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I had some sparks coming out from under the instrument panel of my '51 Chevy 3600. When I looked underneath I discovered that there had been some sparks there before and someone had spliced some new wiring with the old. The old wiring system seems to be the original cloth covered insulated, very brittle. I need to look closer to see what I can rewire temporarily until I install a whole new harness later on. It seems that the only way to get to those wires would be to remove the instrument panel gauges. There's also an instrument panel brace that really impair the reaching. What's the best way to remove the gauges. Do the outer chrome rings come out first? Are they snapped in or screwed in? Or is there a better way to remedy the situation? Help please!

Paul B.

They should be like my 52panel and if they are the guages come out as a unit. There is some small nuts on the back you have to screw off each guage. I'm not sure now but I think they are 3/8 or 7/16. I can't remember but I do know you can get to them good with a nut driver. Once you take the nuts off the guages come out the back of the dash and the chrome bezel comes with them.
I would probably take the speedo out first and then work through that hole unless it does not need to come out. Once you get them loose then you can "drop them down" to get the wires loose if you have enough slack. It does help to be able to lay upside down on your back!!

When you put them back in use ¼-20 knurled brass nuts from the hardware store.

GREAT TIP CLETIS !!!

The best way I have found to remove gauges

1] Remove the front clip

2] Remove engine and transmission

3] Unbolt body and lift about 16 inches

4] Place cushion from sofa and place against firewall [ warning ; do this while wife is out !!!! ]

5] Stand in Transmission hole to see 2 of the nuts and try to "feel " the other 6

Of course I waited to do this job last in the tear down process because I have done this before , it is a tedious process at best

The way I work on the wiring behind the dash is as follows. I remove the radio grill cover, then remove the speedometer. At this point the gauges are quite accessible.

Thanks for the tips. I like "Oldog in Md" suggestion, although it looks like quite a task, but I think I'll try "truckernix" suggestion first then I'll go from there. I'm still open to more ideas. Thanks.

Paul B.