ATC529R

I have a v-8 conversion. and I can not seem to get the cluster out at ALL. the main culprit is the steering cable and my hands are too big to get in there.

right now I have no speedo, the fuel gauge and clock work, no temp, but I have on in center console, and my tach works, but needs to be recalibrated for the v-8. right now it suns like 1700 rpms at idle , so I assume it's roughly double the true rpm.

any tips I have not read other than having small hands?
couldn't you just put an in-line ohm (probably not the right word) reducer under the hood for the tach?
anyone swapped it out and have it look 1/2 way stock?

The rest of the interior is stock short of temp, OP, and amp guage where the ashtray/console was.

thanks in advance.

edit- it is a 1980 dash cluster with 80mph speedo.

midnight mechanic

you push the cluster inward. rotate it down, as in pull the top towards you while pushing the bottom away. remove the cables in the back of the cluster, and pull the cluster out.

car designers just have to be so clever!

What is this steering cable , of which you speak?

ATC529R

meant speedo cable. Thanks for the tip.

KansasCityREPU

iTrader: (9)

Another tip on how to do this. Disconnect the speedo at the transmission. This will give it more slack under the dash when tilting the cluster.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

If this helps, written up by me, removing my 80 Cluster:1) remove steering wheel:

Remove 22mm nut. To remove wheel, firmly grasp wheel at 3 and 9 o’clock, rock back and forth by alternately pushing and pulling L & R arm.

2) remove covers around steering column. Note that HEADLIGHT switch “tip” just pulls off of stalk. Also, plastic “instruction” cover on left, displaying signal light switch positions, needs to be popped out to allow signal arm thru the cover’s hole.



3) remove surround-trim around instrument cluster face: parts PDF pg 70:

-2 phillips screws under top edge. Might need a stubby screwdriver to get at.

-bottom of surround is held in by two clips that fit horizontally into instrument panel. Just pull surround out straight back to make these release. You will feel resistance to do this!



4) remove cables and wiring harnesses from cluster:

-reach up under dash to RIGHT side of rear of cluster, feel the speedo cable mounting point. The cable attaches by a TAB on the cable end that snaps into the collar on the back of the cluster. You must feel for the tab and squeeze it into the cable and pull to release the cable from the back.

-still at the back there are TWO round harness connectors going into the cluster. Pull these off. NOTE: if difficult, these two connectors CAN be removed as the cluster is being pulled out of the dash...



5) remove instruments: parts page 70

TOOLS: need a LONG!! (6”+ shaft) phillips screwdriver to remove 2 phillips screws mounted vertically at the back of the cluster.

- Laying on your back under the instruments, you will see the 2 screws wa-a-a-y up under the dash, one on each side of the steering column. These are facing down at you. It might help to remove the air ducting that drops under the steering col. first. This has one screw holding it into place. There may be one screw attaching it to the column?

- on the front of the instruments, 2 screws hold the cluster up under the top lip. The cluster should now remove towards you and out.

Stu A
80GS
AZ

ATC529R

Man, bad on me for missing the write up, but I I am so thankful for this descriptive post.It helps me see exactly where I have had issues and stopped rather than risking the cluster. ThankYou!!!