crashdash /dashboard replacement

[andy2stags]

Hi all

I am about to take on the removal of the complete dashboard and surround as the vinyl has been damaged and i have a new set of wood to fit.I have checked the forum posts / manuals etc but can find no mention of it.Any hints or tips would be much apreciated as i have been putting this job off for ages and am not looking forward to it. Also are mk1 and mk2 dials interchangable eg would rev counter cause any problems? Any help would be much apreciated.

andy.

[stoutgoose]

imported post

Dash removal is fairly straight forward, however I would recommend obtainingthe workshopmanual which describes the process and offers diagrams as to where bolts, etc. are located. Ebay is usually a good source for around a tenner.

When you remove the instruments and panel it would help to use masking tape and pen to label each set of wires before removal from the instrument/position.

The Mk1/Mk2 rev counter is not interchangeable due to different wiring requirments.

[jleyton]

imported post

Hi Andy

Don't be worried about doing it - it's the beauty of the Stag and other cars from that era that all the wiring etc is really straightforward and pretty logical. If you had to remove the dash on a Lexus or something with multiplex wiring THEN you'd have good reason not to look forward to it.

I have to say, I've not done the entire dash on the Stag but I've done others and had most of the component parts out of my Stag at one stage or other. There are just two tips I'd give you - one of which wasn't possible when I usd to work on car electrics in the 70's !

1) Mark every single wire when you disconnect it. Use a Dymo tape maker or, probably better, simple sticky paper strips.

2) Take lots of photos as you do it. (Waiting a week for yourfilm from Boots back in the 70's would have made a bit of a nonsense of this one !)

If you do these things then everything else should be pretty easy and you won't need to have that nagging worry all the time of 'I wonder if I can get it back together'

All the very best with it. I haven't got to take my dash out, but if I did I think it's a job I would look forward to, but thank heavens we're all different

Cheers

Julian

[andy2stags]

imported post

Hi all

Thanks for the replys most helpul.I have managed to strip it all out and it all went well.Trouble is i have taken it a step further,seats out and carpet out.i found some surface rust above fuse box but otherwise verry good so i am going to paint the floors etc and waxoil the cavities.Anyway on to next question,the heater has never been thathot so i am thinking of removing it.Is therea way of cleaning outthe unit once removed? I remember years ago on an old moped putting caustic soda down the exhaust to clean it out.would it work on this or is it exchange recon? If so anywhere local to do this?

many thanks.

andy.

[ethel]

imported post

Andy,

One thing worth checking before you remove the heater is whether the controls are moving the heater valve through its full movement. From memory, on mine the outer part of the cable slipped in the clip just behind the slider. If so then you might need to free off the valve and/or grease the cable to make it easier to operate.

John.

[andy2stags]

imported post

Thanks john

All cables seem to be working ok but i will clean them up and regrease.

I have started fitting up the new wood to the console, looks good.

However the heater fascia looks a little tired with the chrome worn off in places and the lettering is grubby.

Has anyone succesfully refurbished one of these?

Any tips most apreciated.

andy.

[jleyton]

imported post

Hi Andy,

My 'chrome' around the vents was looking decidely tatty and I tried to clean it with a fairly mild domestic cleaner - unfortunately I don't remember which - and it just totally wiped away the chrome.

Whilst not intended, and not an idea for the purists, I actually find the tidy, clean black looks really good.