Removal and Refinishing BJ8 Wood Dashboard

[zayante]

FWIW, sometimes the capillary tube/bulb is frozen to the sensor bulb nut - mine was. I needed to remove the radiator and water pump to get proper access, and when I couldn't budge it with an end wrench, cut the tube off, and removed it with a deep socket. I installed a new gauge/tube, using anti-seize, to facilitate future disassembly. If I ever need to do this again, I'll make a special deep socked, per rjc157's post.

 

[pkmh]

Dear Zayante,

This post, which I started many moons ago, is a bit of a blast from the past when I had my first Healey (claimed by Sandy in 2012). In fact, it has been so long, when I started reading this, I thought it was someone else discussing their dash removal! IT WAS ME!

By the way, my second Healey also used the same finish (Super High Glaze Two Part Epoxy Resin) but which I cut down using various grades of sandpaper and polish. Cutting down and polishing resulted in a much better quality finish than shown above, but as a pour-on application approach, results did not turn out that bad, I must say.

I will note here and now that as much as I try to be a purist in keeping my Healey all original, this is the only serious deviation I made for which I still have no regrets in doing.

As for removal of the oil sending unit, I too, made a custom socket (using a hose clamp as part of a "composite" application in removal). The details and a record sketch for that are revealed on one of my later posts, if you are interested in learning and or discussing more.

Finally and as a general note, I stressed then as I do now, that every care should be taken to carefully remove the sending unit, as well as putting back, to avoid damaging the probe, tubing, etc. There are other solutions discussed as to removal and reinstalling, as well.

Thanks,
Paul