Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? #1722456
01/05/15 05:41 PM
01/05/15 05:41 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
S
Steve Bryant Offline OP
mopar
Steve Bryant  Offline OP
mopar
S

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
So I think I have collected all the parts I need to rip out, clean and restore my '70 Cuda Interior. Before I start pulling seats and taking the dash apart I wanted to check with the smart folks here to see if there is a common overlooked item or process I need to be worried about.

My goal is to strip and wire wheel all the metal down and recoat. I am changing into a Rallye Dash (already back from AutoInstruments) and I have a new under-dash wiring harness. I have decided on the 80/20 jute backed carpet. Heater box is already rebuilt and I re-covered the seats a month or so ago so I am not expecting any surprises but this is the first time I have ripped out an E-Body interior all the way to the metal.

I plan to add a small amount of Dynomat here and there but everything else will be put back as close to factory as possible.

Anything I need to be worried about?

Thanks folks.

-Steve

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Steve Bryant] #1722457
01/05/15 06:38 PM
01/05/15 06:38 PM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,371
Iowa
burdar Offline
Owen's Dad
burdar  Offline
Owen's Dad

Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,371
Iowa
Take the dash out as a complete assembly. It's much easier to work on when it's upside down on a bench. Unplug the bulkhead connector and drop the steering column. Then it's just four bolts at the base of the windshield and one behind each kick panel.

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: burdar] #1722458
01/05/15 07:23 PM
01/05/15 07:23 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,654
Hamtramck, PA
A
Alaskan_TA Offline
Fluffy Balladeer
Alaskan_TA  Offline
Fluffy Balladeer
A

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 29,654
Hamtramck, PA
A wire wheel alone can burnish the metal to the point that primer may not stick to it for very long. A few adhesion failures have been mentioned here & on other forums over the years.

So, if you do use that method be sure to do a final prep with sandpaper to rough up the metal.

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: burdar] #1722459
01/05/15 09:24 PM
01/05/15 09:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
S
Steve Bryant Offline OP
mopar
Steve Bryant  Offline OP
mopar
S

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
Great tip. I would very much like to take the whole thing at once. Then I could put the entire assembly on a bench and take my time.

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Alaskan_TA] #1722460
01/05/15 09:27 PM
01/05/15 09:27 PM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
S
Steve Bryant Offline OP
mopar
Steve Bryant  Offline OP
mopar
S

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
Thanks for the tip. I will run some sandpaper across the metal and then acetone and a self-etching primer. Hopefully that will do the trick.

I would normally blast the parts with sand or glass beads but since this is the interior I am afraid I would get sand in more places than I would like!

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Steve Bryant] #1722461
01/05/15 09:46 PM
01/05/15 09:46 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,120
Chicago Blackhawks
H
hemicar1971 Offline
master
hemicar1971  Offline
master
H

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,120
Chicago Blackhawks
Take pictures of each piece you take apart so if you have to take a break from pulling it apart and putting it back together you will have something to go back to for a reminder on how it was before you took it apart.


1971 HEMI E BODY REGISTRY
Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: hemicar1971] #1722462
01/05/15 10:22 PM
01/05/15 10:22 PM
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,951
northwest USA
N
NANKET Offline
master
NANKET  Offline
master
N

Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,951
northwest USA
The biggest thing I see by reading your post is, don't rip out the interior, try to remove it by taking out the attaching bolts and screws. It will be much easier to remove and damage way less parts

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: hemicar1971] #1722463
01/05/15 10:51 PM
01/05/15 10:51 PM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,740
Florida
BDW Online content
master
BDW  Online Content
master

Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,740
Florida
Quote:

Take pictures of each piece you take apart so if you have to take a break from pulling it apart and putting it back together you will have something to go back to for a reminder on how it was before you took it apart.




Excellent advice and also put all nuts/bolts in baggies and label.
No matter how sure you are, time passes and memory fades.

