Clock removal in 1977 Cutlass OLDS

Furr442 · 01-29-2007, 08:42 AM

Hi everyone! I'm a new owner of a 1977 Olds Cutlass 442. Hopefully, as I learn more about this beautiful vehicle, I'll be able to contribute. I'm doing minor interior work at the moment, but I don't have any shop manuals yet. Could someone suggest a manuals to assist me with both the interior and one for technical (ie motor, mechanical, etc)? In the meantime, I'm trying "desperately" - believe me when I say desperately ha, trying to figure out how to remove the electric clock in the dash. Help....Does the trim plate in front of the clock come off and if so, how........ Thanks for any assistance - I'll be forever grateful :-) Gene

2blu442 · 01-29-2007, 12:34 PM

Hi Gene
Congrats on the new toy! You should get a 1977 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual. Watch ebay, you should be able to get a 1977 for less than $50 and they're really helpful books! You need to go in from the back to unbolt the gauge pods. I've got loose pods and a 1974 dash in the garage, it would probably be the weekend before I could take photos to post but if it would help you I can do that. The 1973-77 share a lot of parts and I'm pretty sure the pods attach the same in both. John

P.S. if you would post the city/state your in you might find other Olds nuts close by that could help your rebuild.

Furr442 · 01-29-2007, 05:27 PM

I attached a couple pics here. The back of the clock shows what appears to be a nut/washer of some sort on a screw (that came in from the other side).
I tried turning it, however, it doesn't budge which leads me to believe the screw must turn from the front with the wood-grain panel off. However, I have no idea how the panel/trim is removed away from the dash...

duckblaster67 · 01-29-2007, 05:45 PM

I'm really up on 73-77 Chevys, and would have to say by veiwing your pics that I'm guessing that the woodgrain unbolts from the back first to access the clock? Hope that helps???

2blu442 · 01-29-2007, 05:47 PM

OK, that's a different setup than I expected. I'm looking at a 1977 Chassis service manual and here's what it says. Your right about removing the wood grain panel first. "Use two putty knives to pry the panel off, pry above and below the studs shown (in drawing)". They are located at both ends, then spaced equal distances from the ends, both left and right of the clock. Then, "remove clock bolts, pull forward and disconnect electrical connections." If you can wait until you purchase a Chassis Service Manual the drawings are very clear where the fasteners are. John

Furr442 · 01-29-2007, 06:02 PM

Thanks alot for the quick lookup. I will definitely get the 1977 Chassis service manual! Appreciate everyone's time asnd assistance very much. I look forward to many many more chats on the Olds forums.
Gene, Knoxville, Tn.

01-29-2007, 08:42 AM	#1 (permalink)
Furr442 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 12	Clock removal in 1977 Cutlass OLDS Hi everyone! I'm a new owner of a 1977 Olds Cutlass 442. Hopefully, as I learn more about this beautiful vehicle, I'll be able to contribute. I'm doing minor interior work at the moment, but I don't have any shop manuals yet. Could someone suggest a manuals to assist me with both the interior and one for technical (ie motor, mechanical, etc)? In the meantime, I'm trying "desperately" - believe me when I say desperately ha, trying to figure out how to remove the electric clock in the dash. Help....Does the trim plate in front of the clock come off and if so, how........ Thanks for any assistance - I'll be forever grateful :-) Gene

01-29-2007, 12:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 806	Hi Gene Congrats on the new toy! You should get a 1977 Oldsmobile Chassis Service Manual. Watch ebay, you should be able to get a 1977 for less than $50 and they're really helpful books! You need to go in from the back to unbolt the gauge pods. I've got loose pods and a 1974 dash in the garage, it would probably be the weekend before I could take photos to post but if it would help you I can do that. The 1973-77 share a lot of parts and I'm pretty sure the pods attach the same in both. John P.S. if you would post the city/state your in you might find other Olds nuts close by that could help your rebuild. __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

01-29-2007, 05:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
2blu442 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Medford, Oregon Posts: 806	OK, that's a different setup than I expected. I'm looking at a 1977 Chassis service manual and here's what it says. Your right about removing the wood grain panel first. "Use two putty knives to pry the panel off, pry above and below the studs shown (in drawing)". They are located at both ends, then spaced equal distances from the ends, both left and right of the clock. Then, "remove clock bolts, pull forward and disconnect electrical connections." If you can wait until you purchase a Chassis Service Manual the drawings are very clear where the fasteners are. John __________________ 1964 Cutlass Factory 4spd 1965 442 4spd 1967 442 Auto 1967 Cutlass Convertible 1968 442 Auto 1969 442 W30 Auto 1970 442 4spd 1971 Cutlass Flat Top Wagon 1973 Che*vy 3/4 Ton 454/TH400 Tow Vehicle Only the tow vehicle is finished!

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01-29-2007, 05:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
duckblaster67 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: South Dakota Posts: 23	I'm really up on 73-77 Chevys, and would have to say by veiwing your pics that I'm guessing that the woodgrain unbolts from the back first to access the clock? Hope that helps???

01-29-2007, 06:02 PM	#6 (permalink)
Furr442 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 12	Thanks alot for the quick lookup. I will definitely get the 1977 Chassis service manual! Appreciate everyone's time asnd assistance very much. I look forward to many many more chats on the Olds forums. Gene, Knoxville, Tn.