fisicx Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 I've replaced the dashboard lights (AKA dims) with LEDs so I can now see what they read at night. This has made the rheostat redundant so I'm considering replacing it with a 2" Smiths clock. It doesn't look too complicated a job - except for drilling the hole in the dashboard. This is fraught with danger as I can see it going horribly wrong and I end up with firewood instead of a dashboard. Has anyone done this before? If so can you offer any tips. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
simonjrwinter Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 I’ve not done it, but would highly recommend you drill a hole a bit smaller then file it gently to fit. I fitted a thumb pull for my glovebox by slowly filing until it seated nicely. Simon Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harlequin Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 I replaced the temperature and oil pressure gauges with a combined instrument as used on a MGB and then fitted the clock in the spare hole. George Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR Paul Posted June 2, 2018 Report Share Posted June 2, 2018 I've been thinking of doing something similar myself. I've got the choice between an oil temp gauge (from an early Range Rover) a clock (early Stag) & an early Dolomite Voltmeter, all of which are 2" diameter & match the existing gauges in my CP TR6 quite nicely. If I do go ahead, I was going to get the hole cut by a cabinet maker, for the reasons you've stated, and also the gauge holes in the TR6 are 'stepped' (if that's the right word for it?);I'm certainly not skilled enough to manage this & I'd want the hole to match the existing ones. Hope this helps, Cheers, Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pinky Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 (edited) i can help with this one new clock of ebay, smiths clocks are to big find a matching bezel grind cut and glue dashboard needs to be drilled and counter- bored detailing shop pink Edited June 3, 2018 by pinky Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fisicx Posted June 3, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Thanks Paul and Pinky, Going to do as suggested and go to a cabinet maker. Far safer - and they have all the right tools for the job. Which clock did you get off ebay? The only ones I can see are Smiths clocks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pinky Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 hi fis http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/372244256958 pink will do you need to cut / grind the side of the clock to allow the bezel to fit on, not easy if you need to chat about it , send me an email and I will send my number pink Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytr5 Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 (edited) I have done this a few times.Remove dash of course.Screw a flat bar on the back off the dash over the rheostat hole. Centre punch the flat bar.Now get the right size hole saw (for the bezel) and drill part way in to the gauge depth.Change hole saw to the diameter of the body of the gauge (which is smaller in diameter) and drill right through. Carefully clean off and there you go.It does help that I was a timed served carpenter and also have a drill press to keep everything steady.Try it on some waist wood first to get some confidence. The Smiths ones are the right size and the same as the gauges. I would post pictures on here but can not and gave up yonks ago. Regards Harry Edited June 5, 2018 by harrytr5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andy Moltu Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 Leave as it and fit a radio with a clock. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fisicx Posted June 5, 2018 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 It does help that I was a timed served carpenter and also have a drill press to keep everything steady. Ah. And that's where is all falls to bits. I don't have a drill press and my woodworking skills are limited to putting up sloping shelves Leave as it and fit a radio with a clock. I agree this is an option but I don't want a radio (I've got a storage cubby in the hole). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
pinky Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 contact harry, he is a really nice chap, I'm sure he would help with the dash you could post it to him pink Quote Link to post Share on other sites
had17462 Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 Even I managed this, not hard just take your time. Nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
fisicx Posted February 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 18 months later and I've finally got round to installing a clock (I got one for Christmas). Well chuffed with the result Story and pics: https://wftr.co.uk/put-a-clock-in-it/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Harbottle Posted February 13, 2020 Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 Very nice, well worth taking your TIME Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted February 13, 2020 Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 I think the extra instrument, especially a clock, looks really good. I can get dashes to this spec for no extra cost - here are a couple of photos ( apologies for the quality but I'm no David Bailey! ) of one I have just supplied for a fellow TRer - this was also in a non standard light oak veneer which looks really nice, and even better in the flesh. Cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
StuartG Posted February 13, 2020 Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 Daft question but is the wooden part of the dash held in with just the screws through the wood to the metal ? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rcreweread Posted February 13, 2020 Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 Stuart - in short if I understand your question correctly, yes cheers Rich Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Kevo_6 Posted February 13, 2020 Report Share Posted February 13, 2020 Also held in by the Rev Counter and the Speedo. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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