1976 C3 Corvette Dash Disassembly, Speedo Repair and Vintage Air Ducting!

This is a longer one but I hope it helps! The first part is the process of removing the dash, which I thought needed a better explanation than my previous dash video. I go through the process of removing the speedo/tach panel and then the speedo and taking it apart to clean it and get it working again. Took a look at the VA ducts as well. They needed some rerouting to solve some compressed-duct problems.
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[@katatonos]

@7:31 you say disconnect the connector on the speedometer, is it twist off, a clip, or a press connector? I can't see it and it isn't budging when I try to disconnect. I really don't want to break it.

[@RestorationObsession]

Hi Dean. Take a look at the picture at this link. You can see the speedo connector in the very center of the back of the gauge and just underneath it a greyish-black tab. Just push that tab inward toward the gauge while gently pulling the cable outward and away from the gauge and it should slide right off. That tab is part of a spring clip that grabs the end of the cable housing. When you go to put it back on all you need to do is push the cable back in until it snaps into that clip. Hope that helps! www.corvetteforum.com/forums/attachments/c3-tech-performance/47610286d1183072788-how-the-do-you-remove-the-speedo-cable-dscn1878.jpg

[@katatonos]

@@RestorationObsession I never responded but thank you! It came out perfect. I can't find any information on this next part, have you removed the ignition switch that sits on top of the steering column? Mines gone bad and for the life of me I can't get it out

[@RestorationObsession]

@@katatonos Cool beans! No, I have not removed the ignition switch yet.

[@larrykamakua8306]

Press connector !

[@dave0028]

Very impressive work. I have a new lower dash pad for the Speedo/tach and I'm not sure I have the patients to pull the speedo/tach assembly out and get it re-installed. I will be watching your video over a few more times before I decide how to do it. Keep up the great work.

[@chasryan2040]

RO, many thanks. your recommendations for positioning and angles were very helpful. There are also two screws that connect the heat/AC ducts to the back of the driver side dash and getting those out really helped with 1-2 more inches so I could get the speedo and tach unplugged.

[@sebastiantapia4815]

I am getting my C3 (79) on Wednesday, and this is 1 of the things I'm going to tackle first; get rid of the critter crud all up in there! Thank you SO much for posting all these little details!

[@RestorationObsession]

Yay! I am excited for you! Ugh, critter crud haha, that stuff is the worst! Let me know how it goes!

[@GarthThomson]

Just the video I was looking for! Thank you 🙏 I appreciate your efforts and I’m far more confident about taking this on myself now 😊 I Will like and subscribe

[@michaelpeebles3490]

You have the patience of a watchmaker!

[@RestorationObsession]

Haha thanks Michael!

[@marcodevries4481]

Bless anyone with the patience to work on a C3. They were made to be as hard to service as possible. I have one and it drives me crazy

[@RestorationObsession]

Hi! Really? I think they are pretty easily serviceable, mostly. Though some bits can be kinda wonky.

[@Nobamaable]

I disagree...they are very mechanic friendly. I had a 66 Rivera with bad gauge lights and could never figure out how to get the dash off... no screws in sight.

[@lindensutherland6740]

Great video Anna, I have a blue 76 also and in the process of a restoration. Next step- try my hand at sewing and recovering the dash. All the best 👍

[@willyg6545]

Well done, thank you, found it just before going in!!

[@Nobamaable]

Great video... I needed this for future reference on my 71 Vette.

[@TravNasty520]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video. I have to replace my speedo cable and this will be a huge help!

[@RestorationObsession]

My pleasure! Glad to be of help

[@manymany4879]

good work

[@rea8755]

So cool a Chevy Vega steering wheel. I just learned on a video how Chevy crossed installed items like your steering wheel. What a great video. Thank you. If I may ask: how do I access vacuum tubes to the headlight switch like without removing the entire dash disassembley.

[@johnmiranda8287]

Very good information! Wish I could have seen more leg in the video! 😉

[@vanmcdowell6671]

Great video - thanks for sharing! I've got to replace the speedo cable on my '70 4 speed so this video will definitely help. My speedo doesn't work at all so hope a new cable will correct my problem. I put a drill on the end at the transmission and it wouldn't spin my needle in the speedo at all so I guess cable must be bad. Thanks so much! 👍

[@RestorationObsession]

Thanks, Van! If the speedo still doesn't work after a new cable, I suspect the gauge may be rusted inside or possibly the spring is broken. Of course, there are other ways it could not function. Good luck! Let me know how it goes.

