Alanzjones Posted October 9, 2020 Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 Gentlemen, I want to replace the vinyl covering of the dashboard of my TR3A but to do so I have to remove the dashboard. Does anyone know how to do this? I can feel a nuts behind the glove compartment and one further along but how you would get to them I have no idea Any one know? cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted October 9, 2020 Report Share Posted October 9, 2020 (edited) 1st stage is to disconnect the battery, then release the choke cable from the carbs as this needs to be pulled through the bulkhead. Then, the center panel can be eased forward by undoing, & removing two wing nuts in the lower corners (from behind the dash), then loosening the two other wing nuts in the top corners of the center panel. The panel can then be eased out at the bottom & pulled downwards to release the top. Next stage is to undo the pipe from behind the oil pressure gauge, then (& this is probably the hardest bit) remove the temperature sensor from the thermostat housing, & feed it with the capillary tube back through the bulkhead. undo all the wiring from the gauges, & switches, then the center panel can be withdrawn, taking all the gauges, & switches & choke cable with it. The main dashboard is secured along the bottom by two rails, & along the top by a number of screws, plus two screws half way up each side (see photos) the dash capping needs to be removed to access these. The glove box would need to be removed also. Still want to do it ? !!! Good luck Bob. Edited November 4, 2020 by Lebro Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alanzjones Posted October 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 Thanks for this Bob. It does look quite daunting especially to be done in an unheated and unlight lock up. One question. Why does the temperature capillary need disconnecting from the temperature sensor rather that just at the temperature gauge Cheers & Thanks Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Opie Posted October 10, 2020 Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 A capillary has a gas or liquid in it. The gage is permanently connected to the capillary and expansion and contraction of the capillary contents moves the temperature needle. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobH Posted October 10, 2020 Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 If you do this be VERY careful in undoing the nut holding the capillary sender to the thermostat housing, as it is more than likely to be stuck to the body of the sender. If the sender twists with the nut as you undo it you will most likely break the capillary tube - which then requires the whole gauge to be sent away for repair. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alanzjones Posted October 10, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 Thanks gentlemen. Now I understand Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted October 10, 2020 Report Share Posted October 10, 2020 Once you have safely removed the capilliary tube from the thermostat housing (assuming it does come free), I suggest you get one of these from Revington (Brass adaptor RTR8155), or anyone else that does them. Its a brass sleeve that you screw into the thermo housing prior to inserting the temperature sender, which is also brass. The idea is that brass doesn't weld itself to brass in the same way the it will weld itself to the alloy thermostat housing. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
NCS_TR3A Posted October 11, 2020 Report Share Posted October 11, 2020 Ian, Thanks to the reference to the brass adaptor from Revington. I've been through the issue of removing a stubborn blub a few times, first time I broke it and since then if I've ever needed to remove one I've had to take the thermostat out and poke my finger trough from the inside to push the bulb out. For refence the liquid in the bulb is ether, it's a liquid at room temp, above 36 degrees it will ignite and quite a powerful flame. I think it's used in products like easy start which gives you some idea. It's a real bugger to get into the bulb and form a solder seal but it can be done. But best not to get yourself in that position I the first place. Neil Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Owen Posted November 2, 2020 Report Share Posted November 2, 2020 On 10/9/2020 at 7:44 AM, Lebro said: 1st stage is to disconnect the battery. Then, the center panel can be eased forward by undoing, & removing two wing nuts in the lower corners (from behind the dash), then loosening the two other wing nuts in the top corners of the center panel. The panel can then be eased out at the bottom & pulled downwards to release the top. Next stage is to undo the pipe from behind the oil pressure gauge, then (& this is probably the hardest bit) remove the temperature sensor from the thermostat housing, & feed it with the capillary tube back through the bulkhead. undo all the wiring from the gauges, & switches, then the center panel can be withdrawn, taking all the gauges with it. The main dashboard is secured along the bottom by two rails, & along the top by a number of screws, plus two screws half way up each side (see photos) the dash capping needs to be removed to access these. The glove box would need to be removed also. Still want to do it ? !!! Good luck Bob. Hi Bob, When you undo the pipe from oil pressure gauge is there anything that I should be aware of? The temperature gauge has been converted so that is straightforward. Cheers, David Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 2, 2020 Report Share Posted November 2, 2020 Don't loose the small sealing washer between the pipe & the gauge, and that it may drip a small amount of oil when separated. But mainly don't forget to re-connect it before starting engine or you will have rather a lot of oil on your carpet ! Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
David Owen Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 4 hours ago, Lebro said: Don't loose the small sealing washer between the pipe & the gauge, and that it may drip a small amount of oil when separated. But mainly don't forget to re-connect it before starting engine or you will have rather a lot of oil on your carpet ! Bob Thank you. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 On 10/9/2020 at 10:44 PM, Lebro said: 1st stage is to disconnect the battery. Then, the center panel can be eased forward by undoing, & removing two wing nuts in the lower corners (from behind the dash), then loosening the two other wing nuts in the top corners of the center panel. The panel can then be eased out at the bottom & pulled downwards to release the top. Next stage is to undo the pipe from behind the oil pressure gauge, then (& this is probably the hardest bit) remove the temperature sensor from the thermostat housing, & feed it with the capillary tube back through the bulkhead. undo all the wiring from the gauges, & switches, then the center panel can be withdrawn, taking all the gauges with it. The main dashboard is secured along the bottom by two rails, & along the top by a number of screws, plus two screws half way up each side (see photos) the dash capping needs to be removed to access these. The glove box would need to be removed also. Still want to do it ? !!! Good luck Bob. There are a few 7/16" nuts that hold the dash to studs. Here are a couple of photos of my spare dash in the roof of the garage. You can see the slots on the upper edge and the hole on the end where the studs are that have the 7/16" nuts. The four holes in the centre can also be seen for the studs on the centre section fastened with wing nuts from behind. The wing nuts might have been replaced with ordinary nuts and the studs are also prone to breaking off. Once you have completed what Bob says above and these nuts the dash slides forwards off the outer studs. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted November 3, 2020 Report Share Posted November 3, 2020 Have just slightly edited my original reply to include disconnecting the choke cable. Bob. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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