Originally Posted by cornemuse

Well, yesterday I finally removed the inst panel, thought I was gonna break something removing the steering wheel mounting screw. The whole 'bezel' on the panel came off while removing the panel, for starters. Took the tach & gauges units out & put them in the older panel, as its bezel was intact. Last screw I installed was to a broken off post in the panel body. Superglued the bezel back to orig panel. Put everything back in orig. Now, I have not moved more than 2-3 feet since starting. Lost one of the (8) mounting screws holding gauges in. Cleared bench, not. Swept floor, not. Magnet everywhere, not.
Found a sheet metal screw same (+-) size to replace it. Plus washer. (2 screws have funky washers, lost one of them 'natch). Moved the 'bad' panel out of the way, rattle, oh there it is/was! All back together.

In the car, I thought: I wonder if the speedo cable is the problem? Jacked up one rear tire & started motor. Thought: no inst panel. Thought NO OIL PRESSURE GAUGE CONNECTED!! Thought: OH ****. Turned off key. Realized cars vacuum has bled off. Thought: OH ****!
Here comes the oil. On my legs, on steering column, on carpet. Thought OH ****ing ****!
Held my thumb over oil line. Built up enough vacuum to finally shut off engine. Cleaned up mess. Cleaned up myself. Installed panel. Everything works.

This morning I went to the gym, well not everything works after all, panel/inst lites do not work, none of 'em.

Also, I sat on my vintage 'RayBan' new prescription sunglasses & broke off both temples, biggest bummer of all.

I'm gonna be driving my Blazer for a while, , , , ,

(Oh, yes, got the steering wheel couple 'uh grooves off, , ,)

Things have been going so well, till yesterday.)

-c-