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Heater Control Panel ["Why don't it fit?]

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Skip & Lynne

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I am installing the small plastic/bakelite or whatever heater panel in the dash and the radius in the dash and insert don`t match at all has anyone had this problem? The car didn`t have one when I started so I had to get one from the usual suspects.
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Funny you should mention that. I had the exact same experience yesterday. With some careful filing you can get it close to right but that plastic is HARD. I also bought a new heater control and that wouldn't fit either. When bolted up there was an interference fit so that I couldn't turn on the blower. Fixed that by hogging out the mounting holes on both the bakelite face plate and the control itself which placed the electrical switch just a RCH further away from the face plate. My car had neither piece when purchased and no cables either. Bob
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Thanks Bob I have a new heater contol for this car too so I will be on the lookout for the same problem. Skip
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Skip,

Yes, I bought a new one several years ago (after reading reviews on the Healey List that the part was spot on) and was disappointed that the top of the bakelite is curved while the aluminum mating surface is not (my original but unfortunately cracked bakelite part is straight in this area). I think the problem is the part comes out of the mold and warps as it cools. The part geometry lends itself to this type of warping. At any rate, before I recover the dash I plan on massaging the aluminum in this area to fit the curve and/or adding a bit of bog (bondo) to get the curves to match and eliminate the gap. Once covered with vinyl it should look good.

Fun, eh?

John
 
I would estimate that 85% of the (new) stuff I buy has to be altered or massaged to fit.. Some examples,oil pump, timing gears, points,(never had a car I had to modify the points to make em close till now, even had to machine front bumper brackets because it was welded together out of line.
I could go on but I'll spare ya...cause ya all know by now.
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Thats my problem my dash is covered and all the restored gauges are in place. I`ll bet I have a 1/4 to 3/8th gap in places and my dash was undamaged so I know the replacement part is the problem. Skip
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Skip,
I had the same problem with this about a year ago when I was working on the heater assembly. I was able to carefully and slowly file the plastic away until I got it to be the shape of the dash. I was able to get the proper fit with patience. No change to the fascia itself, and I would challenge anyone to find the alteration.

Lin Rose
1960 BT7 in restoration
1959 Bugeye
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

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HI John, Do you still have the old broken part and can it be glued together??.---Keoke
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Hi LIn thats what I am going to do. The front shroud is painted but not installed yet so I can hold it in front of the panel and use a pencil to trace the outline from behind on the bakelite and then file it to fit.
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

[ QUOTE ]
Hi LIn thats what I am going to do. The front shroud is painted but not installed yet so I can hold it in front of the panel and use a pencil to trace the outline from behind on the bakelite and then file it to fit.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey Skip!, What are you going to do about that little chrome ring that fits the existing panel hole?,---Keoke
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Hi Skip:

If I uderstand the problem, around the heater's plastic control panel is a Chrome Ring which fits the facia cutout.---Keoke
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

Keoke I didn`t think there was a chrome ring around the plastic, I checked the books and there are none shown just the bakelite held to the panel with 2 screws. There is a trim ring on the BJ8`s but not the earlier cars. The problem is that the radius on the edges of the bakelite don`t match the radius on the instrument panel. Thats why some of them break cause some folks adhere to the "if it don`t fit force it method" which I am ashamed to admit I have been guilty of from time to time. Skip
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

OK Skip, I thought they all had the trim ring.---Keoke
 
Re: Why don`t it fit

The replacement panel I purchased had a curve at the top just like yours. The original did not. I called Moss and asked them to check the rest of there stock to see if any were flat accross the top. They said they all were curved and that it appeared that was the way they were made. Once installed, I now have a nice pretty labled panel with a 1/16" gap at the top. May have to try to file the top to match the dash.
Rob
 
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