65 dash bulb replacement

[John C.]

Hey guys, any tips on dash bulb replacement ? I do have a shop manual, but I figure some of you have already been there, done that, and can give a guy a few tips.
JC

[Bill M.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

john

All i can tellyou is they are a pain in the hands to change. be patient and prepare to get some small cuts. i always remove the seat so that i dont have to twist into an S.

Bill

[Mike M.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

cuit two pieces of 1/4" all thread to about 4" each. remove the pair of pan head phillips screws holding cluster to dash(at about 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock). then insert the pair of all thread where the pair of pan heads previously resided. then you can remove the rest of the pan heads, slid the cluster rearward on the all threads. then you'll have better access to the sockets holding the bulbs. i always smear some silicone dielectric grease on the sockets as they are difficult to snap back into the rear of the cluster. its as mentioned earlier, a pain. good luck,mike.

[John C.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Hum. Last year I thought I'd just see how difficult it would be and removed all the screws to se how far away from the dash I could pull the cluster out. What I discovered is the steering column was in the way and at the time, I didn't want to get into all that so I just put it back together. With spring coming, I would like to tackle it again. I was hoping it could be done without removing the column. Removing the seat does sound like a very good idea though .
Thanks fellas,
JC

[Carl N.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Be sure you disconnect the battery as there are some connections on the backside that can short out and cause a fire, remove the seat as suggested, the steering wheel, and all the cables connected to the bottom of the dash, last of all be sure the bulbs are new cause you DON'T wanna do this one twice. I would allow about 4-5 hours to do this if your back is not in good shape and you are overweight like me!

[Joe R.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Hum. Last year I thought I'd just see how difficult it would be and removed all the screws to se how far away from the dash I could pull the cluster out. What I discovered is the steering column was in the way and at the time, I didn't want to get into all that so I just put it back together. With spring coming, I would like to tackle it again. I was hoping it could be done without removing the column. Removing the seat does sound like a very good idea though .
Thanks fellas,
JC

John,

There is a two part article about how to do this by John Hinckley titled C2 Dash Cluster - part 1 & part 2 on this web site under "Gauges and Instruments:"

http://lbfun.com/Corvette/Tech/vettetech.html

Joe

[John D.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Rumor has it that Roy Sinor has been known to change the flashing bulbs (for brake and headlights) just be reaching up without taking anything apart. Now I don't know if this true or not.

[John C.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Great information guys, I'll go for it one day when I'm feeling, well, very relaxed and calm. Sounds like a frustrating job. Thanks for the "battery disconnect" tip. I wouldn't have done that.
JC

[Russ S.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Be sure you have the correct oem or older USA made bulb for the em. brake flasher or it may not flash or will flash at the wrong pace. Chinese crap normally won't work for this one.

[John C.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Holy mackerel, it's out. What a pain in the neck ! Couldn't get to the tach cable, so disconnected it from the distributor and it gave me enough slack to come on out with it. ANy good sources for bulb supplies ? I guess I'll take your advice and replace all of them. Waaaaay to much trouble to do twice.
JC

[Richard L.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Holy mackerel, it's out. What a pain in the neck ! Couldn't get to the tach cable, so disconnected it from the distributor and it gave me enough slack to come on out with it. ANy good sources for bulb supplies ? I guess I'll take your advice and replace all of them. Waaaaay to much trouble to do twice.
JC

Test all bulbs before you install them...

Rick

[John C.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Question for the experts : I couldn't find anything in the shop manual concerning removal of the floor console. It's a 4 speed car and when I try to slide the console backwards and upwards, the side panel clips are hanging on the vertical center piece. Any advice ?
Also, with the dash gauge cluster out , the radio out and the glove box out, how close am I to being where I need to be to remove the dash pads ?

Thankyou,
JC

[John H.]

Re: 65 dash bulb replacement

Question for the experts : I couldn't find anything in the shop manual concerning removal of the floor console. It's a 4 speed car and when I try to slide the console backwards and upwards, the side panel clips are hanging on the vertical center piece. Any advice ?
Also, with the dash gauge cluster out , the radio out and the glove box out, how close am I to being where I need to be to remove the dash pads ?

Thankyou,
JC

John -

You need to remove the radio side panels, then carefully work the console plate out without snagging the clip on each side; you can remove the dash pads from the state the car is in now (although some of the clips at the inboard lower area will be a challenge to get to). It's a lot easier to deal with the dash pads if you remove the fiberglass dash panel from the car first.