Dashboard & Heater Bits

September 2005 - February 19th 2007.

Once all the under dash electrics was done, tested and tided up (which takes a long time!), the dash needed to be fitted. This, like the colour of the car is a personal preference. I wanted a durable, none sun glaring and practical dashboard. After much head bashing, me and the other half decided on leatherette dash for the interior. This is the finished effect. The outside was sprayed red to match. But first the holes needed cutting and drilling. The top vents needed a 65mm holes cut as per Marlin CD. Unfortunately, the measurements were wrong on the CD. So by chance, at one of the kit car shows, I found some plastic hose the size for the eye ball vents.

Also the holes for the fog, Hazard, Ignition switch, boost gauge and starter button needed cutting.

Little additions for the heater. The heater is slightly too big for the car. So a hole needs cut out or the aluminium panel need adjusting. We decide on both. John again to the rescue with this idea. the was three of us bashing ideas. Ian (Merlinman) another 5EXI builder helped with the idea and the folding machine. Cheers Ian!

It looks part of the car. The main part was folded into shape. Then the top and bottom parts cut out and stuck in with sealant. Then with a couple of bolts holding the unit, all fixed ok. Next addition for the heater was fixing the hater vent hose for the fresh air. managed to find this black pipe attachment at Wickes.

The other problem that has taken a while to sort out is the driveshafts. You may remember the replacement gearbox mount from Marlin. There have been a mixture of driveshafts used. I've tried al sorts!. The original 220 turbo ones, 420 diesel ones and a combination of the two. But the ones I needed up with was the short drive shaft from a 420 diesel (the 220 turbo one was too long). And the 800 turbo for the long one. Again not a simple process for this one. first problem, the spline to the hum was different. So the outer CV joint needed changing over with the good use of a club hammer. Then this was too long. so the whole engine/gearbox needed moving over as far over as possible to the passenger side. Took her for a drive and all seems ok.


	Dashboard & Heater Bits September 2005 - February 19th 2007. Once all the under dash electrics was done, tested and tided up (which takes a long time!), the dash needed to be fitted. This, like the colour of the car is a personal preference. I wanted a durable, none sun glaring and practical dashboard. After much head bashing, me and the other half decided on leatherette dash for the interior. This is the finished effect. The outside was sprayed red to match. But first the holes needed cutting and drilling. The top vents needed a 65mm holes cut as per Marlin CD. Unfortunately, the measurements were wrong on the CD. So by chance, at one of the kit car shows, I found some plastic hose the size for the eye ball vents. Also the holes for the fog, Hazard, Ignition switch, boost gauge and starter button needed cutting. Little additions for the heater. The heater is slightly too big for the car. So a hole needs cut out or the aluminium panel need adjusting. We decide on both. John again to the rescue with this idea. the was three of us bashing ideas. Ian (Merlinman) another 5EXI builder helped with the idea and the folding machine. Cheers Ian! It looks part of the car. The main part was folded into shape. Then the top and bottom parts cut out and stuck in with sealant. Then with a couple of bolts holding the unit, all fixed ok. Next addition for the heater was fixing the hater vent hose for the fresh air. managed to find this black pipe attachment at Wickes. The other problem that has taken a while to sort out is the driveshafts. You may remember the replacement gearbox mount from Marlin. There have been a mixture of driveshafts used. I've tried al sorts!. The original 220 turbo ones, 420 diesel ones and a combination of the two. But the ones I needed up with was the short drive shaft from a 420 diesel (the 220 turbo one was too long). And the 800 turbo for the long one. Again not a simple process for this one. first problem, the spline to the hum was different. So the outer CV joint needed changing over with the good use of a club hammer. Then this was too long. so the whole engine/gearbox needed moving over as far over as possible to the passenger side. Took her for a drive and all seems ok.