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MGB Removing a speedometer

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Coastalman

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First, I'd like to thank all the forum members who have been helping me as I sort out my '77B. My latest task is to replace the glass in my speedometer . Is there any simple way to remove the instrument? My wife has tried to get her slender hand up under the dash to unscrew the knurled nuts, but cannot reach them. Do I have to take the dash apart to get to the speedo?
Thanks,
Charlie
 
with the Midget which is even smaller the easiest solution is to take out the driver's seat and lie on your back. You still need to be a contortionist but at least you can see.
 
I just read on another site that the '77-'80 MGBs were twist out speedo and tachs. Does anyone have information on that? I had never heard of that.
 
Coastalman said:
I just read on another site that the '77-'80 MGBs were twist out speedo and tachs. Does anyone have information on that? I had never heard of that.
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I've never heard of that - I had a 1977 and I'm pretty sure it had the traditional knurled nuts on the back. A small articulated inspection mirror would be able to confirm that. I've gottem them out before - removing the instruments makes it easier to get the nuts that hold the dashboard itself in place free. If you can get your hands to the back of the tach, removing it first might let you reach in through that opening to get the speedo loose.
 
You don't have to remove the speedo to replace the glass! You just twist the bezel and it'll come off....then the glass comes out. Installation is the reverse :smile:
It's been a long time since I replaced mine but I *think* you rotate the bezel clockwise (maybe 20-30 degrees or so?) to remove it. It may take a bit of effort since it's been on there for a long, long time..
 
You don't have to remove the speedo to replace the glass! You just twist the bezel and it'll come off....then the glass comes out. Installation is the reverse

Yes Like Joe Reed said... ... I tried and this worked on my 74'B
 
I have run into a problem with twisting the rim and glass off. The glass has a small black rod coming through the glass at the bottom to reset the tripometer. I think that's what it is called. That rod will not allow me to twist the glass. The rim seems to be bonded with the glass.
 
Hey, Charlie -

The glass and rim have a tiny seal, like an o-ring; probably has become one with them. Might help to spray some solvent lightly around the inside edge of the rim and see if that loosens things up.
 
Thanks Mickey! Another item has popped up. There are so many "items" on this '77 B! I have found out that this year B's radiator should not have a radiator cap and the overflow is routed to a tank. Well, my B must have had the radiator replace at some point because mine had a cap on it and the overflow is just a tube that is draining under the car. The result of that is that I am having to replace coolant often. Can you, or anyone, recommend an overflow reclaiming tank that I can get to correct the loss of coolant?

Charlie
 
Coastalman said:
Thanks Mickey! Another item has popped up. There are so many "items" on this '77 B! I have found out that this year B's radiator should not have a radiator cap and the overflow is routed to a tank. Well, my B must have had the radiator replace at some point because mine had a cap on it and the overflow is just a tube that is draining under the car. The result of that is that I am having to replace coolant often. Can you, or anyone, recommend an overflow reclaiming tank that I can get to correct the loss of coolant?

Charlie
Click to expand...

Sounds like someone installed a radiator from an older MGB (which would have also involved modifying the support structure - I had a 1977 years ago and had to do the same thing to get a radiator with a cap installed) or found a close enough fit radiator from a different vehicle to make it work. I have an earlier car now that has the old school cap and overflow - I am also interested in knowing if there is any kind of solution for fitting a recovery tank since venting coolant to the ground gets expensive.

The "make it work" solution would be some zip ties and a used coolant jug, but I'd prefer something more permanent.
 
Coastalman said:
Will this work with a radiator that already has a cap on it? I did look at that in the Moss catalog.
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That is the correct tank for the capless radiator that would have come with the late year cars - I'm not sure it will work like a "normal" recovery tank because it has a pressure cap on it where regular recovery tanks are vented to atmosphere.
 
I was able to get the tach out with the help of my young and limber step son. I does twist out. There are three tabs that line up with three slots and allow the instrument to move forward. Looking at the meter, it must turn about one inch clockwise for this to happen. Now I have a better access to the speedometer which is the instrument that I wanted out to start with. While I have all this access I am going to replace the clock with a volt meter and the heat gauge with an aftermarket gauge that actually reads the degrees of heat. Then it all has to go back together.

Charlie
 
Coastalman said:
I was able to get the tach out with the help of my young and limber step son. I does twist out. There are three tabs that line up with three slots and allow the instrument to move forward. Looking at the meter, it must turn about one inch clockwise for this to happen. Now I have a better access to the speedometer which is the instrument that I wanted out to start with. While I have all this access I am going to replace the clock with a volt meter and the heat gauge with an aftermarket gauge that actually reads the degrees of heat. Then it all has to go back together.

Charlie
Click to expand...

Are you going to keep the original clock? I'm planning on eventually using the radio slot in my 1970 as a guage pod to add a voltmeter, if you have no use for the clock I'd consider buying it from you since the 1970 never had one.
 
Coastalman said:
I do need to get to it after the speedo comes out so it might be a week before I can get to it
Click to expand...

I am in no rush - I don't have any interior in the car yet (just a bare metal tub at this point) so take your time!! Plus I have to find someone with a 3D printer to make the radio slot gauge holder anyway...
 
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