'81 Power Brake Unit Help

Need to replace the power brake unit on my '81 coupe. At first glance it
doesn't appear that easy as the mounting bolts are buried on the firewall up
behind the instrument cluster. Could anyone tell me if it's any benefit to
remove the intstrument cluster or is my only choice to fight the harness and
switch mess up in the dash? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Gary Golden

Gary B. Golden wrote:
> Need to replace the power brake unit on my '81 coupe. At first glance it
> doesn't appear that easy as the mounting bolts are buried on the firewall up
> behind the instrument cluster. Could anyone tell me if it's any benefit to
> remove the intstrument cluster or is my only choice to fight the harness and
> switch mess up in the dash? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
>
> Gary Golden
>
>
>
I'm speaking from ignorance, not wisdom, but is it possible the mounting
bolts go into nuts welded to a plate bonded to the inside of the
firewall (or there are studs extending out of the firewall from a
plate), so that you don't need to reach up under the dash, just unbolt
from the engine side. Doesn't seem logical that Chevy would have
designed a power brake setup that required removal of the instrument
cluster, but I suppose it's possible.

WayneC wrote:
> Gary B. Golden wrote:
>
>> Need to replace the power brake unit on my '81 coupe. At first glance it
>> doesn't appear that easy as the mounting bolts are buried on the
>> firewall up
>> behind the instrument cluster. Could anyone tell me if it's any
>> benefit to
>> remove the intstrument cluster or is my only choice to fight the
>> harness and
>> switch mess up in the dash? Any words of wisdom would be appreciated.
>>
>> Gary Golden
>>
>>
>>
> I'm speaking from ignorance, not wisdom, but is it possible the mounting
> bolts go into nuts welded to a plate bonded to the inside of the
> firewall (or there are studs extending out of the firewall from a
> plate), so that you don't need to reach up under the dash, just unbolt
> from the engine side. Doesn't seem logical that Chevy would have
> designed a power brake setup that required removal of the instrument
> cluster, but I suppose it's possible.

Remembered I have a Chilton's manual that covers the 81, but
interestingly it doesn't ever even mention the PB booster or cover power
brakes; it does mention that the non PB master cylinder is held in place
on by nuts on firewall studs, so perhaps the booster is held the same way.