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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Repurposed Gauge

As I have a Mazda 16v engine installed the dual gauge has become redundant. To keep the dash looking original(ish) i did this !

S Macfarlane

Nicely done.

Did you print a new face? The original would have two holes, wouldn't it?

What movement did you use?
Dave O'Neill 2

its a Caerbont "original" Smiths clock - they are actually a bit rubbish as the hands cant quite be lined up straight ie at 6 oclock as in the picture - not that it will notice.
I "photoshopped" the best image i could find and then printed it to size on a piece of card. I'm no whizz at this and think that with a bit more effort / practice I could do a better job
S Macfarlane

In fact there is a whole heap wrong with gauge, not just the hands, which is disappointing when you think that the so called Smiths gauge is twice the price of the Tudor one.
The bulb holder is in the wrong place and doesn't line up with cut out on the bracket. The result is that the bracket cant be positioned without it being perilously close to the +ve terminal.
If you rotate the bracket to the other side of the +ve then its directly over the earth......



S Macfarlane

Looks pretty professional to me, especially as it's an enlarged image.
Nice job, you have to look twice to realise it's not performing its original function.
Jeremy MkIII

thanks - yes you are right - held at arms length under normal lighting it looks a lot better!
S Macfarlane

It appears that what is needed to avoid electrical mishaps is a clamp such as I made for both of my cars ignition switches. The two grub screws either side of the switch, on the centre line of the clamp, hold the switch in tension against the dashboard.
An alternative option is to use a hose clip around the gauge.

Alan Anstead

Alan
That's exactly what I did with my ignition switch as the original wire clamp is almost impossible to fit with the dash in. But, in the case of a gauge, wouldn't it need slots in the sides of the casing similar to the ign. switch?
Bill B

Bill B
Once clamped on the gauge because of the tension and surface area contact your gauge should be held rigid.
Alan
Alan Anstead

I made a similar plate for holding my ignition switch. But it is a single piece that fits into the grooves either side of the switch. So doesn't need clamping screws, you just slide it into place and can do it without needing to see to align anything.
GuyW

Guy
My clamp is split with two bolts through it so it clamps on the circumference of any cylindrical object.
Alan
Alan Anstead

Hi Alan. Yes I seem to remember seeing your design in MASCot - didn't you do a write up on it,? There's also someone in USA who does a similar 2 piece clamping design one. I know by then I had already made mine but as it was a one-off for that specific purpose it didn't need the better adaptability of your design.
GuyW

I did write an article on it in Mascot & subsequently seen an advert from USA.
Alan Anstead

Alan
Ah, I misunderstood! My clamp is like Guy's so wouldn't readily adapt to gauges like yours would hence my query above.
Bill B

This thread was discussed between 04/02/2025 and 06/02/2025

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