Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

[Dick G.]

Happy Easter
I am installing my dash pad in my 1960 corvette. Slow but sure t*******.
I need a picture/description of how the excess pad/vinyl was trimmed below the gauge cluster. It woulld also be helpful if someone had a picture of their installed dash ready for the reassembly of all parts.

Also, the fit around my gauge cluster is very snug. I have removed a little of the foam here and there trying to free her up a little bit. The right corner of the cluster is leaving an impression in the pad when removed.
Thanks
DG

[Dennis C.]

Re: Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

Dick,

You are going to need to remove as much of the foam behind the gauge cluster as you can. This includes the lower edge that would prevent the cluster from going up tight to the top of the dash. You can judge this be trying to start the bolts that hold the cluster in.

Another area where you need to remove most of the foam is behind the aluminum insert at the grab bar.

proceed nice and slow, really take your time.

Good luck!

Dennis

[Thomas H.]

Re: Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

Dick,

I did the dash pad in my 60 about 2 years ago now. I took my time and there are a few things I would do differently if I ever do one again.

I have a bunch of pictures posted here. Maybe some will help............

http://s21.photobucket.com/user/tmh454/library/1960/1960%20dashpad?page=1

Tom

[Dick G.]

Re: Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

Tom
I am having difficulty getting the chrome endcaps to fit over the bar once attached to the end brackets. Did you have to remove the foam for it to fit. Even without the endbracket, the padded bar is too fat for the chrome endcaps to slide onto this bar. Did you have this problem also or do I simply have a Lemon.
Thanks
DG

[Dennis C.]

Re: Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

I recall from installing my grab bar the end caps were very difficult to slide over the end. I did finally manage to install them, but my fingers were sore afterwards.

Dennis

[Thomas H.]

Re: Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

Dick

My original grab bar and end caps were in real nice shape so I reused them and they installed easily. I did need to remove some foam around the insert to get things to fit without much force. I have heard that the repop grab bars have thicker padding and are difficult to install.

I probably spent the better part of a weekend just removing foam and fitting everything. I think it came out pretty weel, but there are a few spots along the windshield where I removed too much foam and when you look real hard, you can see it is uneven. Nobody but me really notices............

Good luck.

Tom

[Dick G.]

Re: Installing 60 Dash Pad Picture??

Thanks for the replies.
Pondering what to with this grab bar's oversize. From the very start, I had to trim some foam over and over again just to begin to get the chrome endcap onto the bar. I think I'll try to compress the ends of this bar using c-clamps. I'll use metal plates to spread the load equally and to prevent indentations. All this sounds OK as long as the foam regains it's shape.
Maybe its time to ship this bar back and try a different vendor.

Thanks