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: BDW] #1722464
01/06/15 12:55 AM
01/06/15 12:55 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,798
Castlegar, BC, Canada
That AMC Guy Offline
master
That AMC Guy  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,798
Castlegar, BC, Canada
If you're a bit pedantic like me and you prefer a nice solid, quiet ride; invest in some Dynamat (or FatMat) and a couple rolls of adhesive backed foam insulating tape.

Dynamat your interior roof, package tray, inside the doors, floors, firewall - everywhere. For the few extra pounds you'll gain in weight, the quiet and insulation will make the car much more pleasurable to drive.

Plastic tends to rattle. E-body interiors are similar to AMC Javelin interiors with a lot of plastic. The adhesive backed foam insulating tape is great for insulating parts that will come into direct contact with each other or the metal body. There are tons of thicknesses to choose from, so get a good assortment.

Between the Dynamat and the insulation, your car will ride like a Cadillac!


Bloody Mary, Full of Vodka, Blessed art thou among cocktails....

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: That AMC Guy] #1722465
01/06/15 01:27 AM
01/06/15 01:27 AM
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Good Ole USA
D
djw383 Offline
member
djw383  Offline
member
D

Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 72
Good Ole USA
Build a stand for your dash assembly out of 2x4's, otherwise it is awkward to work on.

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: That AMC Guy] #1722466
01/06/15 11:11 AM
01/06/15 11:11 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
S
Steve Bryant Offline OP
mopar
Steve Bryant  Offline OP
mopar
S

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
Thanks for the tip Rambler. I ordered about 20 Square Feet of Dynomat and planned to use it sparingly. I don't like squeaking but road and engine noise doesn't bother me. Also, I don't want the Dynomat to be seen or for the future owner to think I was trying to cover up some rust or metal defects. Foam tape is an excellent idea for plastic parts. My current dash rattles and pops so much I keep imaging engine problems when I turn up the radio!

Could I cut the Dynomat into strips to use instead of foam tape? Also, what did the factory use?

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: djw383] #1722467
01/06/15 11:12 AM
01/06/15 11:12 AM
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
S
Steve Bryant Offline OP
mopar
Steve Bryant  Offline OP
mopar
S

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 518
Georgia
Great idea about the bench and about taking my time to remove everything carefully, take photos and bag and tag the parts.

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Steve Bryant] #1722468
01/06/15 12:35 PM
01/06/15 12:35 PM
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,954
Blairsden, CA
T
Triggerfish Offline
top fuel
Triggerfish  Offline
top fuel
T

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,954
Blairsden, CA
Steve, when I did my Challenger, I got my repop metal rallye dash bezels from Performance Car Graphics as well as other decals they produce. Their website has a wealth of resto info & I learned a lot just talking to them on the phone, like the differences in woodgrain on the E bodies. If you go to their website, www.performancecargraphics.com and click on their catalog link, http://www.performancecargraphics.com/images/Catalog/Catalog3.pdf, scroll down to pg 33, you'll find some good dash cluster info.
I'll definitely be using them for my 64 belvedere cluster. Also ditto on tagging & bagging everything with photos so important details aren't forgotten. Best wishes on your resto.http://www.performancecargraphics.com/Catalog.htm

Last edited by Triggerfish; 01/06/15 12:37 PM.
Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: burdar] #1722469
01/10/15 12:51 AM
01/10/15 12:51 AM
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 792
Earth
R
Rob C Offline
super stock
Rob C  Offline
super stock
R

Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 792
Earth
How do you take the dash out of a Cuda/Challenger as a whole unit?