[@vanmcdowell6671]

@@RestorationObsession Thank you so much! I may reach back out to you if the new cable doesn't fix it. Sure hope it does after looking at what it will take to replace it... 😁. Thanks again!!

[@vanmcdowell6671]

@@RestorationObsession I am thinking about pulling the speedo gauge out next week to inspect the mechanism the best I can before I install a new cable. You mentioned that the gauge parts may be rusty or spring might be broken and I'm thinking you may be right. I'm scared to pull the mechanism apart like you did 😁 for fear I couldn't get it all back together correctly. If I pulled the gauge cluster and sent it to you, could I possibly hire you to look at the mechanism and see if you can make sure nothing is broken inside...? That thing looked like a watch that was taken apart and I'm afraid I couldn't get it back together without having leftover parts... 😁 I hate to go to all that trouble replacing the cable and it still not work. Please let me know what you think. Thanks so much! Van McDowell - Georgia

[@RestorationObsession]

@@vanmcdowell6671 Hi Van. I really wish I could help, but I can't do anything like that right now, sorry. But if you go slowly, take lots of pictures, and remove each screw and piece very carefully, I am sure you could do it.

[@vanmcdowell6671]

@@RestorationObsessionThank you and I understand! The many small parts make me nervous... 😁

[@texasrenegadeNL]

Thank you for the clear video! Very helpfull!

[@RestorationObsession]

My pleasure! Thank you

[@richardross8680]

I wish you lived next door to me.

[@RestorationObsession]

Haha! Thanks =)

[@rea8755]

Me too! Let me know when you come to Florida for vacation!

[@code3k5]

I'm finally installing my Vintage Air AC, what a major PITA to run the ducts... It took me all day just to connect the drivers side ducts to the vent fittings, so frustrating...

[@RestorationObsession]

I hear ya! The VA ducting is a P.I.T.A.!!! I recommend using mylar duct tape to hold things together while positioning. Another problem I faced was crushing of the tubing when putting the center console back in. It's such a pain I hate to even think about pulling my dash apart again lol

[@rmb6604]

I restore C3's...my husband asked.."who designed this stuff?" I told him some very SMALL mean little men did it! Not for the light hearted.

[@RestorationObsession]

lol!

[@powegayletaylor9590]

I live here in Florida.

[@tjwa103]

How much do you charge to repair a 81 c3 speedometer...I replaced my speedo cable recently and it work fine for the first 2 miles then suddenly stopped, took it apart to see the plastic end of cable was sheared off...so I am assuming the speedo is defective...

[@jpippy7]

I see this is 3 years old, but hopefully you get this. I'm somewhat of a newbie, but I'm learning. I feel I need to change the speedo cable in the near future. There's a spot where it was sitting on the exhaust and there's no covering/shielding, and occasionally my speedo needle bounces a few mph up and down. My question is, do I basically have to follow the initial part of this video to gain access to the back of the speedo/cable, just enough to drop the steering wheel and get my hand back there??? or is there something else or another way? Thanks!!

[@stevenredman1582]

I think dropping the steering column all the way out would allow better access to the wires, cables, tubes, and fasteners behind your instrument cluster.

[@RestorationObsession]

It's definitely a requirement. Did I forget to mention that in this video? It might be mentioned in the other one I posted. Thank you for pointing it out! :)

[@TigerGuy052]

good job!!!

[@jimbondy581]

Good job :)

[@RestorationObsession]

Thanks Jim!

[@richardkeyes986]

Nice thank you

[@JDale56]

Nice video and tutorial on a cool project. How did you remove the speedometer needle from the pin? Is it affixed with a fastener or just pressed on?

[@RestorationObsession]

Thank you, Jeffrey. At first I gently pried it up from both sides at the same time, but that was a bit awkward and not working so I put some blue tape on it and used vice grips BARELY clipped over it enough to pull on it and thankfully it popped off. I have since removed it and replaced it a couple more times. It's not an easy task. I was sure I was going to break it, to be honest. I think I got lucky.

[@fernandoaponte2183]

is it common for the headlight switch to char the housing? how can that be prevented

[@RestorationObsession]

Yeah, but it may depend on some factors. The coil and contacts tend to corrode over time. Corrosion can cause the resistance to increase, causing excessive heat build up. I've read that the dimmer switch can do the same. Mine seems to work great though. I always loved the hi-beam foot switch. Well, if your switch is already like that, just get a new one. Better safe than sorry. One-time $25 insurance payment. If it looks good, a nice cleaning is a good thing. I always try dry microfiber rags first. They tend to work well. Alcohol helps get grease, dirt, wax, oxygenation and other grime off. Don't use water on electrical parts. As for prevention, what I have found works best is using the device. I have learned this lesson well with pinball machine restorations and ownership. Old school 70's-80's era lead contact switches are prone to the same thing and games start acting wonky if you don't play them because the corrosion and whatnot prevent them from making contact. Good luck!!!

[@powegayletaylor9590]

Hey, How much would you charge to repair my trip meter on my 75’?

[@LukeAshlocke]

Hey if you decide to repair these part time, I need mine done. Thanks (77 Vette)

[@RestorationObsession]

Will do!

[@LukeAshlocke]

@@RestorationObsession I followed your video and did it myself. Thanks :)

[@RestorationObsession]

@@LukeAshlocke That's awesome!!! Good job!

[@TimeToBeKind]

Hi Ms. Restoration. Hope all is well. I bought a 1976 in about 70% condition, and I need an entire weatherstripping kit, but because there’s a huge difference in price from John Deer to Jane Doe, I have no clue which way to go. Do you have any idea what’s what, because the reviews aren’t enough to take into consideration. Thank you for sharing

[@RestorationObsession]

Hi Tony. I have not installed new weatherstripping in my C3 yet and so have not done any research on that topic. Maybe at some point. I suspect that most Corvette parts suppliers (Zip, Eckler's, etc) probably source it from the same place though. I would buy through one of them. Let me know what you find out!

[@TimeToBeKind]

@@RestorationObsession … thank you. You are probably correct, most likely made in Xina by Mr. Suzuki and shipped in bulk to a bunch of retailers who are using their own packages. Top Flight Automotive/ American Corvette is the most expensive. I’m in Arizona, weatherstripping doesn’t last, perhaps I’ll buy the cheap and coat it with UV 303.

[@RestorationObsession]

@@TimeToBeKind I hear ya on the hellish AZ heat. It sucks the life right out of everything! I saw your forklift video, btw, and did a bit of quick research. I believe that's a Pettibone Super 8. Kind of a cool looking contraption.

[@code3k5]

I'm having a hell of a time installing the ducts on my 74 Vette, any tips ? I can't get the ducts over the vents and the vents on the unit against the firewall are impossible... HELP !!!

[@RestorationObsession]

I did, too. I found that using some of that mylar flex duct tape helps a lot. Affix the ends to the unit first, then put it in, if possible. I had to remove mine and re-do them after it was in though, real PITA. Also, I don't recall if I mentioned it in the video but I did not reinstall the entire radio. it's just the face plate and tuners to make it look like a radio is still there. The unit was shot anyways, but there wasn't enough space in there for all the tubing. Also, if you seem to have too much tubing, you may need to trim some of it off but be careful and don't cut them too short!

[@Anthony-qj7qe]

Just to change the drivers ball vent on my 74 had to take the whole dash apart there is no way to access it from under, beautiful but stupid design....

[@zachreese6540]

Next time, turn the ball vent sideways and give it a firm tug straight out. Absolutely no need to take the dash apart, even with brand new felt.

[@JesusLopez-ld8jt]

Absolutely absolutely absolutely way too much commentary. Full go on these videos to get direction not have a conversation

[@RestorationObsession]

Says the guy who uses "absolutely" three times lol! But seriously, thank you for the feedback, Jesus. best of luck in your restoration projects!

[@ryanshelvik7262]

@@RestorationObsession Honestly, I watched the video and went "This guy is pretty easy to listen to and goes into a lot of detail that might not be necessary, but I appreciate regardless" Great video. I picked up a basket case 76. The dash is all out except the center console cluster/radio. Interior was already pulled out. Need to adjust doors and rear bumper and on and on...I might actually get the dash back together this weekend now that I have a good point of reference. Thanks!!!

[@RestorationObsession]

@@ryanshelvik7262 Lol thanks Ryan!

[@zachreese6540]

Go watch another one or create your own video. Simple solution.

[@imatentpeg1821]

STOP, using the word “basically”, you don’t know when or how to use it. STOP.

[@RestorationObsession]

Haha! Thank you, Grammar Police

[@bradbluedeuce2]

Not everyone can be as perfect as you Ima Tentpeg.... This video is well done, very comprehensive and informative. Thanks Restoration Obsession!

[@zachreese6540]

Go fly a kite