Instruments
The instruments were all complete and very original - BUT they were corroded into place, the nuts were very tight and were hard to get out - the dashboard had to be dismounted.
All the instruments were taken apart for cleaning and this was done between Dec 2003 and Mar 2004
as found - my first sight of the "control room" through a grubby window - very dirty and with 25 years plus of corrosion
not quite so bad when viewed directly - at least the instruments haven't been butchered!
speedo shows 78,886 miles, which could well be correct
. . . and after a bit of a cleanup
back of speedo after a clean-up and paint; wire holding reset knob should be a screw. Note that the securing nuts are 3BA thread
the clock escapement in close-up. Cleaned and responded well to gentle lubrication
the clock in pieces - will it ever go again?
clock dial after light cleaning and clear varnish spray - be careful to use an enamel-type varnish and NOT an automotive spray.
The finished article - cleaned and oiled and ticking happily (can you hear it?)
Regulation proved a problem -- until I realised that the adjuster (accessed behind the rotating cover on the back) wasn't actually moving the real regulator. There is a friction device between the two levers which on my 70 year old clock wasn't sufficient to overcome the friction in the adjuster itself.
Thoughtfully, the real regulator can be accessed by rotating the cover even further, until you can see the escapement working. This is the arm at about 5o'clock - be very very careful here as a false move could wreck the tiny hairspring. Move to the right to speed up the clock.
next was the oil pressure gauge - just a clean-up and dial clean and clear enamel spray brought it back to life.
The mechanism was quite clean inside and only needed cleaning
next came the ammeter - just cleaned externally as it would have been very difficult to take apart.
the back of the ammeter just has two connections; just reverse them if the ammeter reads the wrong way
the petrol gauge (6 gallons) was a sad sight as the needle had corroded off and there was extensive corrosion inside however . . .
. . the needle was taken off a similar gauge and after a clean-up it seemed to be OK. It was then tested using the overhauled sender unit
and the reassembled instrument panel
and after painting the surround in September. The metal panel was just wiped over with 3-in-1 oil
January 2007:
The original speedometer needle kept on sticking against the lower end-stop due to condensation inside creating rust sufficient to prevent the needle moving off the stop.
so a brand new speedometer was fitted - this also had the later speed limit marking and the white numerals are not faded. Mileage was reset to that of the original speedometer.
April 2007:
To keep an eye on the revs, an 80mm rev counter was fitted and the dual gauge keeps an eye on the water temperature and oil. The extra lamp is to indicate when the headlight head beam is in use.
this is the temperature gauge capillary plumbed into the header tank