The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 1949 3100 - Removing Gauges

Hi,

I'm in the process of restoring my grandpa's 49' 3100 and need to remove the Spedometer and Gauges for disassembly. I'm pretty intimidated by all the wiring and have no idea where to start.

Would anyone have any suggestions for where to begin when pulling these gauges out? Would it be best to remove other assemblies prior to attacking the gauges?

Thanks for the help!

First, remove the speaker grill. You can access some of the wires and nuts that hold them on. Take pictures before you take anything off. You will thank me later. Its not the most fun, but it is do-able.
Carl

Four nuts per gauge, find either knurled nuts or wing nuts to replace the standard nuts, it will be sooo much easier for you or others in the future. Identify the high beam light as it is most important to go back to it's original place in the indicator housing.

I went with washer flange nuts with a locking serrated edge.

First, disconnect the battery.
Remove all wires. Wires are color coded and have taken a set so when you install that will not be an issue.
Remember that your temp sensor is NOT a wire but a gas filled line that attaches to the head. Remove carefully. You do not want to break it. It does NOT disconnect from the back of the gauge.
You may want to remove the seat to get under the panel.
Enjoy.

Sounds crazy but..drain the radiator. Pull the battery. Remove the speaker grill. Tease out the rubber grommets from the firewall. And for me..pull the throttle and choke cables out. Now start with the speedometer, then the other gauge cluster. Remove the oil sender plumbing and keep the temp sender intact. See? Nothing to it...:)

It can be helpful if you don't bend so good any more to remove the steering wheel and seat if need be. I can not get to the floor with the seat in any more. Something about that darn brake pedal in my ear that takes all my patience away from me. Enjoy.

I'm still sore from the contortions I had to endure to R&R the speedometer in my 49 3100 6 months ago

I didn't know to pull the speaker grill so I did it all from the floorboard.

When the time comes to remove those gauges again I'm following most of the advice given in this thread.

Remove the speaker grill, remove the steering wheel, remove the seat assembly and think about custom cutting a piece of plywood to lay on the seat frame and floorboard to atleast have a smooth surface to lay on
Good luck
Dave

If its a floor shift, removing the shifter from the tranny helps for head room.

Thanks for all the advice fellas! I ended up getting all the gauges out safely thanks to all your advice. The cab was pulled off the frame yesterday and now its time to tear apart the front and rear suspension!