Teddy,
It's not really as tough as it seems (and no, I'm not some 5' guy
with micro hands either!) I've successfully swapped out the dash on my
'68 2000 with no hassles and currently have a '68/'69 1600 that I have
the dash completely out of. If you intend to drive or start the car,
you'll want to leave that oil sender line connected to the guage, or
remove the gauge and let it hang... I found out the hard way about the
sender line and just how much oil it can pump when the car is at idle...
Wiring isn't going to be a problem for you, assuming you are swapping a
'69 dash for a '69 dash... if the guages look good and work, then I'd go
that route. If it's a '68 dash, I know there are some different
connections for the '68 wiring harness. You could probably leave all
those instruments connected to, but it is kind of a pain to attach them
to the dash that way... lots of under dash/on the back time for that..
What I did with my old cracked '68 2000 dash was "borrow" a '69 1600
dash, removed all instruments except the clock, painted the "interior"
of the '69 dash with Rustoleum, then put all my 2000's instruments in
there, and put it back in my 2000. the hardest part had to be
reconnecting all those electricals, but somehow I was able to get the
job done, start to finish in 3 hours.
Good luck! If you need more help, it'll cost ya some hotcakes! ;)
Eric
WyCROC
Teddy Seidenfeld wrote:
>
> Dear Friends,
>
> I'd like to change my old (cracked) high windshield dash for one that I've
> salvaged from my parts car.
>
> I have the entire replacment dash, including dash wiring harness, intact
> and undamaged.
>
> I believe that I can remove the top screws on the old dash without taking
> out the windshield, that's not my problem.
>
> My question is what parts of the existing (old) dash circuitry and gauges
> can I leave in place while swapping dashes?
>
> Everything electrical/mechanical currently works on my dash -- I'm looking
> to swap the dash housing only, if that is at all possible.
>
> Specifically, is it a "must" to remove the old (functioning) wiring
> harness, as well, when I take off the old dash? It seems like a lot of
> additional work to rewire the dash harness through to the engine
> compartment -- on both sides! Or, can I leave the old wiring harness in
> place and reattach its connections to the back of the "new" dash?
>
> Last, in this vein, do I have to remove the one combination gauge that
> includes the oil pressure, i.e., do I have to get to that pipe fitting
> hiding back near the firewall?
>
> I checked the archives and can't find helpful advice on how to manage the
> swap, except for one old note from Tom W, which I'll paraphrase as,
> "Drop it off with Les, along with your credit card"!
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Teddy
> 69 2000
> Pgh PA
> OROC
|