TR2/3/3A TR3A Dash Clamp Attaching Point

[Tinkerman]

Afternoon all, I had a nagging thought while I was finishing and installing the dash. You know, one of those little things I knew I was forgetting but couldn't figure what it was. I KNOW now! I forgot all about the dash clamp. The one that attaches to the steering column. I know it attaches to the end of the rod brace but not quite sure about the dash end. Is it a spire nut fastened with a flat head slotted screw? Can't find a reference to it in the parts book so any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tinkerman

 

[Moseso]

I just went out and looked at mine. There is a pan head machine screw, pointed up, and a nut on top of the brace, at the dashboard end of that thing. Be careful of excess length on the screw. It will foul the tach, if too long.

I kneeled in a wad of gum in the parking lot to check this out. Eeeww. Now I have to clean my knee.

 

[Tinkerman]

Thanks Moses, sorry about the gum! An ice cube is usually a quick way to get gum off of things. I really appreciate the sacrifices you go to, to help us out

Dick

 

[ekamm]

Here's a kinda blurry pick of what Moses was talking about.

 

[mallard]

Is that clamp also found on the early TR3s? I don't remember seeing one of those on mine.

 

[TR3driver]

I'm not certain, but I think it might have been added with the advent of the 'split' column. At least it wasn't on either of the solid column cars I've owned.

 

[angelfj1]

Eric: Great photo. Too bad none of the original literature had illustrations half as good as this!

Cheers

 

[Tinkerman]

Thanks for the photo Eric, blurry or not it showed me what I needed to know. It will now go into my BCF tips file for future reference.
I'm happy to say that the dash clamp is safely installed and I am now ready for the instrument cluster and wiring harness! YEA!
Interestingly enough installing the dash answered some of the questions I had about steering column position,heater position and so on.

Cheers, Tinkerman

 

[ekamm]

The only advise that I might give on the cluster is to use a wire nut to connect the bunch of black and red wires to a single wire and then attach them to their respective posts. I didn't but had see a picture of Don's and he had. It's a PITA to get them all into the holder and make sure that they are tight. I have before and after pics of the cluster if you need a reference. I printed one off enlarged used it as a guide for reattaching the wires, but I was only removing refurbishing and replacing not starting from scratch.

 

[Tinkerman]

As a matter of fact Eric, You had mentioned that point in a previous question about the instrument cluster. I took your suggestion and went that route. A much easier way of handling that problem. Guess maybe they didn't have wire nuts in those days.
Have a question on another subject for you. I know from your pictures that you used the Martx jig on the dog leg capping. Do you recall what angles you used to make those cuts with?

Thanks, Tinkerman

 

[ekamm]

No I questioned the same thing when I made it. I really just winged it. I put the leg against the board (3/4"ish) and marked where I thought that there were a few points that would touch it. I figured that I could adjust where I needed to, but it worked fine. Maybe Geo Hahn could give some dimensions or I'm sure that a number of people have done it by now. I took the jig idea a little further and used it on the door cap as well. That worked really well too as there are a number of steps involved. My only mistake there was that I thought it wold be a good idea to use a dowel to just slight ly protrude through the 3 holes in it. That worked really well till I got to the second one and had to move the dowel as the were not lined up due to being left and right sides. ( oh well)