backs of the gauges, a willing helper, and an extensive vocabulary of 4-letter words are prerequisites for getting the job done. Have fun!!
Mike

[Larry P.]

[Larry P.]

And take the seats out and use some padding *NM*

[Dennis A.]

Re: C1 - Instrument Panel Re-assembly

Mike...

Your response is a very good write-up...

Would like to add, I used a universal joint, wrapped in tape for the wiring nuts & under the dash pad until a flexible shaft nut driver was mentioned. What an improvement it made...Also Dennis Clark made me laugh about laying on your back under the dash and have nuts,tools and all fall and hit your glasses...thats what the 4-letter words are for.

[David Lyon]

Re: C1 - Instrument Panel Re-assembly

Been there, done that. If you don't wear glasses, put on a pair of safety glasses, but you'll still use expletives.

David

[Mike E.]

Re: C1 - Instrument Panel Re-assembly

Pastors, like myself, of course, don't know four letter words, but we've heard other people use them!?!?!?