The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1954 Chevy COE hole in top of dash

I'm getting ready to weld this closed but before I do that, I would like to make sure this is not for something important. Just a big stupid hole in the top of the dash.

[URL=http://s176.photobucket.com/user/dodgecummings/media/54%20chevy%20COE/20161130_185442_zpsqumrvga9.jpg.html][/url]

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Sorry, should be fixed now.

Thanks.

Looks like the hole for the accessory wind-up clock (54/55st).

Thanks tclederman
I was thinking that but it looks a little high to me? I did some looking on the web but could not find a picture of the dash with a before / after pic of the clock installed. I guess I will keep looking before I do anything with it.

Thanks
Ryan

Ryan,

Here is a helpful thread.
Read all posts from top to bottom.
And, click on all links.

Great looking project. lots of good pictures.
I'm doing the same project, combining late '49 and '51 into one. Several months behind you though.

Question - I see a decorative cover plate attached to the dash above the steering column that covers the brace. Never seen that before. No trace of that on either of mine.
Was that some kind of trim option?

"Question - I see a decorative cover plate attached to the dash above the steering column that covers the brace. Never seen that before. No trace of that on either of mine. "

Is yours a COE, Jim?

My 1954 GMC COE has a different/stronger steering column attachment under the dash (the steering column is longer than the one on non-COE trucks). Most likely the Chevrolet COE's attachment is different from other Chevrolet trucks? Or, maybe it is a difference between 54/55st COEs and earlier COEs?

Yes, COE's.
Both the late 49 and the 51 have the same heavier dash to column support that's longer than the conventional cab, because the column angle is different.
However the cover piece in the picture has a screw on the top holding it to the dash. No holes in these dashboards.
It looks like a "Deluxe" trim kind of thing.

"Deluxe", meaning added by someone other than GM factory/dealer?

I don't know, that's why I'm asking.
Was it something Chevy added to cover the space after the column shift was introduced but the vehicle didn't have one?
Was it a dress-up item like the clock?
Was it from J.C. Whitney?
Curious minds want to know.

There is nothing like that mentioned in 1954 GM documentation for 1954/55st Deluxe Interior equipment - but, I do not know if it might be standard COE equipment.

It sure look "natural" there?

Maybe Spanky knows?

So tomorrow I will take it off and shoot a few pics of it. There are some numbers stamped into it. The hole on top of the dash is not centered in between the two gauges, I'm thinking that might be key it was for something else.

Thanks, maybe the numbers will be searchable.

Doesn't the template for mounting the clock housing only require 4 small holes, not one big one? Maybe someone was trying to mount a dash clock flush without the housing?
Or, they needed to fix the windshield wiper motor and got frustrated with working from the bottom.

You are correct - one hole in the dash in the dash photo in original post.

And, as shown in a thread linked-to in a post above:
clock installation drilling template - 4 holes need to be drilled? (the largest is 1" diameter)
Clock Installation Instructions for Instrument Panel [truck] Clock Housing (54/55st)

By the way, that dash looks to have been cut-up/out in other areas - such as the holes to the right of the ignition switch?

Yes, some jack wagon mounted a radio there 30 years ago.. in another pic on Photobucket you can see they ended up moving it to under the glove box after destroying that bottom plate

I just posted about 8 pics of the mount if any of you want to see.

It looks real nice, and it looks like it was made for that location.

Thanks, I'm thinking I should make a mold and produce a few...

Did anybody happen to see if this mount is OEM or aftermarket?

Does it have a part # on it?

I could not find it in the parts manual, but I do not know the name of the part.

Yes there was a part number on it.
3703447 is what it looks like.