67 instrument panel removal

[John S.]

Can any one give me advice on the best way to remove the instrument panel on my 67? Tach is not reading correctly so needs to go to repair shop, needle bounce and erratic readings. Have never taken one out, so any advice is appreciated.

[Paul J.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

Can any one give me advice on the best way to remove the instrument panel on my 67? Tach is not reading correctly so needs to go to repair shop, needle bounce and erratic readings. Have never taken one out, so any advice is appreciated.

John, some people like to remove the screws and then replace four of them with very long screws. This allows them to pull the cluster out and unplug everything behind it. I stack blocks or (boxes) in the floorboard and let the cluster sit on that while I pull the plugs. As Don says, there are many threads on this. Paul

[John S.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

Does one need to just unbolt and drop the steering column? Not remove wheel?

[John H.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

Can any one give me advice on the best way to remove the instrument panel on my 67? Tach is not reading correctly so needs to go to repair shop, needle bounce and erratic readings. Have never taken one out, so any advice is appreciated.

John -

This link will take you to my article on midyear cluster removal:

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...ster%20pt1.pdf

This one will take you to my article on installation:

http://www.lbfun.com/warehouse/tech_...ster%20pt2.pdf

[John S.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

John, Thanks that is a great guide. John

[Bill M.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

before you do all of the work to remove tac check the gear at the distributer. i have gon through a few of those over the years. bought new from long island vettes

[Tim E.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

John has a diagram similar to this in part 2 of his article. A printed copy of this picture will also be helpful! Tim

C2ClusterLampLocations.pdf

[John S.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

Tim, Great help for reassembly, especially if the tape labels fall off! thanks,John

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

John,

I would second what Bill says above, about checking the tach gear at the distributor. Check both the tach gear, the gear on the distributor shaft and the tach cable, before you pull the cluster and check the tachometer. If your erratic tach readings showed up suddenly, the problem is probably one of the three items above rather that the tachometer itself.

But if you have to pull the instrument cluster, it can be done without removing the steering column. On a 67, you have to loosen the column mounts and drop the steering down 1/4" to 3/8", so that you can slide the column collar up the shaft and away from the cluster. I've done it on my 67 a couple of times this way. It is a little tougher than without the column in place.

If you remove the cluster, make sure you draw a diagram and tag each connection to the back. Take plenty of pictures of the wires and routing of the wires and cables. Also see the Cluster Lamp Locations photo posted below.

Also, removing the drivers seat makes it a lot easier working under the cluster.
Have fun,

[John S.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

I got the cluster out in an couple hours, steering and front seat too. Marked all with tags/tape. Sent the unit off the D & M. Car is fresh resto, so not miles on it. Tach is too erratic for dist drive issue I think. Had needle bounce and erratic readings, would not register over about 3000 rpm when on power, if more power it just read lower. Appreciate all the help and pictures, made the job easy.

[Gerard F.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

John,

D & M did my speedo and tach about 10 years ago. They did a beautiful job and with a fast turn around.

Let us know how yours turns out

[Jim T.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

I got the cluster out in an couple hours, steering and front seat too. Marked all with tags/tape. Sent the unit off the D & M. Car is fresh resto, so not miles on it. Tach is too erratic for dist drive issue I think. Had needle bounce and erratic readings, would not register over about 3000 rpm when on power, if more power it just read lower. Appreciate all the help and pictures, made the job easy.

John since you seem to do things yourself, while you have the tack cable disconnected from the tack it will be easy to remove the cable and lubricate it. The tack gear is easy enough to remove and inspect and lubricate with grease to ensure longevity.

[John S.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

All lubed up already, this is a fresh resto with maybe 50 miles on it, just some deducts to correct and a few glitches too. Thanks.

[Ron H.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

John: When you have the cluster out, I recommend lengthening some of the bulb wires. The factory ones are really short. When reassembling mine, one of the upper bulbs pulled out and there is no way to reach it to get it plugged back in without removing the cluster again. Your call!

[John S.]

Re: 67 instrument panel removal

Ron, By following the great pictures and instructions from John Hinckley, using the bolts/rods as support to get the cluster out a bit mine went really easy. Now out for redo, but will see on reinstall. I think it will work ok as the wires seemed ok in removal. Just pulled it out enough to get at everything and all seemed long enough, one at a time and no rush should be good!