I can't believe my luck -- I found a 1970/69 142

with a perfect dashboard. Not a single crack in

the pad, the radio hole hadn't been made larger to

hold a modern radio, etc. Even the thingy that holds

the emergency flasher in place was 100% intact.

How do I keep it from cracking? Where it lives

it gets to be very hot in the summer. Should I

put a pad over it? Is there something I can smear

on it to keep it from cracking?

Also, does anyone have any hints on how to

swap the dashboards?

Lastly, does volvo still sell the plastic

liner around the inside of the windshield? I'm

afraid I may break the old one in removing it

(the one from the 142 disintegrated as I took

it off). Also what kind of light bulbs go

in the light up the heater / vent / floor

spinny thingy?

Thanks,

chris

I checked on the IPD website and they have pads for around $40.00 That's the route I'd take...mine is uncracked as well and I'm about to order one.

I'll second Michael's Armor-All suggestion. My experience with several old Volvo's is that if you spritz it on an nice old dull uncracked dash you'll have a shiny cracked dash within a year or two. Just wipe them off with a damp cloth. Perhaps there are products out there that actually help the dash (instead of just making it shiny) but Armor All isn't one of them.

That's my $0.02, anyhow...

Can't help you on removing the dash, but whatever you do don't put Armor All on the dash. It will dry it out (regardless of what the bottle says).

Your best bet is to go to an auto parts store that sells those carpeted dash mats for "regular" cars and try to find one that is very close to your dash, then you can cut it down and have the cut ends sewn by almost any sewing shop. Or you can go to a carpet warehouse and buy a thin piece of carpet that matches your interior, cut it to fit, then have a sewing shop sew the ends so they don't fray. If all you are going for is something to keep the dash healthy on a day to day basis then this is your best bet.

You could also go the route of the reflective window things that you put in cars to keep the sun out, but if you are like me then you'll stow it in the trunk and never use it!

Mike

72 142E

Hello Chris!!!

There is a pair of tricky, blind fasteners holding the dash-pad,

at the extreme right & left ends. They are threaded studs that fit

into holes in the metal structure. Teeny-weeny nuts are torqued-down

tight on the studs. Your hand must go up/in/back/around to loosen

the little devils. A quarter-inch drive, deep-socket, size 3/8, is

the tool of choice here. Colorful vocabulary is optional.

Don't be tempted to smear Vaseline on the dash; it will only

turn liquid and run in the heat. A thin mat is your best sun-beater,

and you'll probably have to cut it yourself; I don't think any of

the dash-mat firms have patterns for early 140/160 anymore.

Is this good pad going into your 70 164???