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MG TD TF 1500 - Remove TF tacho

I need to remove the tacho on the TF as a part of refurbishing the clock.

Can this be readily done by the 'old fashioned' way of spending 2 hours on my back with the hand-brake handle stuck in my ribs, dropping tools on my face and wishing I had fingeers with five joints and each finger blessed with a different tool end?

Or is it a case of accepting the inevitable; remove the dashboard and pull it forward?

Any advice or suggestions of effective tricks built from successful experience would be most welcome.

IanB
Ian Bowers

On my LHD TF the clock is attached to the speed/odometer not the tach. I have taken it out without removing the fascia. The small nuts that hold the speedo on the fascia are easy to loose!
David Werblow

When spending hours under the dash on the TD, I bite the bullet and take the bottom seat out.... not comfortable, but better then the alternative...don't know if that holds true for the TF or not....
Some of my most memorable moments (in later life) involve installing a heater under there, a set of speakers (and removing), checking the turn signal relay and checking the transmission fluid.....
gblawson(gordon- TD27667)

I find it easier to just remove the steering wheel and then the screws that hold the dash in place. You may have to remove some of the screws that hold the glove box hinge to the inner facia. Then with a pad on the steering column I lay the panel down and do all that is needed.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

Ian
You should be able, relatively easily, to remove the TF speedo/clock with dash in place. Be sure to disconnect battery, so you don't short something. Remove the underdash cover. The speedo is right. Remove the two knurled set nuts and remove the bracket that holds it into the dash. Remove the speedo cable and remove the bulb holder.
Out it comes from the front.

The TF and TD dashes are very different, and I'd venture to say the TF dash it more difficult to remove. Try NOT to do that.
Removing the tachometer should be a similar process.

And, removing the TF's seats is an easy process that gives you more room. Merely remove the two bolts at the front end of each runner, and out she comes.

Tom
'54 TF
Tom Norby

I'm with David on this one. It's actually easier than removing a speedometer on a late MGB.

First tip is disconect the battery leads. It's much to easy to do some unintended arc welding while poking around with the spanners back there. As David states, the clock is in the speedometer and if mounted correctly will be on the passenger side on the car. Get good lighting and assume the space shuttle launch position to gain access to the tiny nuts. Remove the cable, pull the lights from the sockets, remove the clock connection and then remove the nuts and lock washers. You can then remove the speedometer. The nuts and washers are very small so you might want to consider laying down some sheet plastic or a light coloured blanket across the floor and tranny tunnel before you begin. That would make it a lot easier to find the nuts and washers should you drop them. The worst part of the job will be keeping the ground wire loom connection on the stud when reinstalling the instrument.
I took my clock apart and discovered that that coil wiring was trash and just put it back together. It's correct twice a day.

Good luck.
LaVerne

Yes, Laverne,
That is just what I wrote, right above your post. Sometimes I feel invisible on this board.

Tom
Tom Norby

Sorry Tom. We must have been typing at the same time.

Couple of things though. I hadn't considered the under dash panel as I don't have one on my car. The TF instruments do not use the cradle bracket as found on the TD and MGB but instead have tabs attached to the case of the instruments and studs fixed to the center dash panel for mounting them. They are fixed with tiny hex nuts and not the knurled finger nuts.The instrument will come out from the back side , not the front. Removing the entire dash on the TF is a bitch. Removing the center instrument section is worse than just removing a single instrument.

Removing the passenger seat is an excellent idea.


LaVerne

Thanks, guys, that is really helpful!

I will report back after the w/e, if the fingers are still in working condition.

IanB
Ian Bowers

Hi Ian,
if you need the clock repairing try John Otick at jdo1.com. I have had two speedos recalibrated and a clock rebuilt by him. A very quick turnaround and a good job at reasonable prices.
I have no connection to him, I was recommended him by other members of the Octagon Club.

Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Deed done

Many thaks to you all.

Now to get it recalalibrated to take account of the 5 speed gear box which was installed a couple of years ago, and then off to Hal Kramer for the clock to have transistorised internals.

Winter jobs have already started!

IanB

Ian Bowers

This thread was discussed between 28/10/2010 and 30/10/2010

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