Remove DashBoard

BennyVilla · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject: Remove DashBoard

Anyone know what screws i need to remove to ge tthe dash out ? I dont want to bend or break what I already have, I bought the dash cover which glues right on but I would rather take it out and glue it then to leave it in the car and glue it. any ideas ? has anyone installed a dash cover without taking the dash out ? and if so what should I be looking out for when doing this ? Should I just leave it in and add the cover ?
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Benny Villa

BennyVilla · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:03 pm Post subject: by the way

by the way I have a 1981 sorry forgot to mention.
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Benny Villa

hemi57 · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 8:55 pm Post subject:

Benny, firstly let me say that I have a '75 and I have never fitted a dash cap, I have however stripped my El Camino back to the firewall by removing the whole dash.

On mine there is no specific way to explain how to approach the removal other than to state how to do it in concept.

Remove the instrument cluster assembly
Remove all/any airconditioning ducts
Remove the plastic interior moldings which go around the front of the door openings
Remove all screws, nuts or bolts that retain the dash to the body (on the 4 gen there are two bolts from the steering column mount into the back of the dash which are pigs to get to and very difficult to remove)
Drop the steering column to give yourself clearance
Make sure all wiring clamps, attachments, brackets are freed from the dash
Lift out

Hang in there and I am sure another member who is familiar with the 5th gen will chime in with what to watch out for specific to those
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John (from Down Under)

'75 El Camino Classic ("EARLE")

464elky · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject:

Here is a post from last year on the subject for 5th gens.

Here

This should help.
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84 Elky with 455 Buick, Tremec TKO600 5 speed, 8.5 3:42 posi -
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Another 3 to 9 years should finish it.

BennyVilla · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:20 pm Post subject: Thanks for the help guys !

hey thanks guys, i started removing everything and once i removed the speedo cable and removed the cluster it seemed easier to just fit the cover at this point, I took the cover and it fits perfect, just need to clean, glue and i'm done. I think it is easier to just remove all the inner components and Sc ducts as well as the cluster to do this. Removing the whole dash I think would be too much work and not really neccesary.

Thanks guys. I have more to do tomorrow.

Hey also i have not been able to find the exterior trim for my 81 el camino. (all the metal parts that go around the windows and well the whole car really)

Any ideas of where to look ? Also I have no tow yards around here to go fishing for it.
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Benny Villa

elcamino74guy · Posted: Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

When I have to pull my dash pad on my 4th gen I have to pull out about a dozen screws.

4 in the back of the defroster vents by the window
about 6 in the top of the glove box
2 in the top of the ashtray area
4 in the top of the instrument panel bezel
2 on either side of the pad's "ears" that face the door.

The ones near the glove box can be a pain since a couple of them are kind of hard to get to and you have to feel for them behind the dash.

Very Happy

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74 El Camino Classic - project car #1
96 Camaro - RIP, Traded 10-16-2007

2008 Mustang GT, It ain't a Chevy but at least it's American!