MG MGB and MGB GT Tech Talk
Curious as to whether or not a successful installation has been completed. I know at one point Tony (the Autoist) was working on a transplant but I couldn't find any pics of the completion if it worked or not. Has anyone else tried it? Say into a late 70's car? I like the look an am curious.
Thanks!!
A friend did on an '80. He drilled the spot welds out of the scuttle and replaced it with one from a '67. It was very time consuming.
Here are some pics of a steel dash install on my '74 gt. You can see where the steel dash cowl has been welded in. Also, I've retained the collapsable column, which required some metal removal of the old column support on the dash. Now I have to figure out how to make the mkI column cowl fit on the larger diameter column. Also, the center console doesn't fit exactly right, so I need to get a UK spec console or make something custom. It's a LOT of work. Note, there are other ways to go about it, I know Jake V. has a plan, and Rob Ficalora has done this as well.
What year did the scuttle change? Was it at the same time they dropped the metal dash or did some of the earlier padded dashes use the same scuttle?
Looks like it is so going Ryan but I would definitely be interested in seeing it when you are done, I bet it will look fantastic. Thought maybe it would be hard since Tony hadn't finished updating the photos on his progress. But we are getting ready to pick out a welder and I get to learn to use it so I am very curious as to how others complete the change. :D
Hi Michelle,
I have done it on a 1974 roadster (chrome) My car has the collapsible column as standard so there was no changes to the column supports and I fabricated the dash to go around it. I fabricated a dash top to fit and had to cut the "binnacle" area to fit the larger collapsible column.
I used smaller 80mm speedo and tach and mounted an oil gauge in between the two of them.
As stated you will also need a UK center console
Definitely not a weekend job !!
Check out the British V8 photo gallery, from this index page: http://www.britishv8.org/Photos-MG-Conversions.htm
A number of our guys have done this modification.
There's also an article in the current edition of our newsletter that shows how Rob Ficalora did the dash swap (metal dash into '76 roadster)... but with a difference. Rob mounted the metal dash a little rearward to make room for under-dash air conditioning!
Here's the direct link: http://www.britishv8.org/Articles/RobsProgress.htm
Here's a preview photo:
If someone would fabricate a bolt-in kit I think that'd be fantastic! I bet Gerry could handle this. :D
Shawn
My approach is a little different, its still in the works (like my other 5 projects) but should be nice when I'm finished. I plan on keeping the collapsable column and making the LHD steel dash a mirror image of the '75-'75 RHD V8 dash. I know of one other guy who has gone this route and I got some good pictures from him and a description of what was involved. It means keeping the later column cowels but shortening them. The main part thats holding me up is getting a good RHD dash fascia from those years from the UK. After that I'll make a CAD model of it, mirror it, create a lamination tool and make one out of carbon fiber for the LHD dash. Should look very similar to the OE V8 dash but the other side.
filospinato Wrote:
But is it a problem to swap the gauges from pre '76 over into the later cars? I know that I need to make some changes to the gears when I drop in the O/D I purchased since it is from a 74. Any other issues?
Michelle....I've test fitted everything using an early steering column & a UK console...seems to fit fine...next step is to crinkle paint the dash, fit the instruments & hook up my British Wiring custom harness.
But, its not for the light hearted!!
Ryan...do you have photos of how you modified under the dash for the collapsible column? Also, have you test fitted your steering column cowl w/stalk switches?
Oh, Ryan: think I have an extra UK console from one of my parts hunting trips.
mabie1978 Wrote:
I did it.
Used early steering column.
Cut the cowl just to the driver's side of the dimester vents. The vents are different sizes from 67 to 68.
One thing I found out was I was able to swap the working components from my 68 tach into the body and face of a 67 tach and it works great.
It took a little work to move the wires around for the switches, but it is possible.
Additionally, I just sourced an ignition switch for the steel dash that has an accessory position, so now, I can run the radio without heating up the coil.
I also sourced a push buttion for an electric windshiled washer pump that fits the car.
I also used 2 relays and a toggle switch to maintain the hazard switch capabilities of the 68. Lets me have hazards and turn signals without using the big rocker switch from the 68
For the dash to transmission tunnel piece, I simply bent some steel and cut it to fit, then covered it with the same material I used for the cowl.
filospinato Wrote:
Tony, I can take a picture for you. It's been a long time since I worked on the dash project, but the only modification was to remove some metal from the dash itself. I seem to remember that the steel dash has a mounting area where the mk1 column bolts to it. Or maybe it's where the dash bolts to the support tube behind the dash? That area had to be relieved to make room for the larger diameter collapsable column. The visible part of the dash where the column passes through was fine, and there was room for the larger column without any cutting. The collapsable column had to have the mounting tabs for the plastic cowling cut off.
I haven't test fit the column cowl, I know the mk1 version isn't going to fit easily. I'm going to try to make it fit, but if it won't I might have to figure somethign else out. I think I'm only going to need a turn signal stalk, so I'm hoping I can make the mk1 version fit. One thing at a time!
I'll send you a PM on the UK spec console, I'm interested!
Mike,
Sure, I could go that route but I already have the '74 gauges calibrated to the V8 setup, so I would like to resue those. I actually already have the LHD steel dash, I just need to fabricate the fascia and Ill be in business. Little cutting and welding, thats all. Then the CF fascia to finish it off. This is the part I will be making.
OK, first attempt at attaching pictures.
This is my dash. 68 B with a 67 Dash installed
Nice and simple. Always nice.
The way you've done the center console gives you a lot of room for growth, too. Think: Cruise control, power windows, A/C, heated seats, .... :D
Rick,
Cruise is in the picture but still a way away. As you can see, it is a little dusty and I haven't had time to work on it lately. I've been working in the yard for the last 6 months. Trying to make an Italian garden for my wife, Fountain, Planters, Gazibo etc.
Living in Northern California has some blessings, the only time I can't work on it is when it gets too muddy from the rain
I know the area well, Cris. I lived in Turlock for years, and just a few years ago, my parents moved from Modesto over to the Carson Valley area in Nevada.
Good luck on the garden. If the dash is any indication, the garden is going to be sweet.
Ryan - was just curious...I've already modified my firewall for the early column. Got your PM.
Cris - I used the dash radio location for fresh air vents...hooked them directly to the firewall....radio is now in the center console as are all the heater controls since I'm adding guages.
Here's an old photo when I was fitting the guages/cutting the steel dash (gotta take some new ones!):
