1949 P15 Restoration -- Maine

[ssnowden]

Impressive woodgraining. It looks real.

[steveplym]

Starting to strip the dash trim off, to complete the woodgraining,

How does the trim around the gauge cluster come off?

Should have fasteners on the back side, once you get the dash out it comes off pretty easy.

[MaineP15]

I dont intend to take the dash out if I can help it! I dont believe I have a need to.

 

Removed the drivers side window crank mechanism, the crank gears are stripped, and removed the passengers side window to replace the cracked glass.

 

Here are some photos. I also found some coinage behind the dash, but not enough to buy 4 white wall tires.

 

 

 

[greg g]

Different looking heater.  Details???

[BobT-47P15]

Looking good.  From the pics it reminds me of a P15 I had once that was a sort of blue-green. 

All that stuff will come off the dash - all you gotta do is stand on your head and look under there....

been there, done that.     I recently acquired a N O S P15 radio grille I'd like to install but not

looking forward to the gymnastics.    

[MaineP15]

Greg,

the heater is a Tropic-Aire it has 2 sliding selectors, one on the front and one on the left both say heater and defroster.

I cant find any pictures of the specific one on the interwebs.

I will take a few pics tonight when I'm out there and post. It does not look like the unit is actually hooked up, and I briefly tried to slide the sliders but they didn't move, although it was only a half-hearted try.

[MaineP15]

Here are pictures of the Tropic-Aire

 

 

[greg g]

Is the exterior plastic???  

[MaineP15]

I would say the exterior of it is bakelite.

[steveplym]

Looking good. From the pics it reminds me of a P15 I had once that was a sort of blue-green.

All that stuff will come off the dash - all you gotta do is stand on your head and look under the dash

been there, done that. I recently acquired a N O S P15 radio grille I'd like to install but not

looking forward to the gymnastics.

I hear that Bob. Last time I replaced my wiper motor I got quite a headache. Too much blood rushing to my head.

Edited October 11, 2013 by steveplym

[Young Ed]

Bob the speaker grill isn't too bad. Do you have a radio? Clock? Those complicate it some. You still don't need to pull apart and of the dash stainless. The radio grill is held in by tabs at the top and then gets sandwiched between the dash and the chrome control panel for the ignition etc.

[greg g]

Removing the lower cushion from the seat, and putting down a thick blanket, old quilt or moving pad, makes under dash work a bit more reasonable.

[Don Coatney]

Removing the lower cushion from the seat, and putting down a thick blanket, old quilt or moving pad, makes under dash work a bit more reasonable.

 

One disadvantage of a T-5

 

[MaineP15]

Yes, standing on your head is a must.

I have everything off except the trim around the speedometer cluster.

I can get the screws out on the right hand side (as you see it standing on your head)

But I don't see how to get to the screws on the left side.

It looks like the gauge cluster is holding it on place....

[GlennCraven]

A little late saying so, but I agree that the wood graining looks fantastic.

[Young Ed]

Yes, standing on your head is a must.

I have everything off except the trim around the speedometer cluster.

I can get the screws out on the right hand side (as you see it standing on your head)

But I don't see how to get to the screws on the left side.

It looks like the gauge cluster is holding it on place....

 

There are some screws across the top. The cluster doesn't hold the chrome trim on. You can see a couple of the fastners in this pic.