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MG MGA - dashboard guage fittings

How does one attach the chrome rings (bezels) for speedometer, tach, and others? I bought new bezels from Victoria British and they have small flanges that seem to line up with slots (cutouts) in the guage rim. Are these to be bent over somehow to hold them in place? None of my old bezels survived move of bsket case from Indiana to Idaho 14 years ago when I started this project.
Thanks,
Harley
Harley Johansen

Harley, with the rubber "square" o-ring in place the bezel should be a light press fit, just place it on the gauge case where the tabs line up and then give it a twist to place the tabs behind the ones on the case. Sort of like fitting a gas (petrol) cap.
Bill Young

OK, sounds too simple:) Thanks,
Harley
Harley Johansen

Harley,

I've not seen new trim rings before. All the old ones have the tabs already bent over, but the cases have slots that allow the trim rings to be removed without unbending the tabs. However, I've seen new cases that do not have the gaps in the case. I presume that is why the new trim rings don't come with the tabs already folded over. I've got no experience to help you with a good way to bend them appropriately. You shouldn't have to worry much about the ring being tight against the case, once the gauge is secure in the dash, the tabs should be firmly held between the rim of the gauge case and the dash.
Dave McCann

The new rings have the tabs but are not bent. I guess I need to carefully bend them toward the inside of the circle. Looks like a regular pliers will do it. Thanks,
Harley
Harley Johansen

There is a square rubber ring between the bezel and the glass. There is a fat O ring between the gauge and the dash. The square piece does not show in this page from Moss. http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=29271
The bezels are #19 & #22. The big O rings are #34 & #35.
I would bend the tabs with the rubber ring, lens and bezel in place on the gauge housing.
This picture shows a fuel gauge the glass lens and the chrome bezel. The rubber ring is still inside the bezel. If you look closely you can see the cracked rubber ring. If I try to take it out it will crumble into pieces. So just reassemble. The rubber into the bezel the glass into the gauge then all together.

R J Brown

RJ, Thanks. I had just come to the realization that a rubber ring is needed between bezel and glass, or it rattles. Problem I have is the square "o" ring sent by Victoria B. is smaller than the diameter of bezel, so difficult to hold in place. I will try to stretch it.
Harley
Harley Johansen

I never had much luck with the gaskets/o-rings. I even tried some from another source. On the other hand, I've never had much problem with the glass rattling.

I can see how it might be a problem. I'd probably use a bit of silicone before I spent too much time with poorly fitting o-rings. Just a little between the glass and the seat (either the reflector ring in the big gauges or the face assembly in the smaller gauges).

I don't think there's any need to try to make the gauge watertight (and possibly counterproductive).
Dave McCann

Mystery solved. The little tabs on the new bezels must be bent inward 90 degrees, then I found the old "o" rings to put inside the bezels, used the square rubber stretch rings for innermost position and it all works with no rattles. Now on to the dash installation and wiring.
Thanks all,
HJ
Harley Johansen

This thread was discussed between 27/01/2010 and 29/01/2010

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