enrique

don't ypu have to remove the fan knob that goes to the switch along with all the slider knobs to get the face plate off to remove the radio. When we changed the heater core we had to disassemble all of that to get to the core. It would be the same if you had to exchange radios.

Burt

You shouldn't have to remove anything off the fan switch when removing the control panel. I never have.

And you only have to remove the knobs off the heater controls if you're disconnecting the the slider assembly from the back of the control panel. In EScanlon's description, you wouldn't even have to do that.

When I always removed mine, I would disconnect the slider assembly from the control panel only because I had a hard time keeping my cables working properly. Once I got them connected to the right levers and working right, I never wanted to disconnect them again. There are 4 small phillips-head screws that hold the slider assembly onto the back of the control panel. They are easy to remove, but a little more difficult to hook back up.

I just added today and found exactly what I needed here! Thanks a bunch

Escalon,

Do you still have the '73 Dash? If so, will you sell it?

You dont have to remove the heater control dash when changing out the radio. I have found that if you remove the 5 screws on the console, remove the 2 screws holding the choke on to the console, move the console out of the way and move the fuse box out of the way you should have enough room to drop the radio from the mounting bracket by getting to the 2 screws on either side of the heater control. It sounds like it is more difficult, but you dont have to lable the cables for the heater. IMHO it is just easier to access than reaching under the dash, to get the the heater control cables.

If all your doing is changing out the radio it should be alot easier to do without dissasembly of the whole center unit. Radio is accesable with enough angling, and blind sighted reaching into the cavity of the console. Sounds like your well on your way taking it all apart so I wish you luck, but if you havent Id really grab a flashlight and look around from the sides and see if you can do it without.

Ramses:

Sorry, didn't have the 73 dash at all. I purchased the HCP from e-Bay (the lighted one) and fitted it to my 72 dash from a parts car. The 71 dash for my car is currently in storage awaiting $ to be properly restored.

As far as being able to remove the radio without removing the HCP, it also depends on whether the lower portion of the HCP has been cut away by the IPO. If it has, and it's only the clamping of the radio's faceplate and backing plate that are holding the radio to the HCP, then you might be able to get the radio out without removing the HCP.

If on the other hand, the HCP still has the lower band of plastic chrome, you might break it trying to get the radio out. There's only a small amount of space back there, and the side brackets to hold the radio preclude much wiggling room.

FWIW

E

Damn - I wish I'd seen this before getting "adventurous"...I just scored an original Hitachi radio and in my excitement (and haste), I removed the 4 screws and tugged at the HCP before realizing the sliders had cables attached.

Not wishing to damage anything, I re-attached the HCP, but it looked like there was some resistance on the top slider (almost like a bulge in the HCP). Like an idiot, I pressed on the bulge and proceeded to crack my HCP. Minor, but cracked nonetheless and I am pizzed. I am a moron for doing that.

In any event, as king moron, much of what's being described above isn't coming to me - anyone have pictures as a reference point? Where do I disconnect the slider cables - behind the HCP or down below at the blower unit?

You can't disconnect the cables AT the HCP levers without un-bending the "Z" bend in the cable or cutting it.

The only option is to disconnect the four cables, both at the Heater Unit and at the Blower.

E

Ok, make sense - how do you know which cable corresponds to the control levers? Someone made a comment about marking them, which should be easy enough (activate the lever to see which cable it moves, then mark) - is that correct?

When I removed mine I didn't mark them as there was only one way they would match back up, as in the length of each was different. Just a bear getting to all of the clamps and using the offset screwdriver which is a must. Removing the seats is a great help.

Bonzi Lon

For others who may want further reading:

Here's a few links to several articles that address what you're doing.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=6981

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=4429

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=7291

HTH

E