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Triumph TR6 - re wiring a dash

I am a beginner in the world of TR6 restoration, but what I lack in knowledge I make up for in enthusiasm!

I am looking for some pointers with regards to a restore on a 76 tr6:

1: A good schematic of the wiring codes for the dash panel...some technical bulletin that will guide a novice to success?

2: Any good heads up stories as warnings before I go too far over my head?

Thanks

bob
Bob Craske

Bob,
I'd recommend that you invest $30 in Dan Master's Electrical Maintenance Handbook. His email is: DANMAS@aol.com He not only has complete schematics but lots of common sense discussion of electical malfunctions and successful fixes.
db
D R Baker

D.R

Thanks for the advice, this is the first I have heard of this publication in all of my searches, proves the power of this BBS!

B Craske

Go to the link below and click on 'Electrical'. It will give you wiring diagrams for all years of the TR6. (I believe Dan Masters is an author on this site.)

http://www.britishv8.org/techhome.htm
S.D. Cain

Bob
Welcome aboard.
First thing to do is what gooseman suggests. That is join this BBS. There is a current thread " An open message to all non-members" on the how to. Only about a couple of days of reading:) ARCHIVES of past threads is the point here.

Bob, where are u located in Ontario?

A few other good links:
http://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/index_technical.htm
http://www.vtr.org/maintain/index.html
http://www.torontotriumph.com/

Some current threads worth reading:
Pain in the butt stuff
How to get the old dash knobs off..

In the pain in the butt stuff, I made an offer to Doug B. re dash wiring drawings ( My post, April 30 16:25). Same offer to you.

Also.. http://www.the-roadster-factory.com/
Has 2 publications that break down literally every single piece of a TR6 ( down to the washer size). The green one is currently out of print but get the other one for now.....FREE buy the way.

There are a number of suppliers in Ontario (Toronto area). If you wish/need, this info, e-mail me of line. Also there are several shops that specialize in LBCs for repair.

As far as the rest of your questions...where to begin..... The questions back to you are, what exactly do you plan to do? I mean are you going to do a body off restoration? What do you think needs to be done immediately to drive her? How far do you want to go...a daily driver or show quality?

One immediate thing back to you is, You are probably going to pull the dash out to have it refinished. You are going to find a bunch of wiring back there:) LABEL every wire with masking tape and number every connection (use a magic marker not pencil). If you use the drawings I have, then simply use the numbers on the drawings. All gauges come out with the dash except the tach and speedo. They must be removed first before the dash will come out. Put all your little pieces in labeled containers/plastic zip lock bags. And if you have a digital camera..use it. It is always nice to have before and after pictures.

The most important thing is to have fun.
You will be amazed at the info in the ARCHIVES.

Oh ya...when you put the dash back together, by-pass the reostat and do not forget dielectric grease on the connections.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

When I took my dash out, I took a gauge or switch out of the dash and immediately rewired it and left it hanging there so I would know where each wire, cable, hose, etc. went. Of course this would work only if you are leaving the metal dash in.
S.D. Cain

To Rick and SD

Thanks for the help,

The car was purchased in 75% restore state (rolling but not with out me pushing it!)so I did not get the luxory of marking each wire as it was disconnected...too bad, thats the logical approach I too would have taken.

As it is I am awaiting Dans manual and have referenced others and surprisingly I mapped each wire in the bundle to a location in the dash...well, except for 4 long ones in the center of the dash that I am guessing belong to the switches on the gearbox. (dans guide may solve that puzzle)

BTW, if I bypass the rheostat, then how does one adjust dash lighting intensity?

Re Joining...I WILL...and yes, I am actually having fun putting humpty dumpty back together again (previous guy didnt label too many parts!) took 4 weeks just to inventory to figure what was missing.

Appreciate the help

bob



Bob Craske

There is no real need to dim the dash lights. They are not that bright in the first place.
Doug Campbell

I'll second that. I do not believe that there is any record of anyone having ever turned that little knob anywhere from full clockwise except to make sure that it was, in fact, turned full clockwise. But you will have to admit that it is a right handsome little knob and the dash would look much the worse without it.

Tony
A. J. Koschinsky

ok then, the 100% advice is to not hook it up, what do I do with those three wires? terminate them (cap) or what?

thanks
Bob Craske

I'm going to use my dimmer control as either a variable boost control or an MSD ignition retard controller. (That is after I get the supercharging kit installed.)

I'm just waiting for the minister of finance in my household to re-allocate funds from the housing commission back to the transportation dept.

John Parfitt
73 5 speed.
John Parfitt

John
good one..good chuckle:) Maybe a bribe or 2 would help:)

Bob: Doug and Tony make the point. My pet peave about the reostat is the fact that it is a potential fire hazzard under the dash and you will NEVER dim them. According to schematics for a '76 there are 3 Red/Whites joined together as one connection and a Red as the other connection to the terminals (2 only ) of the reostat. Simply join the R/Ws to the R wire. They must be joined or you will have no gauge illumination at all. A good soldered connection is first choice here with heat shrink.
Bob, no worry on not having the wires labeled. I stronly suggest you take me up on my offer to you. I do not have Dans' book so I do not know if the dash wiring is "detailed" or not. The drawing I have shows every dash wire numbered and colour coded. I was in the same boat as you. Mine was only 0% restored though....just taken apart with boxes and boxes of stuff and this multi leged creature called a wiring harness. I spent a great deal of time OHMing out every single connection from origin to destination. When power was put to the electrics I had only one problem and that was a bad rear light socket. A couple of tubes of DG was also used.
Your extra wires at the center of your bundle. You must have OD as you mention the switches on the top of the tranny. I am not sure if all 4 are for the OD or not. If I recall one is for the interlocks and one is for the solenoid. The other wires may be for the heater switch. OHMing them out will help solve the puzzle.
Glad to hear you are having fun.
Rick C
Rick Crawford

Rick,

I am not sure what your offer is specifically but am open to all offers and suggestions!

Thanks

bob (minister of finance and procurement)
Bob Craske

Bob
re read my post this thread May 12 12:42:42

Rick (Mr. Prime Minister)
Rick Crawford

This thread was discussed between 11/05/2004 and 17/05/2004

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