Body/Trim: 140: Fixing an early 140 dash pad

[Dylan144GT]

Hi Everybody

I am going to be fixing my dash pad as it cracked when I wanted to add a dash pod tacho. Its horrible and its time I did something about it.

Does anybody know how to contrast stitch? I want to fix my dash by first fibreglassing it straight and then covering it in vinyl. I want to stitch it at the ends of the dash where the grab handle is and then where wiper controls are. Will make this the project thread. Just doing a bit of research at the moment. Any advice and thoughts welcome!

Attached is an example of the contrast stitch if you need an idea of the stitching pattern.

Dylan

[john h]

Dylan,

I'm no expert, but I think this is done by stitching both of the two top pieces that you want to join to a separate strip underneath. The ends of the top peices are folded over first of course, to create the neat edge.

Good luck; this could be tricky to do neatly!

John

[skidje]

But Dylan would be much better of with a new pad. Can hardly imagine that this stitching will bring anything decent!

[john h]

Originally Posted by skidje

But Dylan would be much better of with a new pad. Can hardly imagine that this stitching will bring anything decent!

Are RHD dash pads available new?

John

[Dylan144GT]

Hi Joseph and John

This is the exact problem I face, RHD dashes are not available new. Or should I say I have never seem one and I have done a great deal of searching! The other side is that I'd probably not be able to afford a new dash at this stage. All cars being broken have also not had dashes that are in tact that I have looked at. I have the vinyl and I recon I could do a decent job of it. Its worth a try as far as my position goes and all I know is that I have to get rid of that damn hole in my dash! As usual, my ears are open to other suggestions!

Dylan

[john h]

Dylan

This worth a try? Fairly cheap as a temp fix.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-...Q5fAccessories

The top of the dash is the same for LH and RH drive isn't it?

John

[Dylan144GT]

Ok Everybody

This is what we did on Saturday!

Had to remove the dash which took about an hour and a half. The only complication came in with the shear off bolts holding the steering columb to the dash. The solution was to neatly cut a 1.5mm deep slit into the underside of the bolt with a hacksaw blade and then to screw it out the opposite direction to usual! They are clearly visible when you remove the instrument cluster.

Then the actual pad was removed from the dash structure itself. A friend of mine sewed up a two trapezoidal pieces of vinyl at the short ends. The long non-sewn ends were measured to be the circumference of the inside and outside of the dash pad.

The cracks were grinded down so that they weren't proud anymore and then body filled. Once sanded down and cleaned with acetone one layer of fibreglass was put down to ensure the shape of the pad remained uniform in the future and added a bit of strength.

We then applied the vinyl on the outside of the pad and lined up the stitching at the ends. The nightmare was about to begin in that it was nigh impossible to get the vinyl stretched evenly over and around the corners. Perseverance and the help of a heat gun paid off though and the end product turned out as you see it. I will post a better image of the finished product tomorrow, I ran out of time to take pictures.

All in all I think it was very successful. Obviously an uncracked dash is first prize but thats the price you pay for being young and wanting to mount a "race look" dash-mounted tacho(unoriginal) onto a sunbaked dashpad! I could kick myself! Anyway, I recon this is a far cry better than the black hole that used to spoil my interior!

Dylan

P.S. If anyone wants measurements or has further questions, I can post them.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Dylan144GT

Ok Everybody

This is what we did on Saturday!
that used to spoil my interior!

Dylan

P.S. If anyone wants measurements or has further questions, I can post them.

Brill like new.
Regards
Mike B

[john h]

Excellent, well done!

John

[jeanette2803]

Originally Posted by Dylan144GT

Ok Everybody

This is what we did on Saturday!


All in all I think it was very successful. Obviously an uncracked dash is first prize but thats the price you pay for being young and wanting to mount a "race look" dash-mounted tacho(unoriginal) onto a sunbaked dashpad! I could kick myself! Anyway, I recon this is a far cry better than the black hole that used to spoil my interior!

Dylan

P.S. If anyone wants measurements or has further questions, I can post them.

That is an absolutely wonderful piece of work! congratulations! I'm jealous....my dash has got a horrible crack too....but my car is actually so ugly that it's cute... Own a 240 estate too, but the 140 "feels"better...can't explain...

Anyway, I will keep your post in mind when and if I get to tackle my dashboard.

grtz