QuestionSir:
1. Where might I find information on how to disassemble the Dashboard and components. I have two instruments not working and my DB needs to be woodgrained.
2. My car orignally came with a radio and antenna(attached to outside windchield post), but it is not there. Can you tell me wo tha manufacturer was and the Model # of those components?
Best regards
Col. Bobby Morris
email is rgmranger@sbcglobal.net
(210) 494-7733
AnswerI'm afraid there are no manuals that give detailed information on this sort of thing. The instruments come out from behind the panel, and this is not a difficult thing to do, as long as you are small and limber, with good eyesight at short distances. You'll need a good source of light and normal hand tools. Be sure to lable the wires of everything you disconnect. If like me, you are large, old and stiff, with very poor short distance eyesight, you are in big trouble here, you'll need to get your grandson to take it out for you!
There is no need to remove the whole dashboard to re-woodgrain it, although you may be having other work done at the same time which would make it easier on everyone involved. The dashboard is simply bolted in, there is no majic about this, you just have to crawl under there and find the bolts, undo them and lift it out. However, you have to get the wiring harness out of the way first, or else remove it along with the dashboard. That is the hard way, so disconnect all the wires first. Be sure to lable everything!
The radio was made by Philco. Those are only found at swapmeets or from people who specialize in antique car radios. There are a few vendors who can help you - your best source of more information is to pick up a copy of Hemmings Motor News and look in the "services offered" section for radio repair.
These folks often have extra radios for each year in stock. Be prepared to pay mucho dinero, however! You can also try Kanter Brothers - they may be able to help you.
You can also post a Parts Wanted ad in the Packard Club publications - someone out there may have a spare radio - these were often saved when the cars were scrapped. There are always more radios around than there are cars - I have at least one spare for each of my cars, for instance. (no, no 1940 radios, though!)
The antenna does not sound stock if it was mounted to the windshield post - the factory antenna was probably through the roof in the center of the car, just above the windshield. This means your car probably had an aftermarket installation, so it is anybody's guess as to what it looked like.
I wish I could be more helpful here, but you are sort of on your own with this - however, it ain't rocket science, you can see and feel what needs to be done. It's all common sense under there - no special knowledge or tools required.
Dick
