1950s 1956 CADILLAC Instrument Panel Removal

[jaxops]

Anyone know the best way to unhook the heater-defrost and blower motor levers from the instrument panel? I am stymied.  I had the thought of just taking the back off and pulling the speedo guts to send off but that doesn't appear any easier.  Any advice?

Mark M

[J. Gomez]

Anyone know the best way to unhook the heater-defrost and blower motor levers from the instrument panel? I am stymied.  I had the thought of just taking the back off and pulling the speedo guts to send off but that doesn't appear any easier.  Any advice?

Mark M

Mark,

If you look at the Service Manual there is no easy way to remove the levers without pulling the instrument panel out to at least a few inches to give you access to remove the two bolts and plate from each side.

You may need to remove the speedo cable and thus should give you access to move the panel out enough to give you the access to the bolts but it is a balance trip with only two hands. Also the wire hardness maybe on your way of pulling the panel out but it can be easily move or unclipped from the area. Just make sure you remove the battery cables so there is no surprise electrical sparks while removing the panel.

Good luck..!

[jaxops]

Thanks- I will try that!

[jaxops]

I had to use a very thin open-end wrench to get the left side lever for the blower off.  The speedometer is back from Southern Electronics so now it is time to put it back in the dash. 
Ugh.  At least the temperature outside is down...for now.

[jaxops]

  Well- the speedometer - instrument panel went in a bit easier because I knew where everything went this time.  Not a lot of fun.  I actually had more trouble getting the driver vent cable re-attached on the floorboards (I had left them attached to the panel so I didn't have to reinstall them). Lots of screws not fitting right or the inserts were worn. I did scratch the steering column top a bit so I get to repaint that now.

  Glad to have that job done and the car re-assembled from pieces all over the garage and floorboards.