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Necoa #: 11645
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 54
Year: 1981
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:11 am Post subject: Dash pad R&R
I'm pulling the dash in my 81 for the first time. I went looking for an El Camino chiltons manual, but the best I could do was a Chiltons manual for a Monte. Not very specific or helpful. I searched 'dash pad' without much success, however the sticky under the topic 'electrical' there was a 25 step procedure for gauge pod R&R. Seems complicated for a novice. I find that I'm pretty good at taking things apart, but getting them back together still needs some work. Any resources or tips out there in El Camino land?
follow this link and then there is another one down in the thread you can follow for more info. _________________ 84 Elky with 455 Buick, Tremec TKO600 5 speed, 8.5 3:42 posi -
My Members Page Album
Another 3 to 9 years should finish it.
Necoa #: 11645
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 54
Year: 1981
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:18 am Post subject:
OK, the dash is loose everywhere, bot it still won't come out. There is a support at the steering column that is riveted to the dash. This support appears to be sandwitched between 2 other pieces of sheet metal of a similar half circle shape. The upper piece of these 2 has 2 captive bolts that the steering column is secured to, then the dash supports, with a third piece below that. Let me go get a pic and I will post it up
Necoa #: 11645
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 54
Year: 1981
Model: El Camino
Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:
Those bolts are welded in, so I can't drive them up so the middle piece can slip out. Hey, how do I post a pic on this site? I don't see an attatchment button.
Yes, the bracket that is riveted to the dash pad and "sandwiched" by the steering column supprt and dash support bracket will need to slip out.
There should be 2 nuts (one on each side of the column) that you can loosen from the bottom. You don't need to pull them off completely, just back them out quite a way. Then you'll have to pull on the dash a bit and wiggle it out. You can use a prybar to help spread the upper and lower clamping brackets, just be careful not to rip the bracket off the dash pad or bend the other brackets.
When it's time to put it back together, make sure you get the bracket fully inserted back in place, and watch your harness wiring and radio antenna routing. It's real easy to pinch some of the wires. _________________
1981 Chevy El Camino
1991 Chevy S10
"The only thing collecting dust in my garage... is my broom"
Necoa #: 11645
Location: 13(TX)
Joined: May 04, 2008
Posts: 54
Year: 1981
Model: El Camino
Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:53 pm Post subject:
So the "sandwiched" bracket has slots instead of holes? Never had one out before and as noted already the bolts are tacked into place so I can't pull them unless I cut the tack first.
Yes, they are slotted holes (sorry, should have included that). _________________
1981 Chevy El Camino
1991 Chevy S10
"The only thing collecting dust in my garage... is my broom"
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