Under dash and Firewall

This past weekend, 08/17-19/2018, my youngest son John and I went about removing most of the stuff remaining on the firewall, e.g., horns, heater box, windshield washer tank and associated hardware, voltage regulator, fuses and mounting hardware.

• John working on the Windshield Washer unit hardware.

• John removing the Horns

• Most of the firewall is bare.

• Only some heater hose plumbing left to remove.

While John was working on the firewall I went about the business of removing the stuff on and under the dashboard.

Just so you all know, I really dislike dashboard work, even when I was a full-time auto mechanic I despised working under the dash. I find it some of the vilest work one must do on automobiles.

You are constantly laying on your back and straining your neck, crap always seems to fall into your eyes even while wearing eye protection. IT SUCKS! There’s no room to do anything, the screws are always in the most difficult places to reach for whatever you need to accomplish, did I tell you that I dislike it? I think I did.

Ok, bitching aside I did remove most of the dashboard items, gauge cluster, radio, glove box door, and fuse box. I still have several items to remove e.g., glove box trim, other knobs switch chrome hardware and I plan on getting to them this week.

• Gauge cluster removed.

• Just a few knobs, one piece of chrome, and some wiring to be removed yet.

• Firewall heat and noise shield removed

I wanted to remove the dashboard completely, but it appears that Pontiac in their infinite wisdom in 1950 decided that the dashboard should be welded into the car on the ""A" Pillar" so the dashboard will be staying in place, for now.

Anyone want to purchase a 1950’s Pontiac AM radio? It’s a big ole heavy beast I can attest to that.

• 1950 Original Pontiac Tube Radio

• 1950 Original Pontiac Tube Radio side view

I may also part with the fuse box and cover from under the dashboard.

• Fuse box cover

• Fuse Box cover and fuse holder

I’m still debating on whether I want to part with the steering column and steering wheel, but as of right now I’ll be keeping that.

I'm still a little tepid about removing the chrome around the window because I don't want to bend the chrome or break the window, though I did remove the decorative chrome at the bottom of the front window, but that was screwed to the cowling and the bolts were accessible under the dashboard.

• All chrome at the bottom of the window removed.

Please be sure to check my Store Page as I will be adding things that I will not be using in the rebuild due to being outdated and needs to be upgraded or I just don't have a use for it in the rebuild.

On another note and I’ll have to do my own research, but does anyone know how much of the 6V stuff I can still use when changing over to a 12V system?

Until next time, peace be with you all.