Hello,

After years of looking at the horrible wood added to my dash face I ripped it all off! The radio plate is or was damaged, its old a cracked. I removed the metal face plate and ordered a new "one" from a vendor. I have the correct material as well, all good right? ...

I managed to remove all of the switches, not sure if I can actually reinstall them. However I cannot get the lighter out! I did remove the wiring which was a ****! The lighter is now "free", hanging in the hole, but I cannot get it out of the dash. I cut the old face plate off!

How can I get the lighter housing out and then reinstall? There must be something simple I am missing??

Also the small "handle" for the glove box door is missing, any idea where I can get another one? I have tried the usual suspects for parts to no avail. I might just make one.

Thanks Chris

Any other 14 guys in Houston?

In the early cars, the lighter has a flat metal retaining spring(ish) clip that slides up tight to the back side of the dash. It's a bitch to get off. In the late cars (74 or so) the lighter has a spring that slides down the outside of the lighter tube and has a clip holding the spring in place near where the hot/ground leads connect. Turn the clip until it unlatches and slides off, releasing the spring and the lighter tube.

I took lots of photos of the whole removal and re installing new dash face metal on my 72. Let me know if you need anything. I will get them into a dropbox for you. Just send me a pm

A few pics would be great! PM on the way.

Chris.Carbaugh@Stena.com

That is exactly what I need and makes perfect sense. I have a early car! Thanks!!

It is a sonbisch. You can try to cut the ring with diagonal cutters. Try to avoid the plasma torch unless you really need it. Good luck!

I used a 4 1/2 inch grinder with a cut-off disc to cut the retaining clip/spring/ring.

Of course my dash frame was sitting on a table in my back yard at the time..

Jim

I'm in Sugar Land, but do not have the knowledge you need.

I am in League City just off I-45 and FM 646, 20 miles north of Galveston. Mike

I am in League City just off I-45 and FM 646, 20 miles north of Galveston. Mike

I’d like to see a picture Of the “Horrible Wood Dash” that was on
your car.... I have an ”Amco” Wooden Dash that was installed by
the dealer when my car was new and I could never see the car
being without it..

I'am glad I had no lighter then ,PO removed it I presume its where my fuel gauge is now .
I really hate working behind the dash excess is pretty crap to most things.

The picture solved the riddle for me. I forced it off, gently. I managed to save and reuse the retaining ring. I have an early 6. I then remounted the lighter by using it on the back side of the face plate vice the dash. I pulled the wires through the dash, reconnected and then installed the whole unit on to the dash with double stick tape, as per the factory. The left side was a b***h, I removed the fuse block and snaked my hand up to the backside of the dash for the light switch install. It all just worked. I am pleased with the result.

As for the wood grain dash, it could have very well been added by the dealer. I have had the car for 8 years and the previous owner something like 20 years and I know he did not add it.

send me an email at Christophercarbaugh@gmail.com and I will track down a photo. I think I have one of the old dash.

Thanks for the help Chris

BTW, I am close to downtown. I would goto one of the PCA car weekend coffee sessions if another 914 wants to show up!

Chris

Here is a picture of the dash removed from my car.
It will be going back once the car is put back together.

The script on the glove box door was added by a friend years ago.
This has been with the car since delivered.

I've seen 2, 914-6 and 1, 914-4 copies of this.

Click to view attachment

I took the wood off a few years ago. But it looked very similar. I can't say it was the same. I don't have any of the pieces left

I finally managed to complete the dash. I was disappointed in the repro Radio face plate. I therefore cut out the radio bezel from the old original unit with a bandsaw. Then I took a spare new repro part and carefully removed the bezel with a Dremel tool. I then refitted the radio and the face plate. Once the radio was centered I used epoxy to mount the old bezel within the frame of the new repro part. It took me the better part of a night to do this. Another reason why restoration can be a costly process. I believe the inclusion of the original, worn bezel looks so much better.

I then buffed the very old and tired paint with my new Rupes RA polisher! What a difference, another story.