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MG MGB Technical - Plastic Dash Cover

I've been through the archives on this and still no help. I'm trying to install the dash cover (not entire dash) on my '68 mgb. It doesn't seem to fit right on front or windshield side of dash. I filed away some material from cover at the driver corner but can't get that side to stay. If I push in the passenger side, the cover bulges upward in the center. I tried some trial runs with tape, bungees, sticks, and straps, down front to rear but that makes cover lift off the back. I'm doing this with dash unhooked from the it's bolts and supported in mid-air on bucket. Seems no matter what I've tried the cover doesn't fit without some heavy pushing at front and heavy duty weight on the back but nothing eliminates the bulging. Would it be better to attach dash back in place with fasteners or am I just doing something terribly wrong? I've spent some hours playing with this but gave up for now. Any ideas from those of you that have done this before? I'm desperate to get this done so I can get started on the carpeting and such.
Don_d

Don,

There are some pictures of my dash cap installation on my website in the mgb restoration section, www.dbraun99.com. By all means, install the dash first solidly in the car. You may not be able to fasten all the little nuts along the upper edge... don't worry, leave the center ones out if you wish.

The earlier caps had the fwd section curved downward to match the curve of the original dash, something that is visible through the windscreen. I tried to find a source of the better formed dash cap, gave up, and heated the leading edge of the dash cap and bending it downward.

The instructions for the dash cap indicate that the sealant (a black RTV) adhesive is meant to be a gap filler as well. As such, a thick bead applied in areas you feel are thin, and then bracing it in place for curing is the ticket. Note that you don't need the adhesive everywhere, just in enough places to fit the dash cap.

Hope this helps,
dave
Dave Braun

I bought one. No way to make it fit. Checked with the supplier to make sure it was the supposed correct one. Gave up and use a glue called "Seal All" to bond the edges of the crack together. Not perfect but better.

K
K Hawkins

The dash cap on my car has stayed on there for years.
No problem.

Don't expect for them to pop on perfectly and fit like a glove
as they need a bit of "persuading".

First, test fit the cap on the dash and find the areas that need
any trimming, or areas that require extra hand pressure to fit
in place.

Clean the top of the dash and remove any polish or vinyl gloss
product. I actually rough-sanded the top of the dash as
well as the inside surface of the dash cap.

Run a few thick beads of black, automotive-grade, RTV
silicone on the back side of the dash cap. Go easy along
the edges as the silicone will tend to squish out and cause
a mess.

Slide both seats forward; adjust the seat backs straight up.

Carefully install the dash cap. Push in the cap fully home
and hold it in place by wedging a few scrap lengths of broom
handles, and dowels, and (important) squares of plywood
braced between the dash cap and the seat head rests.

The plywood scraps are used to distribute the force evenly
across the headrests, and also the dash cap - or else you
may damage the upholstery. I think I used 2-3 pieces of
broom handles and dowels per headrest.

Be sure the cap is positioned correctly. Adjust if needed.

Leave in place for at least 48 hours for the RTV to set
before removing the wood braces.
Daniel Wong

Thanks to all! I was beginning to lose hope that anyone would have answers. Currently, my MGB's interior is gutted, but a valid point is still made about using something to hold dash cover in place. I did do some cutting and filing on the dash cover because it was not an exact fit---no surprise there. As I siad in my original post, when I try to lay the cover on, there is need to push the driver corner into place as it is way out of wack. When you do that, then push on the passenger side, the middle of the cover bows upward. I didn't want to take a chance of ruining it by applying heat but that may be the final solution if bracing it in place doesn't work out. Thanks again!!
Don_d

This thread was discussed between 23/08/2013 and 29/08/2013

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