73 Dash Replacement Project

[KenFirch]

I believe they should have connectors like the 1P (1 position) connectors on this page: https://easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Connectors/312_Connectors/312_connectors.html

Thanks, ordered.

[KenFirch]

While waiting for a few small parts, I decided to redo the Lighter and Hazard Switch mounting.  The rear mounting bracket made the hazard switch stick out about 3/8" of an inch too much, showing a lot of the brass threaded  stem above the spanner nut.  The lighter socket fits fine, but the switch bracket needs to be pulled back away from the dash to have a solid flusher mount.  I saw this link which talks about the same problem and fix.   First, I cut the bracket with some tinsnips, and after drilling a new hole for a sheet metal screw, and bolted the lighter half back in place and mounted the lighter socket.

I rounded up some spacers for underneath the bracket, add added some washers to the stem so it seats against the back of the dash.  I also added a washer beneath the spanner nut so it doesn't twist directly against the new dash material when tightening.  Not sure if the factory had one there, and mine was missing, but it seemed like a good idea.  Used my snap ring pliers for the spanner nut, not the best tool to use, but it worked.  Got a longer M5 screw and drilled another hole for the sheet metal screw.

Mounted back in place.  It does feel more solid too.

[KenFirch]

Changed all the dash bulbs using this kit from Z Car Depot.  I prefer a dash that's not so bright, where I don't need to wear sunglasses at night 😎.  So, used old school incandescent bulbs.  Bench tested all gauge lights to make sure they all work and have good grounds.  I'm ready to put this dash back in the car.

 

 

 

Edited October 6, 2022 by KenFirch

[KenFirch]

I got the dash bolted back in place.  My wife was sporting enough to help me lift it into position, took all of 10 minutes at the most.

Not sure if all year Z's have this, but this 73 had a pair of pins on the bottom dash mounting brackets that cradle into the tunnel brackets.  Once resting there, just tilt dash into position and get a bolt or two started at the top. Checked that wire bundles were routed where they should be, and tightened all bolts.  So that part was easy enough.  Now to get everything connected back up without having a smoke show later.

 

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by KenFirch

[KenFirch]

Finally got it all back together!  Had a few issues, nothing serious.  My horn and dome light aren't working, I'll try to fix those later.  I did have to run a new separate wire for the tach out to the coil, so tach works fine now.  

 And I broke my glove box door! 😡  While installing I latched it close without taking the time to adjust the latch correctly.  Of course it got stuck and I had to resort to prying it open with some plastic pry tools.  As soon as it popped open it promptly broke those plastic flex hinges.  I figure I could just get another off eBay, or order a 3rd party metal replacement inner door, until I saw the prices.  

My first thought was to use some small steel hinges to fix, but that seemed a bit heavy-handed.  So, I ordered some plastic flex hinges off of Amazon.  Original is also a flexible plastic hinge, which I'm surprised lasted ~50 years. I cut new hinges to approximate length of the original hinge.

Used a utility blade to flatten out the area where the door side hinge adhesive will stick, 3 places.

I pried open the channel so the hinges would fit inside, but not too far that it won't act like a vice when removing tape from adhesive and installed.  This will make the channel about 1/16" thicker than original, and I did use slightly longer screws when installing on the dash.

I removed the tape over the hinge adhesive and assembled.  I did pry open the channel so I could slide hinge into position.  And I marked the horizontal alignment to match old position, then glued door in place.

Here's the back side.  The old broken side of the hinge, which use to fit inside the channel, is not used, on the shelf.

Side view of hinge.

Installed.  Too bad those hinges don't come in black.

One other thing I did was epoxy a washer on the back side of my new map light bezel, so hopefully it gives the screw something to push against and won't crack again.

Done, except for the dome light and horn. I'm very happy with the way new da$h fit, although it was quite a project to install it.  Car has collected a lot of dust while sitting, time to go blow the dust off it!

 

Edited October 14, 2022 by KenFirch