Dash removal

[HappyMom]

How do I go about removing the dash? I didn't see any screws anywhere except for the smaller panels such instrument cluster.

I will have dash heat. I may need to put a solar panel on the roof to charge an auxiliary battery to run a hair dryer, but I will have dash heat!

[SimonTuffGuy]

Here's the best way I've found to remove the dash... Remove everything on it you can(You don't need to, but it's easier this way) - That includes the glove compartment, gauge cluster, heating panel(Described below - this one must be removed), CD or tape player (This will make it much easier for the heating panel to be removed), etc... Remember to remove the screws in the fuse panel, I forgot to do this, couldn't figure out where I was catching on and cracked my windshield because of it...

Now then, there are three bolts in the top of the dash, you'll need to pop off the covers, the ones on the sides of the top you'll need a wrench that can bend crooked. On the sides of the dash there are two bolts there, one on each side. Again, pop the covers off and remove... There are several under the dash too, I forget how many though. That hold it in place on the 90-93 versions.

Heating panel wires:
One on the drivers side for heat or cold
One on the opposite side for where the heat is directed
One on the far passenger side behind the glove compartment for fresh air

You can also drop your steering column if you want. I never did in any of my cars, it just makes more for you to pull over when you take the dash out.

And finally... Good luck... My ideas were to use the Aspire heat setup, as that has heat on the vents. I'm not sure on the similarities between the Festiva/Aspire heater core tho...

Simon

[HappyMom]

Dash Removal

Thanks Simon, your detailed instructions will sure be handy

My idea is to re-route the passenger floor vent to the dash centre console vent, probably using an old vacuum cleaner hose.

Dash removal looks like it's gonna be the toughest part

[qaking]

Happy Mom, this will not be as easy as you make it sound. The dash vents are all inter-connected. The fan is physically located directly behind the center dash vents, with a flapper door that is closed to push unheated air thru the heater core and out of the defrost ducts or floor vents. When the flapper door is open the unheated air is directed straight out of the dash vents. You may be able to re-route some heated air from one or both sides of the floor vent into the dash vent ducting, but unless you seal off both sides of the floor vents, the path of least resistance will still be thru the other floor vent. I looked at this problem in detail this past weekend, as I have the dash and heater assembly removed from my parts car. I can email you some pictures which might save you the work of removing your dash.

[SimonTuffGuy]

Kevin - I still say that we compare to the Aspire heating assembly and see what can be done.

Simon

[HappyMom]

Bummer :x But at least I don't have to remove the whole dash to figure out what it looks like and how it works back there Pictures would be much appreciated...

I never use the floor vents, and you're right, I would need to seal both off if I want any of the air to come back up to the dash. I don't want to punch holes in the dash to make new vents cause that will look real ugly.

So perhaps the Aspire heater core is the way to go...

What was Ford thinking, did they want to emulate the Beatle

[qaking]

Simon/Happymom,

I have not given up on the idea, I just lack an aspire to take apart for comparison. I was already looking at grafting some of the ducting from my parts car onto the floor heater duct, similar as to what Happymom had suggested doing with dryer hose. If someone has an aspire parts car and can snap some pictures, we may be able to figure this one out!
:idea:

[modernbeat]

You don't have to have an Aspire to take apart. All you need is for your local pick-n-pull to have one. Bring a camera but keep it under wraps - they don't like them. Go early and disassemble it in the yard, take pics, and they purchase any parts that might come in handy for the Festive.

And most important...

Report back what you find.

[SimonTuffGuy]

Because my $600 camera is worth getting lost in the junkyard... :lol:

I know how it is to just lose tools, I would flip out if I left my camera behind or smashed it up...

We'll see the next time I hitup a yard...

Simon

[HappyMom]

HEAT!

Kevin, Simon:

Do you guys have A/C in your car? From what I've been told, the heater core and A/C core are stacked. If understood Kevin's description correctly, if the A/C is after the fan then you would only have A/C on the floor and defrost which makes no sense. :?:

I sill plan on taking the dash apart to take a peak, at the same time I change out my instrument cluster.... Simon, I didn't here from you on this, if there's something wrong?

Claire

[SimonTuffGuy]

Claire - Sorry, I've been busy, busy, busy with work. I did get the MO and I have your box made, I just need to pack it away and get it shipped. I'm checking into shipping with the post office (Since I never sent anything which needed forms filled out), but it should be mailing tomorrow to you!

Simon

[qaking]

Claire,

I do not have a/c in my cars.
I'm not familiar with the a/c set up.