...anybody have a creative way(s) to remove our nonfunctional dash clock w/o having to take out the radio?? I've been up under there a number of times this week but have done nothing but come away frustrated. I don't think there's an easy answer to this one but any thoughts would be appreciated...
I did it last year on the 67 GP. It was definitely an exercise of patience. It was worth the effort as the clock has been working since. I had tried several methods over a few days, in the end a small 1/4 ratchet with 3" extension and an angle/swivel. That probably isnt much help, but if you really dont want to pull the dash, or even the radio, get a mirror up in there and light it up well, the options will present themselves. A well placed mirror(s) and light made the difference for me. Putting it back in was harder than getting it out, I had to tape the small screw to the tip of my finger just enough to hold it in place until I could get it started and pull my hand away leaving the screw barely started. (magnetic socket would have helped).
I recently finished the dash on the Beaumont, and pulling the entire dash is definitely the best way to fix or change a clock (IMO). It sounds like too much work, and more opportunities for something to go wrong, but it really isnt (on my car). Having said that, I would still do it from underneath, just so I could still drive the car if I didnt finish for a while. Both clocks now work great, just needed the contacts cleaned and a little clock lube. (disconnect battery......even if the clock is disconnected, the female end is live). I'm no expert, but have done it twice in the last year. If large hands is an issue, a woman or child might be able to make quick work of it. Good luck!
It's easier to take the dash "top" off!! Remove the lt. & rt. pillar trim pcs. then remove the screws that hold top on [underside of dash pointing up thru chrome trim]theres about 6 or 8 of them. lift & pull top pc. towards you & you can get at clock, all your dash bulbs etc. OH if your clocks not working remove it,spray some WD40 in thru the light holes, flip it face up for about 10min, then hook it back up to pwr. source & ground. did mine in 64, 8 yrs. ago still running + a few other clocks in brand X. You may have to 'snap" the stem to get it started
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
You will probably have to take the radio out then use the 1/4 drive as mentioned above. With the clock out pull cover off and take a look at the points (64 had them on beaumonts). If pitted, take a point file and file smooth, sometimes this will work. hook up and test.
...Pete, I just looked and I think I'm going to take the dash top off, but I was wondering, when you pull the top off and away from the defrost vents, is it easy to get the dash top back on over those vents? Do they slide into a piece on the dash top or does the dash top just slide back into place over them and kind of mate up? And can you literally just spray a lube like WD40 right into the clock and it won't hurt it? (...guess so if you did it and the clock's still running...). Thanks for the adv. as I'm about to 'do the deed'..it was such a bitch getting the rearview mirror back into place after taking it off to polish it that I'm a little skittish about pulling all that dash stuff off...btw, if you saw one of my other posts, AUTOSOL is the best chrome polish out there. I had one rusty, crusty mirror ( thought I'd have to replace it..) and it's made it like new again... absolutely amazing stuff..
My dash just had 2 pins sticking out to wiper area,possibly where the speed nuts should have been, dash has never been out of car that I know of or if it was they didn't put them on. No sign of ever having nuts on them!!!! I would try taking it out 1st before getting into the cowl grille!!!! Make sure you put clock "FACE UP" so the WD doesn't all run into the face & stain it.Give it a good shot of it,I've done this to my buddy's 57 chevy,sedan del. & his 56 Monarch 2dr. htp. & another friend's 62 Bonniville convert.
-- Edited by dualquadpete on Friday 25th of March 2011 06:12:53 AM
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Some times I wake up GRUMPY, but today I let her sleep in !!!!!!!!BLACKSTOCK Ont.
My dash just had 2 pins sticking out to wiper area,possibly where the speed nuts should have been, dash has never been out of car that I know of or if it was they didn't put them on. No sign of ever having nuts on them!!!! I would try taking it out 1st before getting into the cowl grille!!!! Make sure you put clock "FACE UP" so the WD doesn't all run into the face & stain it.Give it a good shot of it,I've done this to my buddy's 57 chevy,sedan del. & his 56 Monarch 2dr. htp. & another friend's 62 Bonniville convert.
-- Edited by dualquadpete on Friday 25th of March 2011 06:12:53 AM
WHEN I REMOVED THE DASH IN MY '64 THERE WERE NO NUTS AT THE WIPER AREA, I DON'T RECALL ANY PINS/STUDS EITHER. THE PINS/STUDS COULD HAVE BEEN THERE, I DON'T REMEMBER FOR SURE, BUT I DO KNOW I DIDN'T HAVE TO REMOVE ANY NUTS IN THE WIPER LOCATION.
...I'll check for those pins and nuts..I assume that they protrude out into the wiper area and are attached to the dash top(??). And if I have to remove the wiper valence how do I do that...? Really appreciate all the experienced help here guys...
