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MG MGB Technical - Advice please on replacing water/oil gauge.

Hi,
I have a 1968 MGBGT and I need to replace the oil/water gauge. Access to the gauge with the dashboard in situ seems to be so limited as to be impossible. So is there an easy way of releasing the dashboard and pulling it forward so I can gain access that way?
I’m learning how to work on the car so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike.

Mike Christie

Mike,
no easy way I'm afraid, best to just struggle on from below the dash. The gauge is held in place with a couple of thumb wheel nuts that hold a retaining clamp across the back of the gauge. Once this is removed the gauge should pull forward sufficiently to get a spanner on the oil feed. The water capillary will need to be pulled all the way back from/with the bulb in the cyl head.

Best of...
MGmike
M McAndrew

Thank Mike,
I feared this would be the only way!
Regards,
Mike.
Mike Christie

Mike,

Forgot to say.. If you still have the standard radio blank in place, removing that will help a little if you have small hands!

Best of...
MGmike
M McAndrew

Removing radio/blanking plate/fresh-air vents make it relatively easy but still needs smallish hands and dexterous fingers to get the washers and wheels on and off. For the 'far' ones you have to hold the washer/wheel between finger and thumb while sliding them past the oil and temp capilaries, great fun.

The thumb wheels also secure at least one earth wire, make sure those go back.
Paul Hunt

Also, if it's original, the water capillary will be held to the bulkhead on a 'p'clip along side the oil pipe. This routinely rusts into the bulkhead as the back side of the captive nut is open to the elements. This is sometimes harder to remove than removing the gauge itself!
Roadwarrior

Thanks for all your help.
I have a TD with the same type of gauge, removal of the dashboard to replace it requires unscrewing about six or seven screws. I cannot believe the the same engineers who designed the TD, designed this facet of the MGB!
Regards,
Mike.
Mike Christie

I'm not sure of your point. There are only half a dozen screws securing the dash of the MGB as well. But as the MGB doesn't need removal of the dash, it seems to me that it is an improvement.
Paul Hunt

Hi,
Just an update since I've now replaced the gauge. The easiest way seems to me to remove the speedo. This allows access the ‘wheel nuts’ holding the temp gauge. The speedo is fiddly to replace though.
Regards,
Mike.
Mike Christie

This thread was discussed between 17/06/2015 and 29/06/2015

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