300E AC evaporator replacement ... and dashboard
 

It looks like I'm going to have to bite the bullet and replace my '86 300E's AC evaporator. I've read all the posts about having to take the dash apart. The top of my dash has a huge split right down the middle that has always bugged the hell out of me.

As long as I'm going through the expense of having the dash pulled apart to replace the evaporator, I was thinking about replacing the top of the dash at the same time.

Any idea how much more time would be involved to do this and how much a replacement dash top costs?

Thanks,

Gary
'86 300E 162k miles

If I am reading correctly the part with the split will have to come out to replace the evap.

Not really an answer to your question, but it would seem they *all* split in roughly the same spot. While walking around boneyards, I have not been able to find one without the split, so it may be tough to find a used one in good shape.
Probably still available new (for a price!).

I assumed I was going to have to buy a new dash top, as I've seen lots of split used ones. It seems it's only a matter of time until they all split.

Gary

You can buy a dash overlay that will 'refresh' the look of the dash for around $100. FWIW, if you are going to tackle the evap job, you need to replace the actuator elements (5) while you're in there. I also hope you have better than average mechanical skills! Take pictures as you go. This is a pretty big job.

Also...
 

make sure you have an alternate method of transportation because a weekend will NOT be enough for the job. Specially, if you never have done this before. :eek: