>Phil Bates writes:
>
>>I
>>have a 67 B, and have installed a voltmeter and ammeter because I have had
>>problems in the past. It is a very nice set-up to have. With the voltmeter
>>you see how much charge your battery is holding, and this can be important
>>with earlier cars that can have a regulator stuck open or stuck closed.
>
>Phil and others:
>
>I've contemplated the same additions. Where on the dash did you install
>these gauges? Where did you purchase the gauges you installed? I suppose
>you put them where the radio speaker should/would be? Did you buy
>Smiths/jaeger gauges to maintain "cosmetic consistency???"
>
You are correct on many counts sir! I removed the radio speaker. I cut a
rectangular piece of stainless steel to fit the entire flat surface (rounded
corners and all). Cut a piece of 3/8" plywood for the backing. Then
drilled out 4 holes in MG TD - like position: two at the bottom close
together, two above them further apart (like a smiley face). These took a
big hole saw, and were not easy to drill in stainless steel. Then I drilled
two smaller holes in the lower corners for a hazard light and a cigarette
lighter plug (no, I don't smoke). Then painted the stainless with primer,
and wrinkle finish paint. It almost looks original! The gauges are all
Smiths, and I got them from Noisinger's (in NY). I have a voltmeter,
ammeter, clock, and a vacuum gauge (on manifold vacuum with the overdrive
vacuum switch). I know it sounds cluttered, but it looks pretty classy. I
had some empty space in the upper center of the area, so I put a MG emblem
from a 70's MGB grille in there. It is a nice touch.
Next project was mounting speakers under the dash without harming the
integrety of the area there. Did it with only drilling 3 small sheet metal
screw holes, and making my own speaker boxes and keyhole mounting system.
Now I can see the gauges, and hear the stereo even while driving on the highway.
The wiring for this kind of stuff is really the pain, I melted two wires
installing the ammeter. Not a difficult job, but it really has to be done
correctly, and with WELL INSULATED TERMINALS.
Phil Bates
67 MGB
75 Jaguar XJ12C
52 MG TD replicar (VW)
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