1968 Time Capsule

[Jeff P.]

As I continue to tear down my 68,I took off the dash and to my surprise between the tack and speedo was a build sheet. How cool is that!

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

As I continue to tear down my 68,I took off the dash and to my surprise between the tack and speedo was a build sheet. How cool is that!

Congratulations. Go buy a lottery ticker.

[Jack C.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Nice find.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Guess I need to check my 69', Jeff how do you get the dash pad off ? Congratulations !

Richard

[George C.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Jackpot ! Nice find. Who's the original dealer ?

[Daniel S.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Congrats on your find!

[Patrick N.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Awesome find! I'm jealous.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Well Richard the passenger dash portion is sort of easy. Remove all screws and it will come right off. Then you can assess and see what will be involved if you feel like continuing .

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Guess I need to check my 69', Jeff how do you get the dash pad off ? Congratulations !

Richard

I am pretty sure there is a step-by-step in the 1969 Chevrolet Chassis Service Manual. However there are a few things that are not in mentioned there.

Remove the six screws in the dash panels (3 on DS & 3 on PS)
Remove Passenger side dash panel -- the one with the pocket in it. Keep track of which holes the screws from the center instrument panel come out of. If you put the wrong one in the wrong hole you risk puncturing the dash pad.

With the passenger side dash pad out you can see the hidden bolt that attaches a bracket from the upper dash pad to the firewall. Remove that bolt -- you can see it in the AIM as well, but the Chassis Service Manual doesn't mention it as I remember.

The next part is the real trick. When the upper dash pad was new it could be flexed enough to take it out with the window side trim in place, but if it is the original or has been in there for a decade or two it may be too brittle to flex without cracking. If you don't want to risk that, you will have to remove the windshield interior trim. That starts at the rear view mirror and works across the top and around and down the sides. The AIM is invaluable to find where the screws for this trim are hidden. With the windshield side trim out (you may only need one side, but you still have to start at the rear view mirror) the upper dash pad should come right out and you will be able to see the paperwork (if any) between the speedometer and tachometer.

If all this sounds confusing, I am pretty sure this is not the first post about this (someone else may be more lucid than I am), and the AIM will show you drawings of some of this that will help make it clearer. Be careful and go slowly.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Thanks Jeff and Terry

[Tom H.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

That is so cool ! I've always heard about finding them there but never have ever found one there myself.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Would it be visible from below, or only after removing the dash pad?

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Would it be visible from below, or only after removing the dash pad?

Rich

I have heard reports of them being visible from below, but it is gosh awful crowded up there and visibility is limited, lighting is poor and the position from below is awkward. It also depends on how much care the line worker used in putting it there.

[Rich G.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Terry

Thanks. I have looked from below and couldn't see much and assume there is nothing there, however the OP gave me some hope. I don't think I'll be taking anything apart, though. That will be something the next owner can attempt :-).

Rich

[Terry M.]

Re: 1968 Time Capsule

Terry

Thanks. I have looked from below and couldn't see much and assume there is nothing there, however the OP gave me some hope. I don't think I'll be taking anything apart, though. That will be something the next owner can attempt :-).

Rich

I have done it a few times on my 1970 (it does get easier each time), but not just to look for a piece of paper -- I had other more serious reasons to go there. There was no paper in mine, and based on info from others it is not usual to find what Jeff found. That is why I urged him to buy a lottery ticket.