MGB: Question for those that have done a complete new dash.

Here is what I have. I am in the process of deciphering the wiring diagram which is not as clear as on on a Datsun Z. Anyway, can I install the dash and poke the wires through the holes or do I need to install everything in the dash and wire it up after the dash is in place? I am sure I will have more questions as I go along. Thanks for the help. Paul

Paul,

I put my assembled dash up to the cowl, the attached the wires. I then bolted the dash to the cowl.

Ok, so there's room to hook everything up then push it forward and bolt it up? That sounds good. Paul

Paul, I think you have room to do what you want.....just a little tight, but it can be done.

In my case, I'm putting in a new harness and a new dash, so I'm wiring the dash on the bench first...

Good luck

Thats the way I did the GT - on the '74, the dash harness is seperate so you can wire it up on the bench! I thought of converting the GT to the same system - it would make working on it a lot easier!

Eric, I was considering the same thing on my 74 GT, when I asked at British Wiring about the proper connectors they wanted to know why I would want to do that. I wanted to place connectors just before the wiring goes through the firewall.

Paul,

excellent wiring diagrams are on download here: http://www.advanceautowire.com but look at the bottom right corner of the diagrams for selecting the right one for your car. They are coloured and make it easy to find the right connections.
First fit the voltage regulator to the firewall and connect it to the harness. Then comes the flashr relay and the whiper motor, then the dash.

I would only leave out the tach and the speedo, as well as the heater controll mechanisem and bolt the dash to the car with the nuts on the top only. Then you can put on the wires to the switches and the small instruments. The heater controlls go in back at last and then the bolts that hold it at the bottom.

Ralph

Thank you!

[quote=JMoore]
Paul,

I put my assembled dash up to the cowl, the attached the wires. I then bolted the dash to the cowl.[/quote]

I did the same, except for the speedo and tach, that way I could reach through those holes to bolt the dash up.

Maybe I am not quite following but on a '74, the dash has it's own harness with two large connectors and one small connector that connects to the main harness. So if you assemble the dash with all the switches and gauges and the harness, then install the dash, it is a simple matter of connecting the two large and one small connectors that hang under the drivers side. Are you doing something other than stock? Here is a photo of my '74 dash assembled with the dash harness.

Ryan

[quote="The Wiz"]
[quote=JMoore]
Paul,

I put my assembled dash up to the cowl, the attached the wires. I then bolted the dash to the cowl.[/quote]

I did the same, except for the speedo and tach, that way I could reach through those holes to bolt the dash up.[/quote]

Exactly.

And remember: LABEL EVERYTHING!!!!! Sorry for shouting, but it's important. And a real PITA if your labels fall off.

You shouldn't need to on a '74 - on mine, the dash harness disconnected from the main harness on the left side - just above the drivers' left knee!

ALSO - don't bother with all those fiddly nuts that hold the dash on - a little overkill by the designers I think! Instead, put a 1/4" grommet (I cut mine in half - so one grommet will do two) on each stud. Hook the dash in place and put a washer and nut on the two end studs - I also put one in the center to stop rattles. Then hook up the bottom "hold-back" straps. I actually use 1/4-28 wing nuts instead of regular hex nuts. This makes the dash much easier to install/remove - I can do mine in about 10 minutes - and I don't notice any lack of security/rigidity!

I also hook up the speedometer cable just before I hook the dash on - it is a bit of a balancing act - but a hell of a lot easier than trying to connect/install the speedometer with the dash in place!

Eric's right about the grommets. I learned that little trick here a few years ago, and it really helps.

Guys are correst. The 74 uses a separate dash harness. I've installed all the gauges into the dash except the speedo. With some cursing and luck, one can get their hand up behind the dash to install that one after the dash is in.

I wish the 69 had a separate dash harness. Here's a photo of the "bird's nest" I had to deal with when installing that one:

Yep.

Paul the biggest trick is to be patient and get everything right the first time because we all know how much we want to take it off again.

I do have to admit that I like the late dash set up where you can disconnect it and work on it elsewhere. Kind of nice, but electrically it's one more connection to fail.

LOL, that pic brings back memories...I ended up with so many labels once they were all back in place, that the labels themselves got in the way. The most frustrating thing I found was that a few of the attachments, for the late series model (the turn signal lights, light for speedo, lights for the center stack of lights) where friction fit and there was not too much friction...if you have the same issue, find a way to get them to fit tight and snug. I was not quite careful enough on this and every now and then one of thems slips out.
tc

Takes me back to 2000 at the body shop in West Palm Beach.