Classic/Antique Car Repair: 71 El camino speedo, chevelle el camino, 71 el camino

Question
Need to replace my speedometer...no clue how to get to it.
I have a 1971 El Camino SS..3 round gauges   left is Tach  center is Speedo right is clock
Please help

Answer
Hello Clayton,

It's best if you consult the Chevelle/El Camino shop manual published by GM for the exact procedure to do this. The reason is that this can be a rather involved operation to get to the gauge both from the front of the instrument cluster and from underneath.  The guys that designed these things certainly weren't thinking of the poor guy repairing them! The shop manual (not Chiltons or Motors--too general) will give you both diagrams showing where everything is attached and the sequence of what to remove to git er done!

You can find shop manuals on-line free at the oldcarmanual project.com and some libraries. Pay sites include many of the aftermarket parts suppliers like Year One or private sellers (see hemmingsmotornews.com) or sites like Ebay. If you're going to keep the car, the shop manual is a worthwhile investment that will be worth its weight in gold when trouble strikes.

Good luck,

Bob