Another way to remove dash pad bolts on 68-70 WITHOUT removing the Windshield

[mraitch]

Take 1 7/16 socket (SMALL) - grind 4 flats at 90 degrees (this is to save drill bit 'wander')

drill two holes all the way through socket at 90 degrees - this allows you to turn a 1/4 each time

Shave the socket so that it still retains the shape, but the walls are extremely thin - this allows for tight fitting between the bolts and the pad.

Insert something ( I used a screwdriver) to rotate the bolt - and voila - undone.

The only problem I found is finding bits to drill the holes.

I actually used a 7/16 from a cheap Harbor Freight set, because I found that the 'usual' sockets are too hard for drills to penetrate.

Especially useful on the tight end bolts.

Takes about 10-15 minutes to remove all 7

Now for the fun part.

[noel saubers]

Recently bought a 69 and have not been able to bring the car back to Wisconsin. Noticed in this post that the socket is not a metric size to remove the dash. Stupid question, are the Datsun cars all standard wrenches and not metric?

[mraitch]

As a 'general' rule chassis/body nuts/bolts are SAE, engine stuff is Metric - but you NEVER really know. On the larger sizes PO's have used SAE, since if the pitch matches, they are 'interchangeable'

Check out carpartsmanual.com for online manuals.

[noel saubers]

Glad I noticed this today as I was in the process of getting rid of excess junk. I put all my standard tools in the give-away box at the house. With years of German cars, never used the complete set of tools from Sears that I bought over 30 years ago. I have a better understanding of the word, "assume," however the donkey on both sides of this issue is just me.

[spl310]

Glad I noticed this today as I was in the process of getting rid of excess junk. I put all my standard tools in the give-away box at the house.

Rule number 1 of tools. NEVER get rid of tools unless you are upgrading in quality.

[Lorna c]

Glad I noticed this today as I was in the process of getting rid of excess junk. I put all my standard tools in the give-away box at the house.

Rule number 1 of tools. NEVER get rid of tools unless you are upgrading in quality.

more like dead . haha still need drop tools .
I'm getting ready to pull dash to get to clock soon . this couldn't have come at a better time . I was wondering how to get around removing the windshield. . yessss.

[Lorna c]

thanks for the idea ! at first I couldn't drill the holes either but I had shaved it so short it fits into the corners easily with this small vice . small regular pliers work after you break the seal ,so to speak.. to finish faster but this makes it easy to start them . whOoHoO now I can get to my clock !