Dash Options

[Guest joni]

Hello everyone, now graduated and back from Uni I have been working on my 2b and gettingfinishing touches done ready for the SVA. Having had the help of the Thames Valley crew I've now finished nearly all the jobs they told me I would need to do. The final thing is to sort out the dash. I was planning on using the fiesta dash that comes with the Auto Sparks wiring loom, but it looks pretty horrible and doesn't have a rev counter.

 

I was hoping for some advice on the different options for dash installation, how easy they are to do, and what other additional parts (like speedo cable conversions etc) I mihgt need that owuld put cost up. The NW hoddies site has a good section on dash options, but doesn't say how difficult they are to implement or whats required.

 

I was looking at some Smiths gauges from an MGBGT which my mate would sell in a set for about £30 which seemed pretty cheap. Otherwise was thinking of a digital dash like the one on this link- http://www.acewell-meter.com/pro4.asp?id1=10 - but don't know how difficult it would be to sort out.

 

So, if anyone has put gauges in their car which are no the sierra or fiesta jobs, but are either digital or seperate ones like Smiths jobs, please let me know what the easiest option is to go for, where to buy from, any other bits I might need etc so I know what to start bidding for on Ebay!

 

Thanks, Joni

 

PS Hi to the Thames Valley crew!

[Guest joni]

Just a little extra bit... seen an escort mk1 dash on ebay

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ford-Escort-mk1-6-di...1QQcmdZViewItem

 

Looks pretty neat, anyone know whether the gauges come out of the binnacle to be mounted seperately, whether the speedo cable will match the one from my pinto/ where an adaptor can be sourced, whether the speedo reads correctly, generally whether it can be made to work?

 

Cheers

[Guest salty_monk]

It's not a Fiesta clock unit... it's a MK5 Escort one although I admit it's possible they are a common part.

 

One with Rev counters are very common at the scrappy if that's all you're worried about. It's also possible to fit a VDO or similar rev counter, lots on Ebay.

 

You could use a bike speedo & buy separate clocks off ebay for the rest, the speedo is the tricky bit because of the connection but all the other clocks are cheap enough!

 

A light bar from one of the kit car suppliers (warning lights) is also not to expensive.

 

Dan

[Longboarder]

Buying separate instruments is no problem. Wiring can be fun. Couldn't be bothered tidying up!

 

Nigel

[Graham B]

Yes looks like the back of mine too.

I have a set of CA guages. Wiring wasnt that difficult.

Just start with the Haynes wiring picure and trace the wires back to the sender units.

 

Graham

 

TV Hoods

[Guest joni]

Thanks for the quick replies chaps.... I want the dash to look like its got proper seperate gauges so they won't be fiesta or whatever ones though.

 

Was either thinking of MGBGT, escort MK1, or mini ones. Has anyone fitted these and found whehter they work OK? I'm mainly worried that something like the speedo won't increase at the correct rate when its running at a different RPM to the car it was originally fitted to, or that it willneed an expensive adaptor etc? Anyone know about these?

 

http://www.quadtech.co.uk/index.php?sectio...;product_id=245

 

Also has onyone fitted one of these, and know whether its easy to kake it work, and if it's SVA compatible?

 

Cheers Jon

[Snapperpaul]

Most of the problems with fitting non Ford gauges to ford engines seems to be the senders,the gauge needs the senders it is designed for and will pobably not work with other senders unless you are lucky.

 

SVA is only concerned with the acuracy of the speedo.

[Guest Rich_T]

Have a look at the Mk1 Mondeo dash, the speedo cable fits straight on and works to the same ratio as the Sierra ones. Also the individual guages are round so could be finished with chrome rings from someone such as SVC. There was a set on ebay earlier that I noticed

[Guest MrSandman]

I have a spare capri dash. All one unit but separated similar to escort mark one. It has speedo, tacho, temp, oil press (capilary not electric), fuel and volts.

Hidden behind a dash front with seperate holes cut, it looks like separate clocks.

It has the plug with it and I have a wiring diagram.

Let me know if you are interested.

[steve in stockport]

try the mazda mx5 dash - westfield are doing an mx5 based 7 and the dash looked very good on the show car at harrogate

has speedo, rev counter, oil press, water temp and fuel

 

Steve

[Guest joni]

Looks like I'm going with the Capri dash. Does anyone know if they do different variants on the oil pressure. Ideally I wanted an electric fed one as thats what my wiring is set up for. Otherwise what is the capillary option like to fit and where does it go on the engine? If it is easy enough to make the swap I might be interested Mr Sandman, where are you based?

 

Jon

 

Also has anyone got or know where to get a white dial kit for Capri clocks?

[Guest MrSandman]

Looks like I'm going with the Capri dash. I might be interested Mr Sandman, where are you based?

 

Near Doncaster, so a fair way from you. Having said that, I have a friend in Southam who I visit fairly often. I could leave them with him if it helps.

[Guest joni]

That could be really good cheers for the reply... I've got a day off tomorrow so I'm going to have a quick look in a few of the local breakers and see if I can get one straight away but will let you know ASAP. By the way how does the oil pressure gauge get installed, is it a big deal, should I be looking at an electric one instead if its easier? If that is even an option with capri clocks....

[Guest salty_monk]

Take a look at http://nw.rhocar.org/build%20tips1.htm if you haven't already.

 

http://nw.rhocar.org/dashboards.htm might be useful to you too....

 

Dan

[Guest joni]

I'd seen the Capri installations page on the NW page already and thought they looked really smart- thats why I decided to go with the Capri gauges. Cheers for the wiring link will be really useful Dan!

 

Mr Sandman, those Capri clocks would be good. I've had a little look on Ebay as well, when are you likely to be visiting your mate in Southam, and how much do you want for them?

 

Anyone know where I can get a white dial kit for a Capri from?