Dashboard Removal

[BLACKJACK]

HEY GUYS,

I'VE ORDERED A KENNE-BELL SUPERCHARGER OR THE EXCALIBUR COBRA.

BIG QUESTION FOR TODAY IS HOW TO REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SO I CAN MOUNT THE BOOST GAUGE - AND ALSO A BATTERY GAUGE WHILE I'M AT IT.

MY INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS THE "DROPPED CONSOLE" IN THE CENTER WITH THE A/C AND RADIO. THE PANEL IS FINISHED SO NICELY I PLAN ON DRILLING THE HOLES FOR THE GAUGES FROM THE "BACK" OF THE PANEL THEN "STAR CUTTING" THE LEATHER FROM THE FRONT AND TUCKING IT INTO THE GAUGE HOLE BEFORE GAUGE MOUNTING.

IT LOOKS RATHER LIKE THEY NEVER INTENDED FOR THE PANEL TO COME OUT.

ANY SUGGESTIONS WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

THANKS, AND. Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK

[dscott]

Blackjack, I'm not sure how Excalibur mounted their dash but since it is almost a direct copy of the Classic I can tell you how that dash is attached. Normally there are 2 angle brackets at the bottom of the dash that attach to the floor and each side of the dash. On the part of the dash that wraps around each side to meet the door there are usually 2 screws. In the manual they tell you to put screws from the underside of the top lip of the dash to the cowl bar so you may want to crawl under the dash and look to see if they put some there. I usually don't use the top screws because it's almost impossible to get in there. The dash is normally a very tight fit between the body and the cowl bar. The dash sits on a lip on the cowl bar so once all the screws are out you can force the dash away from the cowl bar. I have added gauges to the dash without removal by making the star cut in the dash cover and peeling it away just enough to get a hole saw in. You need to be very careful but it can be done. I use a hole saw smaller than what I need and then file the dash for the final fit. You will also need to drop the column if you take the dash out. There are several items to be removed to take the dash completely out. 2 connectors at the fuse block, heater control cables, vent hoses, radio connections, etc. Good luck!
Don

[BLACKJACK]

THANKS, DON.

I'LL TRY YOUR SUGGESTION. USING A SMALLER HOLE SAW THEN HAND FILING TO FIT LOOKS A WHOLE LOT EASIER THAT PULLING THE DASH OUT.

THANKS FOR THE HELP,

Y'ALL HAVE A REALLY GREAT DAY,

BLACKJACK