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"I didn't think that was going to fit!"
"I didn't think that was going to fit!"
The inner dash panel kinda looks like a shark. It kinda didn't look like it was going to fit in the scuttle either!
Reassured by Richard at GBS that it would fit once it was installed in the correct plane, we set about bending all the tabs over. It's important to get the bend flush with the panel so it fits snugly.
It also didn't look like it was going to fit the dash we got second hand. More on this later!
Take your time bending the tabs up
Believe it or not, it does fit!
The general consensus was that the inner dash panel should be riveted to the scuttle. The edge trim would then cover up the rivets. In our quest for neatness, we decided we would try and just bond it in as we didn't like the idea of the edge trim wiggling over rivets, countersunk or not!
A load of clamps and a sheet of greaseproof paper (the PU adhesive just won't stick to it) later... The inner dash panel appears to be bonded in and seems to be holding up ok!
Our dash came from a Ford kit, so there was some befudgery with the Dremel to make it fit around the Mazda steering column. We also had to trim it to fit inside the newly shaped scuttle.
We are going to have the original Mazda stalks etc. on for IVA. This means utilising the original Mazda surround for the steering column. It actually fits surprisingly well just in front of the dashboard, it only required a very minor trim with a Stanley knife!
Kathryn just adding the finishing touches to the column surround. We bought the carbon dash and Smiths Flight gauges second hand, so they are already installed in there. They are a touch low in the dash but you can just see them over the steering column surround. Phew!
And there you have it. The dash dry-fitted.
We have a strip of vinyl from Intatrim to stick over the inner dash panel to cover the gap between it and the edge of the scuttle. That'll go in once the scuttle is painted. Should look smart!
The dash did require trimming a bit to fit as well... Even though ours was from a gen. 1 Ford we held it against the one that came with our kit and it was the same shape. The power file soon took care excess and it now fits a treat. We added some bonding fixings and there you have it! Another job done.
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