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Rob C] #1722470
01/10/15 01:06 AM
01/10/15 01:06 AM
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
HemiRick Offline
master
HemiRick  Offline
master

Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,848
Memphis
Steps to remove dash:

1)Open Hood
2)Remove four plugged wire harnesses from bulk head
3)Remove two nuts holding bulkhead in place
4)Open doors
5)Remove A piller trim and associated trim
6)Remove Kick Panels and associated trim
7)Unplug both door jamb light switches
8)Unplug E Brake warning wire
9)Unplug tail light harness
10)Unplug dimmer Switch
11)Reach up and unplug heater box
12)Unplug console light
13)Disconnect antenna
14)At the heater control, disconnect both heater cables
15)Unplug both steering coloumn harnesses
16)Unplug brake pedal switch, both wires
17)Undo both vent cables and let them hang
18)Remove 3 steering column bolts at firewall
19)Remove to nuts on steering column at the dash
20)Lower column and allow to hang
20.5 - Disconnect speedometer cable
21)Remove 4 bolts at windshield using a 1/4 drive flex
22)Remove 2 bolts at door pillars
23)Prepare for a heavy dash to fall on your lap
24)Yell to wife for help
25) Have a cold beer, you're done


Take care,
Rick
68 Coronet R/T 440 & 68 Charger 528 Hemi,and 5 Challengers! 6 cyl, 318, 360, 383, 451
Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Steve Bryant] #1722471
01/10/15 02:25 AM
01/10/15 02:25 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,798
Castlegar, BC, Canada
That AMC Guy Offline
master
That AMC Guy  Offline
master

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,798
Castlegar, BC, Canada
Quote:

Could I cut the Dynomat into strips to use instead of foam tape?




No. Dynamat is an asphalt based product and is more for sound deadening and insulation.

The reason I like the foam is because it's springy. If you compress it a little, it will try to spring back thereby tightening up whatever panel you're screwing down - such as a door panel.
Around the dash up under the windshield wouldn't hurt either. I also use some in my Javelin between the bottom of the console and the console brackets. I used thin stuff there, but it kept my console from creaking.


Quote:

Also, what did the factory use?




Nothing, to my knowledge.


Bloody Mary, Full of Vodka, Blessed art thou among cocktails....

Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: HemiRick] #1722472
01/10/15 02:55 AM
01/10/15 02:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,396
chicago,il
jaque Offline
pro stock
jaque  Offline
pro stock

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,396
chicago,il
Quote:

Steps to remove dash:

1)Open Hood
2)Remove four plugged wire harnesses from bulk head
3)Remove two nuts holding bulkhead in place
4)Open doors
5)Remove A piller trim and associated trim
6)Remove Kick Panels and associated trim
7)Unplug both door jamb light switches
8)Unplug E Brake warning wire
9)Unplug tail light harness
10)Unplug dimmer Switch
11)Reach up and unplug heater box
12)Unplug console light
13)Disconnect antenna
14)At the heater control, disconnect both heater cables
15)Unplug both steering coloumn harnesses
16)Unplug brake pedal switch, both wires
17)Undo both vent cables and let them hang
18)Remove 3 steering column bolts at firewall
19)Remove to nuts on steering column at the dash
20)Lower column and allow to hang
20.5 - Disconnect speedometer cable
21)Remove 4 bolts at windshield using a 1/4 drive flex
22)Remove 2 bolts at door pillars
23)Prepare for a heavy dash to fall on your lap
24)Yell to wife for help
25) Have a cold beer, you're done




oustanding breakdown thank you...


you come here with nothing and leave here with nothing!! enjoy life while on this planet, cuz when youre dead youre dead!!!
Re: Any tips or tricks to E-Body Interior Restoration? [Re: Steve Bryant] #1722473
01/11/15 12:46 AM
01/11/15 12:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,498
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
J
JDMopar Offline
master
JDMopar  Offline
master
J

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,498
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
If you take the dash out as an assembly, be careful with the end of your ratchet handle to keep it from hitting the windshield. Also, make sure you have a good bare metal connection between the dash frame and the car body. I always sand both the dash frame and body, where it bolts up behind the kick panel. Be sure to check your switch panel to see which screw goes to a ground bar for the entire switch mount. All of the switches ground thru that one screw. If you don't get a good ground from the switch panel to the dash frame, and then from the dash frame to the car body.....your lights and wipers will act Oh...and did I mention 'Don't bust the windshield with the ratchet handle' ? Good luck, and have fun.







Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1