Dashboard (fascia) restoration (Part 3) and installation

This week I decided to finally finish and install the dashboard.

My solution was a simple one which was used by BMC as an option for MG Midgets and MGBs in the early and mid-1960s…walnut grained shelving material! It makes sense, and is true to the MG style, and it really does not look that bad. The sales brochure specifically states the dashboard as having a “walnut grained finish.” So I ordered a large roll, since small ones are just not available, and went to work measuring a 3”x 50” strip.

Then, cutting it with scissors.

And, laying it down to make sure the graining looks good.

Then it was trimmed to size as the contact paper was being stripped off. I tried not to stretch it as it was being installed as that would cause problems later on. I decided not to post pictures of me cutting out the holes and the pop rivets in the contact vinyl. It was tedious and boring.

I installed the switches, speedometer and lamp lens, albeit, a couple are in the wrong positions. I also do not know correct positions for the colored lenses.

I took it out the car and laid it in place to make all the necessary connections of the wires, cables, and hoses.

And there it is…Old Biddy now has her dashboard installed!! It looks good and is pretty much period correct.

This week, the parcel shelf has to be painted and the rest of the wires, cables and hoses will have to be connected inside the engine compartment. And...I still need the correct lamps for the sockets!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Steering Wheel and Column installation.

This week I decided to finish and install the steering wheel and column while thinking of a solution to the dashboard quandary.

The steering wheel cracks were filled with Bondo since they were only cosmetic. Then the wheel was sanded and primed again. I was suggested to use this paint for the plastic steering wheel.

I painted on three coats given the amount of handling it will endure. Better to be safe than sorry!

After drying, it was installed in place.

I found my NOS turn signal indicator switch that I purchased five years ago, which was just before the price for them went ridiculously astronomical!!

Here it is finally installed. I just have to make the wire connections.

The cowl was put on next although it is pretty worn looking now. I may either look for an NOS one or try to refurbish this one.

Old Biddy has her steering wheel and column installed at last! All I need now is a center horn push and spring.

It is spring break for me this week. My goal is to have the dashboard all finished and installed by next Saturday. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Dashboard (Fascia) restoration Part 2

Work continued on the dashboard restoration this week.

I started by using a Dremel tool with a stone attachment bit to grind down the welding nubs.

Once smoothed out, the Bondo was slathered on and sanded down…twice. It was not perfect by any means, but that is fine because it will be covered by the lower crash pad anyway. Shhh, it will be our secret!

The whole dashboard was then sanded down and primed.

I laid a bead of automotive sealant on the loose edges of the metal patches on the back side to help prevent moisture from getting in and rusting, which is what happened to this dashboard before. Then two coats of the custom matched paint were sprayed on.

I decided to mock up the dashboard with all the bits and pieces to see if I lost any in the past year. Looks good!

After practicing a number of times, I decided to give my faux wood graining skills a try to simulate the faux walnut that was painted on before. What a botched job!! Sometimes in life you never know what you are not meant to do until you try it. Guess what I discovered about myself this week?! 

This is a good point to leave you hanging until next time. I think I will be searching for a strip of 3”x 60” walnut grained decal or shelf covering, or a 1960's style chicken/barnyard wallpaper…anything to cover up THAT disaster!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Dashboard (Fascia) restoration Part 1

The dashboard restoration adventure started this week.

I first stripped all the accessories from the face; the chrome strip, the blanking panel clamps, etc…

Then used a wire wheel to clean the metal and to totally expose the holes.

Thursday night I brought it to the high school workshop for metal repair. I began by measuring and cutting metal strips from scraps that the students made that day for the inside. I never got a chance to use these tools so it was a learning curve…but fun!

I had to bend a little lip so it fit and stayed in place on the panel.

When my part of the job was done cutting, trimming, and fitting the strips…

John and Daryl took over and used the resistance welder to weld them in place.

But that welder was giving us trouble so John used the MIG welder instead. Yes, he broke a Cardinal safety rule by not using a mask or eye protection! I never welded before so it was fun for me to watch (and to wear a welding helmet!).

When we were done, it ended up looking like this. There are only a few little weld bumps to grind down before I can Bondo. You will see that in Part 2 in a few days.

Here is the tachometer that I am going to install as an accessory instrument (along with an oil pressure gauge, a volt meter, and a vacuum gauge) which is getting sent out to Nisonger Instruments for a rehab. The tachometer is a Smiths RVI2401/00A not an 00B. I do not know the difference but it should work when we hook it all up. If anyone does know the difference, which may even be as minor as paint color on the dial face, please send me a message.

This week I will continue working on the dashboard. With nothing on my weekday evening agenda this week, I should be able to get quite a bit accomplished now that the hard part is done.

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Starting on the steering column and dashboard

Due to parent /teacher conferences at school last week, we did not get to go to the workshop to do the metal work as planned.

So instead, I decided to at least start on the steering column and steering wheel project. The column was pretty rusty and it needed to be sanded, primed and repainted.

And the steering wheel needed some real attention.

First, I got the column all cleaned up and painted. Have had lots of practice doing this over the past few years!!

Then, I worked on getting the leatherette/vinyl material unwrapped from the steering wheel to see its actual condition. A plastic strip was wrapped around it 29 ½ times!

It is not too bad. One minor crack will have to be repaired and then it can be repainted.

Since I need paint for both the steering wheel and the dashboard, too, I decided to get started on cutting the file stock now for the dashboard. This will aid in the process of cutting sheet metal strips at the shop. We are scheduled to go this Thursday night to do the metal work.

When I have a free moment, I will take the dashboard to our local automotive paint store to get the paint correctly matched and to get advice on proper steering wheel paint. Neither are going to be a Rustoleum job for sure!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Installing the remote shifter housing

This past week, all concentration went to installing the remote shifter housing on Old Biddy.

First, we had to jostle the dollies around. I said “we” because it was a two person job so John came over to help. Then we jacked up the car, slid the remote shifter underneath, and attached the front part to the transmission.

John was up in the car while I was underneath. He held the rear of the shifter by the shift lever while we lined up the two inside bolts to attach the rear mount bracket in place.

There! Old Biddy has her gear shift lever (aka stick shift)! The ring and rubber boot will be secured after the carpet is installed.

There are not many pictures because it is a tight squeeze underneath her. The whole operation took about forty five minutes. If the car did not have to be moved and have the dollies shifted around, it would have taken half that. Onward to the dashboard restoration! Wish me luck!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

What happens next?

With all the new parts going on the car this past month, the garage became a neglected mess. Since the weather has been so unseasonably warm this week, I spent some time cleaning and airing the garage out.

This week’s project will be to install the remote shifter housing. It is a two person job, so I called John, who will come over to help me on Friday evening.

As we wait, I thought I would show you the next big project, the dashboard restoration. Here it is all disassembled minus the top dash pad.

The most difficult part of the operation will be “fixing” the rusted out lower panel that the crash pad roll connects to. Once that is repaired, everything can be reassembled.

The inside vinyl on the shelf will have to be painted white.

All the bits and pieces have already been polished and are ready to go.

And, both the steering wheel and the steering column need a makeover.

But now I am getting ahead of myself! Just thought you would like to know that stuff is being done…it is just not “blogable”. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy