Dash pad replacement in 1967

[Jim Dulle]

I am currently re-doing the interior in my 67. I need to replace the dash pads. Can someone tell me how to remove the old ones? What kind of fastener is holding them in? Does the entire dash need to come out? I also see a tremendous price difference in these pads from the suppliers, anyone know which ones are the best?

Thanks, Jim

[Grant M.]

Re: Dash pad replacement in 1967

Jim,

The pads are held in place by special 'clips' (I believe 28 in total) which are pushed through holes in the the fibreglas dash into the dash pad foam. The clips are then 'squeezed' closed on the dash side, which spreads the prongs in the dash pad foam, holding it in place. To release, you need to use a thin-bladed slotted screwdriver inserted between the 'blades' of the 'closed' portion of the clips and rotate, spreading them apart. This will release the prongs inside the pad. I was able to re-use all of my clips; however, having new ones on hand is probably a good idea in case the old ones are badly corroded. They're avalable from Long Island and other suppliers. The dash assembly doesn't need to be removed from the car to remove the pads, but in order to gain access to all of the clips, the glovebox, radio, defroster duct, speaker, and certainly the instrument cluster must be removed (steering wheel too, for ease of effort).

I bought new pads several years ago from the cheapest supplier at the time, John's Corvette Care in Dearborn, MI, but I haven't installed them yet as I trial fitted one and it just didn't seem to be as 'tight' to the radius of the cut-out in the dash as the originals. I also believe that the rear edge on these is not formed exactly as the originals; it seems thicker and more rounded. All that to say, I think I'd buy Al Knoch pads if I were to do it again. They're not the cheapest, but I've examined them at Carlisle and they seem to be a closer reproduction. I can't speak for how 'tightly' they'll fit against the cut-couts, though.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

grant

[Bob R.]

Re: Dash pad replacement in 1967

I just completed the replacement of the dash pads in my 63 roadster. It should be very similar to your 67. I got replacement pads from Corvette America. They were a pretty good fit but the installation was more work than I thought it would be. I took out the entire dash. It might be possible to install them in place but you have to remove all accessories from the dash anyways. Radio, clock, gage cluster, glove box. At that point it isn't very difficult to remove the entire dash and the assembly will go quicker. The glove box pad is easy it has 2 bolts in the top which when tightened will pull the pad into proper position then install the clips. The drivers pad doesn't have bolts you have to physically push it into place. Not easy to do. The drivers side didn't fit as well as the passengers side. Good luck