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MGB New Dash for 74 MGB

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Tom_Odom

Jedi Hopeful
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Been a while since I made a post. Been working on the beast trying to get things in shape to start putting back together. Got car down to where there is nothing else to take off. Working on body to make straight enough for paint. Right now still block sanding, more primer, more block sanding, and more primer.
Any way was looking at the dash which is out of the car and it needs replaceing. Looking through Moss catalog and it reads something like: "Dash Cover" reproduction cover which installs over the original steel backing! What!! Just a cover, Man I would have thought you could get a new dash.
Any one ever made a wooden dash for a MGB? Well any way not to the point where I need to install it yet.
Has anyone installed this type of dash cover (not just the top cover) and what kind or experince was it.
Thanks,
Tom
 
Hi Tom, not a clue here.
 
If you're talking about Moss # 453-740, it replaces all the vinyl covering...if yopu're talking about #453-895, it just glues over the flat top portion of the vinyl dash.
 
I've replaced two of the full dash coverings in 72-76 MGB's. A giant pain but they looked very good when finished. I've also bought two 1974 BGT's and a 69CGT mainly to get their uncracked dashes.

Alan T
 
[ QUOTE ]
If you're talking about Moss # 453-740, it replaces all the vinyl covering...if yopu're talking about #453-895, it just glues over the flat top portion of the vinyl dash.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes Tony it's the 453-740. Is this going to be a bear to put on?
Thanks ,
Tom
 
Not really - you have to get the dash out of the car & remove the old vinyl without hurting the hard foam behind it...& some good glue.
 
Yep - the holes for the instruments et al have to be cut out of the new cover once its in place...that's the hardest part for me.
 
I put a new dash cover in the 72 and it came with the foam backing installed. I had to strip the old foam from the steel back plate and glue the new dash cover on. The trick to get it right, is make sure all the old foam is off the back plate and it is clean. Repaint the steel plate to discurage rust later. Fit and refit the cover by trimming excess foam from the new dash cover untill it lays over the plate perfectly. Mine was too thick around the instrument area and around the glove box. Wait untill you have glued it in place and the glue is set before you cut out the holes. Be carefull cutting out the choke hole as it's pretty small and recessed. Mine looks great! I didn't know they made just the vinyl skin to put over the original foam. Fit and Refit. Check and Recheck the fit before gluing!!! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif PJ
 
STOP!! Before you remove any foam, make sure its is on the new cover....some of them only have the thin foam, not the heavy hard foam that shapes the dash!
 
Wow! I didn't know that, Tony. I assumed that the covers were all the same for the complete dash. I'm glad you said that, as I have the 70 to do and I would have striped it before getting the new cover. That would have been a little upsetting, to say the least, if it was the thin cover. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cryin.gif PJ
 
Always get the replacement piece in your hands before you strip/disassemble the old one....your '70 will prove to be the case!
 
Question: Can the metal dash be stripped, sand blasted, primed, painted, and installed without the covering?
Thanks,
Tom
 
Yes....however, you might have to do some cleaning up of the metal base.
 
I've seen people do it to the earlier "Abingdon Pillow" dashes & they look nice (my friend, Peter Cummings did one)..however, I can't remember whether or not the dashes with the glove box are 1 piece or a couple of pieces put together with some hard foam around the glove box...

...you could pull the dash & just remove the vinyl cover to see what it looks like underneath - I can get the cover to you in about 4-5 days if you find you want or need it.
 
Thanks Tony, Will be in touch later about the cover. I'm still priming and block sanding at this time. Trying to get everything smooth and straight. This has turned into a very long drawn out proccess.
Thanks again,
Tom
 
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