Speedo Panels

[rogerotto66s]

Next project is the re-install of the original speedo panels.

8F4E62BA-3D78-485F-92B7-21E968FE96C2.png

The first thing I noticed was that I was about to install them upside down.
Looked logical with bend piece on top behind top dash rail.

So .. I checked the Newton Commercial site for install instructions and found this.

A9516358-32C8-4FDD-B13C-610B2D9FBFAD.png

Now would be a good time to offer advise before I do something I will regret!
Do I need to loosen/remove the instrument cluster to facilitate fitting the panels
Or do I just give a good push.

A08D7F6B-8523-46ED-8864-55E329AAD510.jpeg

Thanks in advance.
Roger

P.S. I had to google “draft excluder”!

[1071 S]

Hi Roger,

Yes, your picture is upside down..

You don’t “have” to remove the the shroud mounting plate ...but it does make things easier. The less you have to bend the panel the easier it will be.

I would not glue the ends around the door opening. The draft excluder (aka door seal will hold it in place and subsequent removal will be easier. Make sure you slide the panel all the way outwards.... having the mounting panel removed makes it easier to get you hand in to shove it into place....

Originally there was sound deadening behind this panel and if you install non original stuff you may find it difficult to get the panel far enough in to allow the speedo shroud to be screwed flat to the metal mounting panel.

Cheers, Ian

[1071 S]

Hi Roger,

Yes, your picture is upside down..

You don’t “have” to remove the the shroud mounting plate ...but it does make things easier. The less you have to bend the panel the easier it will be.

I would not glue the ends around the door opening. The draft excluder (aka door seal will hold it in place and subsequent removal will be easier. Make sure you slide the panel all the way outwards.... having the mounting panel removed makes it easier to get you hand in to shove it into place....

Originally there was sound deadening behind this panel and if you install non original stuff you may find it difficult to get the panel far enough in to allow the speedo shroud to be screwed flat to the metal mounting panel.

Cheers, Ian

PS You are going to straighten up the temp gauge, aren’t you

[1071 S]

Hi Roger,

Yes, your picture is upside down..

You don’t “have” to remove the the shroud mounting plate ...but it does make things easier. The less you have to bend the panel the easier it will be.

I would not glue the ends around the door opening. The draft excluder (aka door seal will hold it in place and subsequent removal will be easier. Make sure you slide the panel all the way outwards.... having the mounting panel removed makes it easier to get you hand in to shove it into place....

Originally there was sound deadening behind this panel and if you install non original stuff you may find it difficult to get the panel far enough in to allow the speedo shroud to be screwed flat to the metal mounting panel.

Cheers, Ian

PS You are going to straighten up the temp gauge, aren’t you

P2S. Be careful to route the oil gauge line way from the plastic speedo shroud .... it get hot and can damage the shroud....

[1071 S]

Hi Roger,

Yes, your picture is upside down..

You don’t “have” to remove the the shroud mounting plate ...but it does make things easier. The less you have to bend the panel the easier it will be.

I would not glue the ends around the door opening. The draft excluder (aka door seal will hold it in place and subsequent removal will be easier. Make sure you slide the panel all the way outwards.... having the mounting panel removed makes it easier to get you hand in to shove it into place....

Originally there was sound deadening behind this panel and if you install non original stuff you may find it difficult to get the panel far enough in to allow the speedo shroud to be screwed flat to the metal mounting panel.

Cheers, Ian

PS You are going to straighten up the temp gauge, aren’t you

P2S. Be careful to route the oil gauge line way from the plastic speedo shroud .... it gets hot and can damage the shroud....

[rogerotto66s]

Thanks Ian

#1
So... you are saying this is the correct orientation of the panels.
Then the tabs at the top are bent “up” and slip under the top dash rail.

36070418-4066-44C0-A7A2-EE6432345C0C.png

Would be nice if Newton Commercial pics had it positioned correctly.


#2
I used an older photo showing the temp gauge slightly askew.
I have since corrected it.


#3
Good info re: oil gauge line routing away from plastic shroud.
I will be sure to check.


#4
I have also replaced the single “rounded” head screw (upper right in photo) to be sure the shroud lays flat.


#5
I will be reusing the original sound deadening material and will be sure it sits properly so the shroud can lay flat.

[rogerotto66s]

Just found this on the Newton Commercial site.
This along with Ian’s comments should set me straight!


https://newtoncomm.co.uk/blogs/news/min ... eplacement

8D16DD57-8D9B-4A3D-B784-556468C6836F.png

[AndyPen]

I have just recently done these on a couple of our cars. If the metal support is at least unscrewed and loosened it makes it much easier... I tend to remove it including the brackets, but put the screws back in temporarily into the speedo to keep things lined up.

Also, if the panel is fitted slightly more centrally you can push it towards the outer edge of the car with less likelihood of damage. Mine were original ones so can't speak for the Newton ones in terms of exact fit, so can anyone confirm a good fit?

[rogerotto66s]

The Newton Commercial site and a YouTube video both show the panel installed after the black shroud is installed.
It looks easy on both!

I tried this since I am hesitant to push the shroud on since it is fragile and I already had to repair it.
I find it very difficult to push the panel in.

I am using the original “horsehair” sound deadening and the original panel for my 1966 “S”.

next I will try with the shroud off, binnacle screws loosened and the sound deadening pushed away from the binnacle.
Years ago I had difficulty removing the panel so I know I only have one shot at getting this in.

Any words of encouragement or warnings would be appreciated.

Not sure if the early minis had a different panel or not,
As you can see mine has extra material which does make it more difficult to push on.
I will try to position this extra material behind the binnacle.

8F6B4513-DAC6-41ED-9E8E-F83293AE7D07.jpeg