Installing early dash pad

[ppeters914]

I did my due diligence and searched first....nada.

I'm finally trying to install a new DatsunParts.com dash pad (purchased several years ago) on my '67 1600. Flat dash is installed with the 4 screws on the sides and the one on the top. The windshield and frame are not installed.

I spent over an hour, and barely got one screw started. Had to walk away.

Is there a best way to install the dash pad? Should you start with the four screws up front by the windshield first? On the dash front, start from the ends or the middle?

Any and all tips appreciated.

Cheers,

[Curtis]

Are you using the pointed screws?

[DAC21]

Are you using the pointed screws?

Curtis maybe you can help kill two birds with one stone for myself and ppeters914. I have a 40 year old baggie with parts labeled "Dash". Do they look correct for the "pointed" screws you mentioned for the Dash?. Is the odd ball screw look correct to attach the mirror mount to the Dash?

Thanks

P1050405.JPG

[ppeters914]

Are you using the pointed screws?

No. I'm using the new screws included w/ the dash pad. The original pointed screws are in "less than optimal" condition.

[ppeters914]

Curtis maybe you can help kill two birds with one stone for myself and ppeters914. I have a 40 year old baggie with parts labeled "Dash". Do they look correct for the "pointed" screws you mentioned for the Dash?. Is the odd ball screw look correct to attach the mirror mount to the Dash?

Thanks

P1050405.JPG

Yes.

[Curtis]

Yes, those are dash screws. They're used for the shift plate and console too among other places. Odd one is probably for the mirror.

I made my own stainless screws. Put two nuts locked together, put it in the drill and spun them against the belt sander. Takes very little time to make a batch.

[Curtis]

Are you using the pointed screws?

No. I'm using the new screws included w/ the dash pad. The original pointed screws are in "less than optimal" condition.

Good luck with that.

[sfdaugherty]

Pete:

You might want to run a tap through all the bolt holes to make it easier.

Shannon

[Curtis]

Didn't you have it powder coated? I ran a tap through all mine since the powder coat gets up in there.

[ppeters914]

Tap ran through and dash bolted/screwed into place without the dash pad so we'd have gauges while we focused on getting car running. That was in August. Just now removed those screws and loosened the bolts (not the top one) in order to install the dash pad.

With Dave's help, we got the front 4 and 4 more started. Going to "point" the remaining screws before trying again.

[Curtis]

Hope they're stainless. As you know once you point them the plating is gone. I doubt however that car will ever see the rain and be tucked safely in the garage. I actually thought about bundling up and going for a ride.

[jamesw]

All good advice. Sounds like you are off to a good start. I got a little u-joint tool that mounts to my cordless trill that lets me angle my driver so that I can use a powertool Best $14 I ever spent!

I just did this recently for SRL #275 with a dash pad that did not have any markings on it for holes. I made a cardboard jig to go along the top so I could mark the holes. Then mounted the dash with no guages and drilled all the hole in the pad. I tapped all of the captive nuts on the car body. Then put the dash in and followed up with all of the screws. You have to have pointed screws or you won't be able to do it.

Good luck and be patient. Besides doing the firewall grommets and cardboard this is THE most horrible part of the restoration.

HTH
James

[DAC21]

Tap ran through and dash bolted/screwed into place without the dash pad so we'd have gauges while we focused on getting car running. That was in August. Just now removed those screws and loosened the bolts (not the top one) in order to install the dash pad.

With Dave's help, we got the front 4 and 4 more started. Going to "point" the remaining screws before trying again.

So eight screws to attach the pad as it came from the factory, or not known yet? I have one of Stan's pads not yet installed. He mention his pads are stiff enough not to need the upper screws. I'm just not sure what that means in terms of lower dash mount screws that will be needed.

[ppeters914]

So eight screws to attach the pad as it came from the factory, or not known yet? I have one of Stan's pads not yet installed. He mention his pads are stiff enough not to need the upper screws. I'm just not sure what that means in terms of lower dash mount screws that will be needed.

No.

There are 6 holes with captured nuts in the body cowl near the windshield frame for attaching the pad. I don't know/remember if all 6 holes were used on the stock pad, but the pad from DatsunParts.com only uses 4. The orange stickers mark where the rear view mirror and tonneau cover twisties go.
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dash_screws2.jpg

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There are 7 holes with captured nuts on the trailing edge of the body cowl for attaching the flat dashboard and pad.
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dash_screws3.jpg

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There are 7 holes with captured nuts on the bottom of the flat dashboard for attaching the pad.

Total = 20 screws. All screws are 10/32. Originals are all 11/16-inch long. 7 of the screws in the DatsunParts.com package are longer at 1-inch for use with a spacer for attaching the pad to the bottom of the flat dashboard. The originals just used a flat washer. The DatsunParts.com package uses split (locking) and flat washers.
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dash_screws1.jpg

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Again, these are just the screws for attaching the pad. There are additional and different fasteners to attach the flat dashboard to the body.

....and, no, I'm not done. Will update once the pad installation is complete.

[GoldHawg]

I have done the flat dash conversion on my 69 but am still building the restomod and thinking about a tonneau cover. Can you use a tonneau cover with the flat dash? If so, I was thinking these screw holes would be where the snaps or twistees would mount. But that's not the case in these pics. Thoughts?