Windjamer14 Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Can anyone tell me how hard it is to replace it, do you have to tear out the whole dash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Brichta Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 You will have to remove the cluster to replace the gauge. That will mean you need to loosen the dash and pull it forward in order to unplug the wiring harness and speedo cable and get the cluster out. Can be somewhat intimidating if you have never done it before. Be careful, 50 year old plastic breaks easily. Good luck!! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RealRed70 Posted December 16, 2018 Share Posted December 16, 2018 Before removing anything, be sure to remove the negative battery terminal. If you put threaded rods in the upper dash housing mounting holes where the bolts are now it will be easy to slide the dash toward you. You need one on the drivers side and one on the passenger side about 12 inches long will work. You will still have to remove the other five bolts that hold the dash housing frame to the car. Be sure to support the center of the dash housing so that you do not crack it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted December 17, 2018 Share Posted December 17, 2018 (edited) May help some: 1-If you have a column shift, THIS MUST BE REMOVED or you will break it! (If you ever remove the dash) 2- Picture of the back side with gauge package (1971) 3- I believe this is the AMP gauge and the nut was very tight, I used a small locking pliers, to keep the gauge from breaking. Edited December 17, 2018 by stangeba added text Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monteman1971 Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 It's a big project for a gauge that does little to nothing. I never understood why they have an Amp gauge and not a volt gauge. If it's pointing straight up i'd just leave it alone. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stangeba Posted December 19, 2018 Share Posted December 19, 2018 If you are not having a charging problem, I would leave it alone also. Some interesting reading about the charging system in our First Gen Monte Carlo's. http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain1.shtml http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain2.shtml http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/chevymain3.shtml and this all about AMP gauges: http://www.madelectrical.com/electricaltech/amp-gauges.shtml 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Windjamer14 Posted December 21, 2018 Author Share Posted December 21, 2018 Thanks everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970mcss Posted December 21, 2018 Share Posted December 21, 2018 I just finished removing my cluster and repaired my clock, replaced all the dash bulbs and polished a scratch out of the dash lens. It was a bit nerve racking, I referenced Dennis's step by step instructions which were very helpful. It you decide to replace the gauge just take your time...Merry Christmas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sendo Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 On 12/21/2018 at 6:01 AM, 1970mcss said: I just finished removing my cluster and repaired my clock, replaced all the dash bulbs and polished a scratch out of the dash lens. It was a bit nerve racking, I referenced Dennis's step by step instructions which were very helpful. It you decide to replace the gauge just take your time...Merry Christmas can you tell me where to find Dennis's step by step instructions thanks Sendo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCfan Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 8 hours ago, sendo said: can you tell me where to find Dennis's step by step instructions thanks Sendo Hi, Sendo, I think Paul is referring to one or both of the following project photo journals on Photobucket: Full Gauge Cluster Upgrade Repairing A Dash Clock Just click on the first photo in the slide set and scroll it up enough to read the caption where all of the instruction text is for each slide. From the first slide you should be able to click on the arrow on the right hand side to advance to the next slide. It's been awhile since I did these projects on my '70 but let me know if you have any questions. You can post them, send me a Private Message or even an email at dbengtson4@comcast.net. I also have some instructions on removing the dash if you need them. Just send me your email address and I will send you the text file. Good luck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sendo Posted February 2, 2019 Share Posted February 2, 2019 thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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