60 dash pad

[Thomas H.]

I'm embarking on removing the windshield frame on Friday to replace the dash pad on the 60.

Looking for tips, tricks or words of wisdom from those that have been there, done that.

Thanks
Tom

[William L.]

Re: 60 dash pad

Take your time, remove the front seats, get a 1/4" socket set w/flex drive extension, a good florescent treble light, and pop a few Advils after a few hours.

When reinstalling the Windshield, don't tighten the bolts down too tight or you will break the new glass.

[Al R.]

Re: 60 dash pad

Tom, not sure the exact question, but, when re-installing the pad, try dry-fitting the pad prior to ever applying any glue. After you are sure everything lines up, apply glue to the dash and pad. I used small sticks to keep the pad from sticking to the dash until it was pushed back fully into placed. Then pulled the sticks out 1 by 1 and then press down on the pad for glue bond. Sounds simple right? Wrong. I can't stress patience and trial fitting and t******* enough. I would definitely check the archieves for previous articles. It can be done successfully if you are careful. There are no sure-fire shortcuts that I know of.

[Joe M.]

Re: 60 dash pad

Make sure you have a long enough slit cut for the grab bar bracket, the bracket closet to the rearview mirror. I did not have the slit long enough and when I place the dash pad in place, a small split developed. Make sure you leave enough of the pad in front to fit under the windshield. If you don't, it will shrink and pull back away from the windshield leaving a gap. If I recall from 7 years ago, I used very little adhesive as there are plenty of items that hold the pad in place. Areas above the kick panel, I did use adhesive to hold the vertical surfaces in place. Not sure if the current repro pads come with the hole cut out for the soft top motor switch, but if not, it is easy to cut a keyhole slot in the pad with a sharp xacto knife, back from the courtesy light cutout. You will need to remove the instrument cluster or at least disconnect and slide forward. If you choose to slide it forward, protect the steering column paint with a towel and tape it in place. When in doubt trim too little, test the fit and trim more if needed. DO NOT rush the fit process. Good luck. There is a good How To article on the NCRS disc, if you have one.

[Jerry P.]

Re: 60 dash pad

try this link http://rarecorvettes.com/RARE/HowTo.html all you need to know jerry

[Thomas H.]

Re: 60 dash pad

Thanks for all of the replies. I'll be sure to take my time I don't want to mess this up.

I'll post some pictures of before and after (if the after comes out good)

Tom

[Stephen R.]

Re: 60 dash pad

Make sure you buy a replacement pad that fits. I bought one from a vender who's supplier was Romeo Eng. That pad never fit. The curve at the dash insert was too sharp and the pad was about an inch short.

I agree with using very little glue. I glued the pad under the windshield (by the way, do not trim any of the material that goes under the windshield, because the windshield holds the pad in place....if needed, heat the pad a little and stretch it to get it to fit in the grove). I applied some glue in the areas under the insert, the gauge cluster and around the speaker hole (mine's a 59, it doesn't have a bezel). Seemed to me that the pad was held in place fairly well with all of the other parts that glue was not necessary.

When I did mine about two years ago. I got under the dash and started removing the nuts. Discovered that the windshield was held on with the two big bolts at the corners and two small bolts under the cowl vent. That was it. 35 years driving it that way. So when I replaced the windshield I replaced all of the nuts. Tightened up the large corner bolts and snugged down the other smaller ones. If you set the windshield correctly, I don't think you need to really crank down on the smaller one.

[Joe M.]

Re: 60 dash pad

After removing the windshield assembly, check to see if the windshield side posts are cracked. Also a good time to rechrome the side posts if they need it.

[Jorn J.]

Re: 60 dash pad

Hi
Paragon has a couple of small videos on YouTube which shows what you need, just search "Dash Pad Paragon".
When I install my Dash i follow this video and it become super

Regards Jorn