I'm trying to fit my oil, temp etc gauges to my dash, they're from a 1600e cortina I believe. They are of the spring retention type. Three slots in the dash, push in and turn 1/8th. I think I'm being thick cause they don't seem to fit right. The poke out at the front and the retaining spring is between the gauge and the dash leaving a big gap. Surely they must fit flush somehow.
Can anyone help? Photo of correct mounting procedure. I can't find anything any where.

That is correct, in the cortina, the moungting hole is recessed, so the spring sits in that recess and the chrome is flush with the dash surface.
The cortina GT had a painted dash and the chrome protruded, the E had a wood finish which resulted in a recessed chrome rim.

Ah ok thanks.