<VV> Late Model (65-66) Instrument Cluster Removal

[Bill H.]

                                                                                                 B"H
After struggling with trying to remove the dash cluster on my 66 Monza, I found two areas that can be madding:  First, removing the retaining nut that holds the Powerglide shifter cable to the shifter mechansim, and second, maneuvering the cluster out of the dash after all connections have been removed (part of the Powerglide shifter gets in the way, again), the steering wheel removed, and the clamp under the column (held by two large bolts) removed to allow the cluster to clear the steering column.  I suspect owners of manual shift cars don't have these hassles, but I found one tip for owners of late 65 and 66 automatic models that makes it easier to slide the cluster out of the dash:
Remove the three bolts that hold the steering column flange to the floor.  This allows the column to be lowered even further, thus letting you slide the cluster out of the dash without a struggle or scratching the paint.
Regarding removing the retaining nut for the Powerglide cable, the best answer I could find was to put it back on finger tight only (after holding it firmly to the shifter mechanism) so the next time you need to remove it, you only need to use your fingers (or a screwdriver to move it slightly) to remove it next time.
If anyone has better suggestions, I'd be interested to hear.  I removed my dash to repaint it and make minor repairs.
I love my car, but I wish the designers had built the Powerglide cars with a nice console and floor shifter instead of that dash thingy!  And a Park position would have been nice too.  But hey, you can't have everything!
Best wishes...Bill Hershkowitz   66 Monza Sport Sedan 110/PG/AC