Thank you to all who helped me !

[brucelee34]

Thank you, I really mean it. Thanks to all your help I now have working interior lights and a working map light. It's those little things that make you feel better and when everything works it is more satisfying.
I have documented all I did when I installed the dash, swapped the b18 for a b20, changed clutches etc and I will make sure that if a question ever comes up I can help with I won't hesitate to reply.
It's boards like this one that keeps classics like ours on the road, legal and worth buying.

Thank you all

Paul

[BrockyV70Turbo]

Hi Brucelee.
I am new to this forum aswell. I have also found ppl here very helpful. By just asking, I have been given answers. And when the new parts arrive Monday, that will hopefully sort it out for me.

[Alan Beckett]

Paul,

Happy to be of assistance - this is what the forum is all about.

I have a new dashboard to install in my car - how difficult is it to do with the winscreen still in place?

How difficult is it to get the windscreen out without breaking it? My screen leaks on the passenger side, so the seal could do with replacing. Answers / suggestions (not necessarily on a postcard) gratefully accepted.

Cheers

Alan

[brucelee34]

Alan, I removed the dash with the windscreen in place. Once you have removed all the instruments which as you know are easily accessable its a matter of undoing the two (sometimes fiddly) bolt on the very left and right and some simple screws. All I did was start from the left and work to the right removing all screms and bolts etc. Of course, the hard part was the Steering but I left the wheel attached to the column and undid it down by the pedals and underneath the dash. I then could pull it out in it's entirety. When I took out the dash I could not simple "pull" it as it is a tight fit so I let the dask drop at an angle and then pulled gently upwards which relased one side and then simply pulled forwards. Putting the dash back in was a lot easier although putting the Steering rubber and clamps in was very hard but maybe that was just me.
As a first attempt I found it relatively easy to do and I guess it will be the same for you.
I will have another look at my installation again and see if I missed something.
Also, I still have the removed dash and if they can be recovered and someone wants it then it's free to a good home!

[B20F]

The windscreen is not that difficult to remove and won't break easily. The difficult part is removing AND fitting the trim in the window rubber without getting kinks in it. Often the leaking is due to rust under the rubber, be sure that there's no rust and that you clean the surrounding very carefully before fitting the rubber.
Here is a howto for the window trim:
First, be sure the groove into which the trim belongs is relatively
clean - run a popsicle stick or similar around the perimeter.

Next, stuff a length of 10 gauge wire into the groove - all the way -
so that this part of the seal is 'open.' Use a wire that's long
enough to open more than half the seal (so the wire and the opening
are longer than the trim you're going to install).

Fit the trim. You'll have to wiggle it around to get it located -
focus first on the outboard (vertical) edge. Pull the trim toward
the outboard side of the window opening. Wiggle (the trim, not
yourself) as you pull. When it won't pull any further, locate the
upper and lower ends of the trim. Be sure the trim is fitting into
the groove.

Once the trim is started in the groove, pull the wire away from the
trim SLOWLY. This isn't the same process as installing the seal into
the car, which requires pulling the seal around the car's window
opening - with the trim, you're just pulling the wire out of the
groove so that the trim can fully seat. As you pull, follow with
your other hand a couple inches behind, and press the trim firmly
into the slot. If you have another set of hands, use them to press
lightly against the trim forward of the exiting wire.

The corners are trickiest - you have to pull the wire away from the
perimeter of the seal while pulling the trim toward the perimeter of
the seal. It won't move readily, but it will move.

Don't forget the center bits that cover the ends of the larger side
pieces.

The second side is just like the first.

PS;
a new front windscreen for the 1800 isn't that expensive. A tinted one is about €110, at least here in Holland. Bit expensive to ship though....

[Alan Beckett]

Bruce / B20F

Thanks for the advice on dashboard / windscreen removal and fitting.

It's great to have the forum back with access to the accumulated knowledge that is out there!

Alan