True Connections

This month we will go over a few differences on the 1966 Chevelle interior. The dash gauges were just a little different from the 1967 Chevelles. The 1966 high beam indicator is at the bottom of the gauge assembly next to the idiot lights, where the 1967 high beam indicator is a small rectangle cutout in the speedometer face plate. If you look at the back of the gauge housing 1967 would also have an extra hole for the high beam light. One other difference is the emergency light was an option for 1966 and was a separate unit from the dash. 1967 was built into the dash assembly. If you have ever tried to take the gauge assembly out of the 66 for repair or restoring, it is a very tight fit. We find it easier to drop the complete dash assembly to accomplish this. To do this you have to drop the steering column which is 2 9/16 nuts and a strap right below the steering column. Next undo all the Phillips style screws along the top of the dash and bolts on each corner on the bottom. You will have to take out the radio and loosen the heater controller. Don’t forget the speedo cable and you should be able to pull the dash forward enough to service the gauges or any of the switches. While you have the dash dropped, now would be a good time to change your dash pad if it needs replacement. The pad has studs that secure it to the dash, just unscrew the 5/16 nuts and lift the dash pad out. We have teamed up with a local manufacturer to produce the finest padded dashes and we have test fit the dashes so they fit perfectly. While you are in the dash area, now would be a good time to change your glove box liner too. These are made of cardboard that is felt lined in gray and you have to ask for air conditioning or non A/C. Also if you need to change the 50” strip now is the time, these are held on by Phillips screws with little standoff brackets. The 50" strip is only produced in the non A/C version, but if needed you can use a scripe to mark the back side of the strip and that gives you the guidelines for cutting the square hole for the a/c bezel. Next month we want to go into detail on installing electric windows which is one of the hardest options to install. Until then keep on cruising.