pokegama

I pulled my pod to change the bulbs to led's and took the dash out to get it recovered.
What are the things I should change out or upgrade while the dash is out? It's a 81 with a 5 speed.

hacker-pschorr

I'll be paying close attention since the dash is due to come out of my 80 sooner than later.

Imo000

Have a really good look at the HVAC actuator diaphragms. Replace the cabin temperature sensor (or get the 3D printed replacement part). Can't think of anything else at the moment.

M. Requin

^+1 to the diaphragms, and have a look to see if there has been any water leakage around the heater box.

Koenig-Specials 928

There is also a grounds cluster behind the pod. Clean them.

ltoolio

I gave the body metal behind it a good washing, as there was 30th years of crap that accumulated on it. Hoped it might remove a little bit of the old car stick.

Also replaced the heat insulation (or was it vibration?) as the old horse hair wss crumbled and smelly.

Randy V

Clean out the evaporator and associated ducting.

RDON

Specifically, now is the time to replace the defroster actuator. The others aren't too difficult with the dash in place but the defroster actuator is a pain.

pokegama

Thanks for all the feedback. I didn't know there were ground points behind the pod. I will get the diaphragms on order!

ltoolio

Ones under the steeing column, one is under the glove box / above the fuse panel.
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...l#post12210775

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...l#post12210765

The Forgotten On

Don't just stop at the diaphragms, go all the way, pull the hvac box, and rebuild it.

May as well put in a new expansion valve as this would be the time to do it unless your 928 has working AC.

pokegama

The AC was working but the compressor is leaking oil so that will need to get fixed or replaced. I will take a look that the HVAC box. What should I be looking for that would need rebuilding?

SQLGuy

I didn't pull the HVAC box when I had my dash out... kind of wish I had. Main thing I'm wondering is how much additional work would be required, once the dash is out, to replace the various pieces of foam in there that are probably disintegrated and lead to hot air mixed with cold air, or vice versa, when you don't want it.

worf928

I would replace the evaporator. The copper tubing going into aluminum mixed with a bit of acid from wet refrigeratant is going to leak. It probably is leaking right now. A bit.

Nicole

Agreed on the evaporator. This is the time to access it, and clean the whole housing. You don't want to go through this again when the evaporator starts leaking. The part is pretty expensive, though. There are independent sellers in Europe that offer it at a significant discount, but I have not seen this in the US.

Same with all the vacuum diaphragms. Those are a real pain to access, unless the dash is out. Don't forget the one for the footwell flap. I didn't do this one myself, but if I remember correctly, this one is accessed from the engine side.

There is a rubber manifold behind the HVAC solenoids. This hardens over time, and - in my case - started leaking. Much easier to access with console removed. A good time to replace all the rubber connectors as well.

I recommend you get the console and arm rests recovered at the same time, with matching new material. It will not look good to have a mix of leather with different patina, threading, or a leather/vinyl combo.

Consider reinforcing the mounting tabs of the center console while you have it out. You can get the kit from Garage9 (Jager Engineering); Rob Budd (classic9leathershop.com) probably has it as well. Or you can make your own metal bracket.

If you end-up having the arm rests recovered, you may want to reinforce the plastic tabs of it as well. There are two different kits out there - one with two aluminum brackets from Garage9, and a larger one that covers it all with one large bracket.