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MG MGA - Updated Instrument Panel

I am looking for information on instrument panel gauges. What I wish to do is upgrade to newer more reliable type gauges. I have 2 panels and would like to display the stock panel and upgrade a new panel.
I would like to hear from anybody who may have done this. There are a lot of aftermarket suppliers however most are not very helpful when it comes to MGA. My car is a 1956 with an 1800 engine.Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Lar
L E Marchand

If your guages are rebuilt, they are very reliable and probley better than an electric unit.
JEFF BECKER

Lar,

What your asking may be better answered in the MGB conversion section of this website. Most people there have a pretty good idea of aftermarket gauges that can be used in your MG.

I have had the opertunity to change gauges out in many modded cars but prefer stock gauges for the appearance.

FWIW,

-BMC.
BMC Brian McCullough

The original Smiths or Jeager gauges are in my opinion just as good as modern electronic units unless you really need an unusually high degree of accuracy. Changing the panel for display would be a real PITA I would think, with all the electrical hookups needed. Most modern gauges use electrical sending units, unlike the original gauges with the mechanical hookups, so for a conversion you'd have to remove the temp sensor bulb from the engine and install a sending unit in that opening, remove the oil pressure line from the engine and install a sending unit, and then hook up the wiring necessary to connect the sending units to the gauges. For a modern fuel gauge, you'd have to find and calibrate a sending unit to match the gauge that would fit the tank. One other problem is finding gauges that are the same diameter as the original parts. Most of the modern gauges are either slightly smaller in diameter or quite a bit larger which would require modification of the dash panel and loss of the recess that is stamped in to each gauge mounting. I don't think you'd be disappointed with the gauge performance if you just have your existing gauges refurbished by someone like Nisonger http://www.nisonger.com/
Bill Young

Hi Guys regarding the answers to my question, What Im looking for is a supplier that can supply me with an alternative to what I already have because as I would prefer to change as a matter of personal choice> As far as what to do and how to do it I work as a mechanic and have done so for the past 35 years. As far as the comments about the original gauges I agree that they are great as mine work perfect however I would like to change the look.
Brian thanks for the info on the MGB conversion section I was not aware of it.
Where I live and work most people are more into changing for the sake of being original. I love the car but really find the dash to be boreing. And I can always change it back.
Bill thanks for the link to Nisonger I have other cars that require attention and will check them out.
Thx Lar
L E Marchand

I guess I don't understand - are you wanting to make your MGA dash a digital dash rather than the original analog guages?
Steven B

Lar, far be it from me to say anyone shouldn't modify their car (V6 midget and I6 MGA) but what struck me was your idea of changing dashes between show and go. That's a lot of work! Of course it can be done if you're up to it.
Do you want to retain the round gauge look on the new dash or go to a more modern look with digital gauges. If the latter then I'd say build a new panel rather than modify a stock piece. That's what I did for my Midget in order to add an oil temp gauge and change the switch gear. (Photo 1) You might consider something like the dash Harrison Manell did for his MGA V6.(Photo2) I just can't see the changing from original to custom being very practical in actual application.


Bill Young

All I really Wanted was to know if anybody had done this and if they had who did they use for a supplier?
L E Marchand

Have a look at http://www.greengauges.com/

It should give you some ideas what can be done. They let you design your own gauges. You can specify things such as dial colour and rim design. I have not used them myself but they have been around for a number of years. Any change to modern types will require changing the sensors, and the speedometer and rev counter will also probably also be electronic. You could struggle to find a new version of the dual gauge.
Malcolm Asquith

Sorry about the posts, I got off track from your original question for sure. Bill Guzman at Classic Conversioneering uses gauges from TPI http://www.tpigauges.com/ in his conversions. Looks like they have gauges the right size for the MGB dash shoud work equally well for the MGA.
Bill Young

Thanks a lot
Thats what i was looking for I probably didn't explian myself.
Keep up the great site.
Lar
L E Marchand

Lar,
It sounds like Malcom has the best answer for you, as you are looking to update the appearance of the dash. Even though you are a mechanic, I think that you'll agree that to convert to electronic is not worth the effort. I don't know of anybody who needs the high degree of accuracy that electronic would give, nor do I know of anybody who has calibrated their electronic gauges to the level of accuracy that they can give. I also think that you'd be better off replacing the dash panel as Bill has suggested.
mike parker

This thread was discussed between 25/12/2007 and 02/01/2008

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