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any tip or tricks? cant get the vents or instrument cluster to fit. I have trimmed and check fit to old dash. seems to me when the vacuum molded the cover on the dash frame the corners did not pull down on the back of the dash tight enough. the stock corners are nice and sharp where as CA dash are round and not allowing the vents or cluster to fit inside the dash. Now what ? hope the back up their parts.
me tool also.... well i was done eating and ready to nap. it just make me sad when you pay thru all that money and it looks like sh*t. I know its not made in china.
I put one in my 80 last year. It takes a little work but you can get everything to fit right. I used a dremel tool with a barrel roll sandpaper cartridge to remove material from the inside foam until the parts fit. Go slow. The screws also thread into the foam so it is easy to strip the holes. I did that in a few spot and used plastic anchors to fix the holes. If you take your time it will look very good.Also a heat gun or hair blower will help get things in place. Do a search there is one thread on here that really helped me. Any questions PM me.
I put one in my 80 last year. It takes a little work but you can get everything to fit right. I used a dremel tool with a barrel roll sandpaper cartridge to remove material from the inside foam until the parts fit. Go slow. The screws also thread into the foam so it is easy to strip the holes. I did that in a few spot and used plastic anchors to fix the holes. If you take your time it will look very good.Also a heat gun or hair blower will help get things in place. Do a search there is one thread on here that really helped me. Any questions PM me.
I also trimmed to fit but what needs trimming is visible. For $400+ we shouldn't have to trim anything, the OEM was able to do it in 82, why should CA not be able to do it now. Has technology regressed? i dont think so poor quality control and inspect maybe? do they gage fit and function in the manufacturing process?
Last edited by Aldo_45030; 04-01-2013 at 10:34 AM.
I also trimmed to fit but what needs trimming is visible. For $400+ we shouldn't have to trim anything, the OEM was able to do it in 82, why should CA not be able to do it now. Has technology regressed? i dont think so poor quality control and inspect maybe? do they gage fit and function in the manufacturing process?
I trimmed mine like I said. With the dash installed you don´t see any trimming. My dash looks factory installed. Try heating up the areas with a hair dryer, that will make it easier to fit it in. Have you used other corvette repro parts, they all need to be fitted and trimmed. When I first got my dash I felt the same as you do. I stepped away and thought about it and then did the job. All I can say is these are the only dashes available, you will have to do the best you can to get it to fit right.
My only problem is will they replace it if i f it up compensating for their in ability to supply a quality product.
I will step back and try again and i do appreciate your feedback and advise. Time to fire up the heat gun and give hell.
Originally Posted by 540 vette
I trimmed mine like I said. With the dash installed you don´t see any trimming. My dash looks factory installed. Try heating up the areas with a hair dryer, that will make it easier to fit it in. Have you used other corvette repro parts, they all need to be fitted and trimmed. When I first got my dash I felt the same as you do. I stepped away and thought about it and then did the job. All I can say is these are the only dashes available, you will have to do the best you can to get it to fit right.
My only problem is will they replace it if i f it up compensating for their in ability to supply a quality product.
I will step back and try again and i do appreciate your feedback and advise. Time to fire up the heat gun and give hell.
I agree the quality isn´t there. Just take your time and think before you do something. It´s alot of money to throw away.
I got my new dash from Wilcox, it is an Al Knock, beautiful piece.
Total pain in the *** to get it fit. I had to do a Lot of trimming. Looks like they used an old dash to make the mold with. I wasn't happy with the vent mounts at all, but keep at t and they will go in.
The light switch mount was a Real joy.
I got my new dash from Wilcox, it is an Al Knock, beautiful piece.
Total pain in the *** to get it fit. I had to do a Lot of trimming. Looks like they used an old dash to make the mold with. I wasn't happy with the vent mounts at all, but keep at t and they will go in.
The light switch mount was a Real joy.
The light switch, I forgot about that. What a pain. But I got it to fit.
I am having the same problem with my 82....I still don't have everything back in the dash, but need to make some of the adjustments suggested by "540 vette". They look nice out of the box from "CA", but getting them to fit correctly is another story....
And I don't think if we all got replacemnts from them that they would be any different......
I put one in my 80 last year. It takes a little work but you can get everything to fit right. I used a dremel tool with a barrel roll sandpaper cartridge to remove material from the inside foam until the parts fit. Go slow. The screws also thread into the foam so it is easy to strip the holes. I did that in a few spot and used plastic anchors to fix the holes. If you take your time it will look very good.Also a heat gun or hair blower will help get things in place. Do a search there is one thread on here that really helped me. Any questions PM me.
Once installed looks awesome, but easily 30-40 hours job. heat-gun, sand paper, ... you named, in order to fit everything as better as possible. Excellent time to insulated firewall, fix and adjust any problem with the a/c mechanism, seal any a/c duct leak. I don't regret changing my dash but a LOT of work, it's not a one person weekend job.
I have installed 2 of them both were a pain in the a** as others have said you have no better choices. Just take your time and the finished dash will be great.
Mark
03-31-2013, 12:41 PM
82 corvette america dash replacement
