How easy is it to change odometer ?

[bojvette]

HOW EASY IS IT TO CHANGE THE ODOMETER ON THE 1972 CORVETTE ??
DO I HAVE TO TAKE THE DASH ALMOST OUT ?

IF SO THEN I WILL CHANGE MY TACHOMETER CABLE IT HAS BEEN BROKEN FOR THE PAST 15 YEARS


WINTER THINGS TO DO *

[gtr1999]

Yes you have to pull the dash out , then the speedo head from the dash and work on the head.

[72SBVet]

I'll upload pictures of the back of the gauges as I'm pulling all my wiring and interior so that the outside and inside will be painted and cleared at the same time. If you you pull the ds dash completely out it's best to remove the steering column as it makes it 10 times easier to do so.

[walleyfisher]

Hard is relvent to skills

Taking the dash out completly is not required but by the time you do this you might as well have

You will have to remove both winshield A-piller paddings (2 screws each)
You will have to remove the top dash pad (3 screws driver side)(1 screw wiper switch) (3 screws passenger side)
you will have to remove the steering colum echelon (3 screws)
Remove the manual overide buttons below the steering colum (2 screws)
you will have to remove the screws between the dash pad and the door jam (3 screws)
You will have to remove the screws between the center guage bezel and the dash pad (3 screws)

Reach behind the speedometer and the tachometer and undo the spring keepers and disconnect BOTH cables

Now you can "pull down" the dash pad towards your knees to give yourself a little more room. Be carfull of the points of the dash pad that contacts the center console

If you look closley there are (I think) 3 screws holding the speedometer to the dash(its been a while). Be gental they are only screwed into plastic.

The main harness looks a little daughting but it is held against the back of the dash pad with those bendable straps that are fastened to the tachometer and the speedometer

Don't be a bull in a china shop and its not that bad really. I would guess if you know where all the screws are on the dash it will take you most of 5 hours start to finish. Just make sure you familarize your self with ALL the screws holding the dash to the car.

[ddregehr]

Originally Posted by walleyfisher

Hard is relvent to skills

Taking the dash out completly is not required but by the time you do this you might as well have

You will have to remove both winshield A-piller paddings (2 screws each)
You will have to remove the top dash pad (3 screws driver side)(1 screw wiper switch) (3 screws passenger side)
you will have to remove the steering colum echelon (3 screws)
Remove the manual overide buttons below the steering colum (2 screws)
you will have to remove the screws between the dash pad and the door jam (3 screws)
You will have to remove the screws between the center guage bezel and the dash pad (3 screws)

Reach behind the speedometer and the tachometer and undo the spring keepers and disconnect BOTH cables

Now you can "pull down" the dash pad towards your knees to give yourself a little more room. Be carfull of the points of the dash pad that contacts the center console

If you look closley there are (I think) 3 screws holding the speedometer to the dash(its been a while). Be gental they are only screwed into plastic.

The main harness looks a little daughting but it is held against the back of the dash pad with those bendable straps that are fastened to the tachometer and the speedometer

Don't be a bull in a china shop and its not that bad really. I would guess if you know where all the screws are on the dash it will take you most of 5 hours start to finish. Just make sure you familarize your self with ALL the screws holding the dash to the car.

Just off the top of your head and you've never done it before.

[6880 Mike]

Touch base with your DMV before you start taking things apart. In some locations, it is against the law to tamper with or change an odometer.

Better safe than sorry.

[AirbornSilva]

Originally Posted by 6880 Mike

Touch base with your DMV before you start taking things apart. In some locations, it is against the law to tamper with or change an odometer.

Better safe than sorry.

Good point but I believe that because our Vette's are classics they have an odometer exemption, I know Texas is like that and I believe that Virgina is like that too.

[Bill Davies]

Wally's description is a good one. Only things I would add is that taking it out is pretty easy. Putting it back is a PITA due to wrestling the wire harness.

I'd suggest grabbing a few extra light bulbs before you start reassembly because I broke one putting it back in.

Also, the bulb wires will be color coded and the color will be stamped on the back of the gauge pods making it easy. However, there are several grey ones so I'd mark where each of those go. All the grays are on the same circuit so it really doesn't matter, but the wires are different lengths so getting a couple in the wrong spot could make it an adventure when you go to lift the dash pad back into its mounting points. Pulling a wire out of the bulb socket burns a fair amount of time.

[gtr1999]

At one time you could buy a new speedo head from GM. I bought one 30 years ago for my 69, swapped the face for the original green numerials and it worked for years.

I now have a source I may offer guys for rebuilding gauges. This guy has boxes of vette gauge and the equipment to calibrate them. He used to be at Carlisle years ago doing them there.

[72SBVet]

The famous Corvette clock guy lives in my town and I know his brother or cousin....can't remember which. If you ever want to do a rebuild on it I can get info and pricing

[72SBVet]