Europa TCST

[GavinT]

A situation ripe for modification...

[TurboFource]

Gavin 

[dakazman]

  I agree, but I call them Pushpins. They are very devious devices.
  Turbo,
  Take your time, I don't intend to drop the column again but the comunity would apprieciate it.
 Dakazman

[TurboFource]

The struggle continues  …. First challenge in getting the dash out was the darn interior light switch/dash bracket bolts were rusted and required persuasion to get out, and the dash to chassis bracket bolts broke off   The bolts holding the dash to body wouldn’t come loose either …. Guess it is a good thing I decided to change the dash before driving as it basically fell apart, which did facilitate removal  (at the first turn who knows what the steering wheel would have done    )

It is out … let the fun continue …. I think I need a 

[BDA]

That's really out! As I remember, you weren't going with a wood dash. What are you doing for the dash?

[TurboFource]

It will be wood BDA

[dakazman]

  Turbo, sorry I can't help you with a template for a TC, I just have S2 Versions both in various stages. Maybe someone has an outline of a wood dash for a TC out there. I can send you a paper tracing if needed and you can modify as needed.
Dakazman 

[BDA]

Some of the older members will find this advise from me repetitious to the point of monotony.

Randy who used to run Prestige Autowood told me the reason he finished with polyurethane the back and all the edges is that it keeps moisture from getting into the plywood and starting its degradation. My Prestige Autowood dash looks as good as when I got it almost 30 years ago.

[TurboFource]

Removed the stuck dash to body bolts today, removed the mounting brackets etc from the original dash, removed the heater controls and soaking them to remove the rust. One of my dash vents is messed up as critters lived in it and created a rust spot that expanded and made it a complete PITA to remove the retaining ring (anyone have a spare?) and it has a rust hole in it

[TurboFource]

Finished gluing down raised outer edges of dash with diluted Titebond II with an adhesive syringe. Grafted in piece of veneer from the old dash at right lower chassis mount area.

Glued down raised middle areas by making sure edges did not overlap and there was a hairline gap by running Exacto blade along cracks. This allowed room for the glue to get in and get squeezed out. Glued down with thin superglue and clamped for a couple of minutes. Used wax paper between wood block and dash when clamped so the glue wouldn’t stick to it. Then sanded with 1000 grit. Ready for clear.

Painted back and edges to seal.

[BDA]

Very nice restoration! 

[TurboFource]

3 coats of Helmsman UV resistant clear satin Spar Urethane.

[TurboFource]

More rust … 
Not sure I trust the heater core even if it tests ok for that moment in time 

Maybe a modern heater core would be more efficient too ….

[BDA]

I might have a radiator shop check out the heater core. The rust comes from the enclosure and should be simple to fix for someone with your skills!

[TurboFource]

The problem is finding a radiator shop these days …..I can fix the minimal rust through but it’s another thing to fix …. Sigh